June 24 - University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Lakeridge Health and Holburn Biomedical Corporation enter into lab training and research partnership
MEDICAL LABORATORY TRAINING AND LOCAL ECONOMY GET A SHOT IN THE ARM
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Lakeridge Health and Holburn Biomedical Corporation enter into lab training and research partnership
(Clarington) – The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Lakeridge Health (LH) and Holburn Biomedical Corporation (Holburn) have signed a letter of intent to partner in the joint development of research and training opportunities in the area of medical diagnostics, in the Durham Region. This partnership will build on UOIT’s existing Health Science program, the Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network (LHEARN) program, and Holburn’s unique expertise and medical laboratory facilities.
The partnership will work on the development of research and training centred on laboratory diagnostics, to meet future needs for enhanced skill sets required in modern medical laboratories. This increase in training opportunities is required to fill the growing need for these specialized professionals. With up to 50 per cent of the current Canadian medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) workforce (about 20,000 professionals) eligible for retirement by approximately 2015, there is an urgent need for expansion of training in this field. Immediate attention will focus on the highly specialized pathology test called immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC is used to facilitate the diagnosis of tumours and other diseases, and is now extensively employed to predict if a patient’s cancer will respond to specific treatments (technology commonly known as pharmacodiagnostics). This work could lead to improvements in treatments offered at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, within the Central East Local Health Integration Network area, throughout Canada and beyond.
Holburn, located in the Clarington Science and Technology Park (Bennett Road, Bowmanville), has exceptional facilities and experience that will enhance learning and research in this partnership. It is hoped that this partnership will help attract top talent in medical research. In turn, this will nurture the establishment of new types of multidisciplinary research teams, involving undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, university faculty and physicians, further enhancing medical education and research in Durham Region.
Along with new research opportunities to benefit health care, this unique partnership will create enhanced faculty and student opportunities. It is also anticipated that it will help attract other health-care and research-oriented businesses to the area.
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For more information:
University of Ontario Institute of Technology Holburn (file pictures available)
Tony Doyle Dr. Ronald H. Stead
905-721-8668 ext. 2209 905-623-1484 ext. 226
tony.doyle@uoit.ca ronald.stead@holburn.com
Lakeridge Health
Leigh Winn-Kruck
905-576-8711 x 4317 or lwinn-kruck@lakeridgehealth.on.ca
Key Facts
UOIT:
UOIT is educating students today so they can be leaders in the jobs of tomorrow.
- Developed in consultation with Lakeridge Health, UOIT’s Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science is the only direct-entry university program for medical laboratory technologists in Ontario, enrolling 40 students each year.
- Students learn from medical laboratory technologists in the lab, and PhD scientists in the classroom – unparalleled access to the best of both worlds.
- The program utilizes two high-tech labs equipped with the very latest in leading-edge technology and provides students with access to and experience using industry software.
- All of this means UOIT Medical Laboratory Science students have the real-world and high-tech skills needed to graduate as our country’s next-generation health-care professionals.
Holburn:
Holburn Biomedical Corporation (Holburn) provides laboratory services in pathology, drug development and target localization, particularly in relationship to gastrointestinal diseases.
- Expertise in the localization of therapeutic targets in human tissues facilitates the validation of clinically relevant pharmaceuticals. This also allows us to identify markers for novel phamacodiagnostic tests.
- In business for almost 15 years and located in a new 37,000-square-foot laboratory facility in Clarington, just east of Toronto.
- Holburn staff has extensive experience in tissue pathology (especially IHC and ISH) in both clinical and research settings.
- Holburn has an international research reputation substantiated by many peer-reviewed publications.
- The principals have extensive experience in educating MLTs, as well as undergraduate, post-graduate and medical students.
Lakeridge Health:
- In 2007-2008:
- 234 medical trainees received training from preceptors (physicians) for the equivalent of 27.4 years of training at all LH sites.
- 1,167 practicum students received training from preceptors for the equivalent of 204 years of training (65 per cent nursing, 30 per cent other health professionals, five per cent non-clinical).
- Affiliations with 69 academic centres (164 faculties): universities (60 per cent), colleges (34 per cent) and other (six per cent).
- Over 404 research studies have been performed since 1995 in areas such as Complex Continuing Care/Geriatric/Rehab, Diagnostic Imaging, Dietary, Emergency Room, Health Information Management, Laboratory, Maternal Child, Medicine, Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, Respiratory, Mental Health/Addictions, Nephrology, Oncology, Pharmacy and Surgery.
- The LHEARN Centre was built as part of the LH Oshawa North Wing and spans approximately 19,500 sq. ft. Area to include health-care simulation room, 250-seat auditorium, videoconferencing/classrooms, media centre and library.