Toronto, Ontario, November 26, 2013 – In a special ceremony today the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women and M.P. for Simcoe-Grey received an award from Ivey School of Business' International Centre for Health Innovation.
The London, Ontario based business school acknowledged Minister Leitch for her role as a champion of health innovation in the Canadian health care system and as founder and the first academic Chair of the Centre.
“I am honoured and deeply touched by the acknowledgment here today,” said Minister Leitch. “My time at the Ivey Business School was one of my most rewarding, and challenging professional experiences. The International Centre for Heath Innovation is a great point of progress for Ivey, for Western and for Canada. It is a place where science and business collaborate to grow the next generation of health care leaders and innovators for Canada.”
The International Centre for Health Innovation was established in 2009 and is the only health centre in a business school in North America. The Centre emphasizes projects and education that equips students and program participants with the ability to identify, understand, embrace and implement innovation in real health sector environments. It empowers and builds collaborative partnerships between industry, clinicians, government, health stakeholders, researchers and founders to drive innovation adoption.
“By combining business with health care this world class facility strives for ways to ensure the values of the Canada Health Act are preserved, while bringing the innovative spirit of commerce to bear upon them, with a view to improving health care service delivery, equipment, techniques and, above all, results,” said Minister Leitch. “The quality of life of Canadians depends more than ever upon our efforts to support the highly talented, skilled and creative individuals who will bring new services, ideas and products to patient. This is the foundation for the future for Canadian economic competitiveness and prosperity.”
During her address, Minister Leitch spoke about the need for greater gender diversity in science, technology, engineering, math and business. She pointed out that the Government of Canada has increased funding to the Women’s Program at Status of Women Canada to its highest level in history with more than 600 projects being supported since 2007, and that the Government is actively advancing the representation of women on corporate boards and is focused on increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Leitch
819-953-5646
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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