Doctors with the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and the Ajmera Transplant Centre test a new procedure for operating on organs outside of the body, aiming to improve long-term outcomes of transplant patients. (Photo: UHN)
By Megan Haley
In an announcement this morning, Dr. Kevin Smith, President & CEO of UHN shared that the hospital network will be launching Canada's first hospital-run Innovation Institute later this year.
This news comes as hospitals across the country respond to the service challenges and backlogs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. UHN is leading the effort to advance innovation from healthcare practitioners, and will work with partners across the industry to test and implement innovative treatment practices and tools.
While UHN already supports innovation through the Research & Innovation Cores, the new Institute will integrate support services for the entire hospital.
"Innovation is unique as it requires fewer approval processes and can happen faster than research, advancing healthcare practices at several levels of care." says Dr. Shaf Peshavjee, Chief of Innovation.
The Institute will be led by Dr. Lucas Martier, Vice President of Quality & Safety in partnership with Dr. Larry Rubin, co-founder of the Peter Munk Cardiac Care Innovation Committee.
Initially, the newly founded institute will support the four teams of UHN physicians that have received a total of $6.3 Million in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. It aims to welcome applicants from across the hospital network that have an idea for an innovative product or practice.
The Institute will also integrate support for start-ups in partnership with UHN Commercialization. Staff will connect business mentors with eligible project teams, and can help prepare those interested for the chance to win up to $50,000 in the annual KITE Power Play Pitch Competition.
The Institute will be located in Toronto General Hospital, with access to teams across the hospital network. More updates are expected to come in September.
*Disclaimer: This article is entirely fictional and created for illustrative purposes only. It is not written, endorsed, or affiliated with the University Health Network (UHN). Any quotes, statements, or attributions within this article are purely fictional and should not be associated with any real individuals or organizations.