Memorial University Leads Healthcare Innovation to Advance Research and Benefit Residents
News release
Government of Canada invests more than $3.8 million for two new initiatives
September 10, 2018 – St. John’s (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Innovation taking place at post-secondary institutions helps fuel research, commercialization and job opportunities. Through a $3.8 million investment from the Government of Canada, Memorial University is developing innovative initiatives in genetics and rural healthcare to benefit residents and support economic growth.
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced funding from ACOA’s Business Development Program for Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine towards two innovative projects. The Honourable John Haggie, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health and Community Services, and Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, also participated in today’s announcement.
An investment of more than $2.4 million is enabling Memorial University to partner with the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information to integrate genetic information with existing data in the province’s electronic health record. This project will help improve healthcare delivery and enhance opportunities for genetics research.
In addition, Memorial University is using an investment of more than $1.4 million to expand its existing biomedical 3D printing laboratory and establish a network of rural research and development sites to advance medical education and patient care.
These investments support the Atlantic Growth Strategy, one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Innovation and Skills Planoutcomes in this region by helping ensure everyone has the jobs, skills and learning to seize new opportunities and succeed in a growing innovation economy.Quotes
“Universities across Canada are leading the way with important research and advances in innovation, which help improve the lives of Canadians. Through these investments from the Government of Canada, Memorial University is working with key partners in the healthcare sector to incorporate innovation into areas where it will translate into benefits for residents, researchers and the local economy.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Our Government understands that innovation and technology improve our daily lives and drive our economy. And by investing in innovative ideas in healthcare at Memorial University, including these two exciting initiatives in genetics and rural healthcare, we’re investing in the quality of life for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”- The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“Through Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, our government continues to focus on strategic investments in innovative research and business ideas. These highly innovative projects support research happening at Memorial University to improve healthcare delivery and have the potential to fuel new business and commercialization opportunities in growth sectors.”
- Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“Investments in innovation and technology are driving change in Newfoundland and Labrador’s health care system. Through The Way Forward, we are committed to creating the conditions where leading innovators like the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information and Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine can excel and support improved health outcomes for residents. We will continue to work with the Federal Government to create the conditions in this province from which a strong community of health innovation can grow and prosper.”
- Honourable John Haggie, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health and Community Services
“Memorial’s teams of multi-disciplinary researchers are globally recognized for their work in helping address health care challenges and improving health outcomes for the communities we serve. This latest investment will further boost Memorial’s international reputation for innovative research and Memorial is grateful to the Government of Canada for supporting our researchers and scientists. I wish Drs. Proton Rahman and Adam Dubrowski, lead researchers for these two projects, much success.”
- Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-Chancellor of Memorial University
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Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Michelle Osmond
Communications Advisor
Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University
709-864-6358
Michelle.Osmond@med.mun.ca
Emily Timmins
Media Relations Manager
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 709-693-1292
emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca
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