Canada’s Newest Research Institute Unveiled in Thunder Bay
Thursday, December 13, 2007
This morning, Canada’s newest research institute
was unveiled at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences
Centre (TBRHSC).
The newly-minted Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute
is a sovereign corporation with its own board of directors.
It will develop integrated research strategic plans
as a joint venture partner of the TBRHSC.
The announcement marks a key milestone for transforming
healthcare in Northwestern Ontario, positioning TBRHSC
as a leader in patient care through research. Today,
the new board was introduced. It will be chaired by
Mr. Keith Jobbitt, a former Chair of the Board for Thunder
Bay Regional Hospital, and governed by five other proven
leaders: Dr. Gary Polonsky, Mr. Don Caddo, Dr. Lou Siminovitch,
Mr. Robert Paterson, and Mr. Michael Gourley.
“This is a milestone
occasion. The launching of Canada’s newest research
institute strategically places Thunder Bay among Canada’s
leading Academic Health Sciences Centres,” Mr.
Jobbitt said. “This research institute will
support an integrated research environment, one that
involves patient, academic and research communities.
It holds great potential for transforming care delivery
in key areas, including cardiac care, cancer care,
and neurosciences.”
In 2006, TBRHSC launched a new Corporate Strategic Plan with
Research and Teaching as a main pillar. One of the recommendations
of the new Corporate Research Strategic Plan was to support
the development of a separate research institute.
There are good reasons for taking this route; for example,
a separate research corporation is often more attractive to
private/industry investors, it ensures research funding is
kept separate from clinical funding and, with a board of directors
that is entirely focused on research, the corporation will
be nimble and able to quickly take advantage of opportunities.
A key factor in the research institute’s success will
be its collaboration and partnerships with other research
institutes, private industry partners, and academic institutions
like Lakehead University, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,
and Confederation College.
“This initiative
will further solidify Lakehead University’s
partnership in health sciences research,” said
Dr. Rui Wang, VP Research, Lakehead University. A
prime example of this collaboration is the Molecular
Medicine Research Centre, which is the first and flagship
program under the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.
“We are truly hitting
the ground running with the great work that has already
been done with the MMRC. The first four scientists
have been identified, the translational research space
at ICR Discoveries, where the MMRC will be housed,
is close to completion, and we’ve established
true partnerships with Lakehead University,”
said Michael Power, Founding and Acting CEO of the
Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute and VP of
Regional Cancer Services and Diagnostics, TBRHSC.
Award Winning Program
Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) recently awarded its prestigious
Innovation Award to the MMRC. Innovation Awards seek to recognize,
encourage and reward the development of innovative leadership
projects that enhance and improve cancer care performance
in Ontario. Confederation College President and CCO Board
member Pat Lang presented the award to the MMRC group today
on behalf of Cancer Care Ontario.
Dr. Rui Wang, Michael Power, Pat
Lang, Janet Northan, Ron Nelson, Ron Saddington, Lynn
Peterson
with the Cancer Care Ontario Innovation Award
“This award along
with today’s announcement of a new research
corporation is further proof that Thunder Bay and
Northwestern Ontario can build and sustain a knowledge-based
economy, with good jobs and academic opportunities
for our citizens,” Mayor Lynn Peterson said.
“With an award-winning, innovative program already
under its belt, Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute
will be a great asset to our community.”
