Supplied by
MICHAEL SMITH FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
www.msfhr.org
Investing in a healthier BC
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n 1993, UBC researcher Dr. Michael porting discovery, our awards have a proven Smith became British Columbia’s first multiplier effect, improving researchers’ Nobel Laureate, earning international ability to engage teams and attract additionacclaim for his groundbreaking advances in al funding to advance knowledge on critigenetic studies. For Dr. Smith, a humble and cal health issues. We also fund systems and gregarious molecular biologist, the Nobel networks to share resources across the provPrize was the culmination of a brilliant ince, including BC BioLibrary, BC Clinical Genomics Network, BC Proteomics Network, career. For BC, it was a milestone pointCentre for Drug Research and Development, ing to the province’s potential as a leader in and Population Data BC. health research. )NSPIRED BY $R 3MITH S LIFELONG COMmitment to supporting BC researchers, Solutions for BC’s health system the Michael Smith Foundation for Health MSFHR plays a vital role in mobilizing 2ESEARCH -3&(2 WAS FOUNDED IN BC’s health research community to identify with a mandate to enhance the province’s urgent priorities and fast-track the developCAPACITY FOR WORLD CLASS RESEARCH /VER THE ment of solutions. As a respected non-parpast decade, we have partnered with the tisan facilitator, we bring together people MSFHR is named for Nobel Laureate, Dr. provincial government to invest more than as part of collaborative networks and platMichael Smith (1932 – 2000), a pre-eminent MILLION IN NURTURING TALENT AND BUILDforms that put research knowledge to use in BC scientist whose commitment to excellence ing infrastructure across all areas of health improving health care. Among the projects positioned BC’s health research community on research. The result has been a remarkable we have funded and managed are: the world stage. transformation of BC’s health research landscape. s "# .URSING 2ESEARCH )NITIATIVE n SUPPORTING RESEARCH ON NURSING At the time of MSFHR’s founding, BC’s health research enterpractice and policy prise was at a crossroads. Despite the success of Dr. Smith and s -ONITORING %VALUATION AND ,EARNING 3YSTEM -%,3 n EVALUATother research leaders, the province was under-performing in its ing health system change initiatives ability to attract federal grant funding and faced the loss of top s "# %THICS (ARMONIZATION )NITIATIVE n STREAMLINING THE ETHICS scientists to other jurisdictions. MSFHR has played a central role review process for multi-centre research studies in reversing this trend and creating a vibrant research community s 2APID RESPONSE RESEARCH n ADDRESSING URGENT HEALTH ISSUES SUCH that is now recognized worldwide. We have funded more than as SARS and H1N1 1,800 research-related positions and promoted connections and MSFHR is a provincial leader in knowledge translation and collaboration across sectors. frequently convenes forums and workshops to promote the effecAs BC’s provincial health research support agency, MSFHR tive application of research evidence by scientists and end-users. takes a province-wide view of health research gaps and opportu- We also bring together universities, health authorities, charitable nities with a focus on two priorities: investments in people and organizations, and government stakeholders for health research resources, and solutions for BC’s health system. planning and action. As we enter our second decade under the leadership of new PresIDENT #%/ $R $IANE &INEGOOD -3&(2 WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT Investments in people and resources MSFHR funding programs build BC’s research capacity by recruit- our best and brightest to discover, connect and engage to improve ing and retaining top scientists, helping them build strong research the health of individuals across BC and around the world. programs, and supporting the mentorship of up-and-coming invesTIGATORS /UR AWARD COMPETITIONS HAVE FUNDED MORE THAN Contact: Bev Holmes, PhD, Vice-President, %XTERNAL 2ELATIONS "USINESS 3TRATEGY RESEARCHERS n FROM STUDENTS TO SENIOR INVESTIGATORS n AND RESEARCH TEAMS 4HESE RESEARCHERS ARE ACTIVE ACROSS THE PROVINCE EXAMINING E-mail: bholmes@msfhr.org everything from cells and genes to treatments and cures, disease Tel: 604-714-6600 prevention and health system improvements. MSFHR funding has supported numerous discoveries and “world ďŹ rstsâ€? that have improved health and saved lives. Among these breakthroughs are better protection for the brains of newborns, improved detection of autism in children and new approachES TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CANCER )N ADDITION TO SUP-
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