Health Sciences Centre Among the Top Research Hospitals in Canada

The Top 40 list is a compilation by Research Infosource to emphasize the very important role that hospitals play in Canadian medical research.

After debuting on the list of Top 40 Research Hospitals in Canada in 2010, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre continues to rank among the leading health research institutions in the country.

Six years ago, our Hospital appeared on the list for the first time, entering at #40. This year, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre occupies the #37 position, down two spots from its highest position last year, at #35.

Despite the small drop in the rankings, research income at the Health Sciences Centre increased by 10.9 percent, highlighting the importance that research plays in improving patient care.

In 2015, the Hospital’s research income increased to $8.42 million from $7.59 million the prior year. Overall, research income rose at 26 of the 40 research hospitals with available year-over-year data. According to Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List 2016 which was released last week, research income includes all funds (direct and indirect) spent on all sources (internal and external) to support research.

The research activity that catapulted our Hospital into Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals is attributed to the ongoing success of our research arm, the newly renamed Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

“To be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals for the sixth year in a row is a source of pride for our community”, said Jean Bartkowiak, President & CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and CEO of the Health Research Institute. “All of our research aims to improve patient care in Northwestern Ontario and to make our region Healthier, Wealthier and Smarter.”

A robust health research program is vital to advancing our academic mission but more importantly, to improve patient care outcomes. It provides patients with the opportunity to participate in research project that help design the care of the future or access equipment that are at the frontier of medical technology development, such as the PET/CT scanner used to diagnose lung cancer or the cyclotron and radiopharmacy, which will eliminate the Hospital’s dependence upon outside sources of radioactive isotopes used for specific diagnostic imaging procedures. Research also improves health care by attracting bright scientists and clinician researchers.

Research also advances economic development. “Every dollar invested in research is an economic driver for Northwestern Ontario”, said Bartkowiak. “We see that most obviously in terms of researchers moving to the region to work, which automatically impacts our economy. With the intellectual property (IP) and medical devices now in development at the Health Research Institute, our knowledge-based economy will continue to grow.”

Donations to the Health Sciences Discovery Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation support the activities of the Health Research Institute. To help Bring Discovery to Life, visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca

The Top 40 list is a compilation by Research Infosource to emphasize the very important role that hospitals play in Canadian medical research.

Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List 2016 is available on the Research Infosource website: http://bit.ly/Top40ResearchHospitals2016


For further information, please contact:

Marcello Bernardo
Communications Officer
Communications, Indigenous Affairs, and Engagement
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
(807) 684-6765
bernarma@tbh.net