Paul Hébert is currently the Editor-in-Chief of CMAJ, Canada’s top scientific journal focused on publishing medical knowledge that matters. Dr Hebert has rebuilt CMAJ’s editorial team and the journal’s editorials, reviews and research contributions raise major health and social policy concerns. Through his editorial direction, CMAJ regularly enjoys high profile media coverage and is able to have significant public policy influence. Working with the President of CIHR and a scientific advisory committee, Paul Hébert formulated a nationwide strategy for patient-oriented research. With respect of his own research, Dr. Hébert has conducted seminal research in transfusion practices and blood conservation and he established a nation-wide clinical research program in critical care, mentoring many young scientists.