Extreme Makeover: School Edition – HSN Research Institutes Opens New Facility in Former Elementary School
June 26, 2017
Extreme Makeover: School Edition – HSN Research Institutes Opens New Facility in Former Elementary School
SUDBURY, ON – Former staff and students of St. Theresa School in Sudbury on Walford Road can be forgiven for doing a double-take the next time they pass by the building.
The former red-brick elementary school has been transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art medical research facility for the Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI).
Today, HSNRI officially opened the new facility.
The Walford facility will provide HSNRI with an additional 14,000 square feet of research and laboratory space. Construction began in December of 2015, at a cost of approximately $15 million.
The expansion of HSNRI’s research space was made possible through financial investments made by the Government of Canada which provided $4.99 million through FEDNOR, the Government of Ontario which provided $4.99 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation at $1 million and the City of Greater Sudbury with an investment of $750,000.
Since December 2015, the Walford facility created 35 temporary construction jobs, 20 high skilled jobs, two new principal scientist position and 18 new employment opportunities attracting top researchers and physicians to Sudbury.
Established in 2012, HSNRI is focused on contributing to sustainable solutions for health challenges faced by Ontario’s Northern and Indigenous communities. The research priority areas – Infection & Immunity, Cancer Solutions, Personalized Medicine and Healthy Aging – are wrapped around a population health focus to achieve health equity for Ontario’s Northern and Indigenous communities.
Since its inception, HSNRI has grown from 36 to approximately 90 full-time employees, secured $21 million in funding for research projects, and involved over 1,600 participants in clinical research. HSNRI has also established several research chairs: the HSN Volunteer Chair in Healthy Aging, a Chair in Indigenous and Northern Health and Chair in Personalized Medicine.
For the past three years HSN and HSNRI have been included among Canada’s top 40 research hospitals.
Quotes
“This expansion of the HSN Research Institute is not just our accomplishment; it is a community-wide achievement. We want to thank our partners in health care, research, education and government, who have contributed to the success and growth of HSNRI. Finally, we want to thank the people of Greater Sudbury and northeastern Ontario for supporting us and believing in the life-affirming power of research.”
Nicole Everest, Chair of the HSN and HSNRI Board of Directors
“The official opening of this new research facility is one of the most satisfying moments in my career. Breakthrough moments in health care have always been driven by research. I believe one of the next great breakthrough discoveries in health care can happen right here, in Sudbury.”
Dr. Denis Roy, President and CEO, HSN and HSNRI Research Institute
“At HSNRI, we believe research is patient care. The research we’re doing into cancer care, senior’s health, and infectious diseases is already having a positive impact on our patients. It is research being done in the north, by northerners, with global implications. Dr. Janet McElhaney, Vice President of Research, Scientific Director, HSNRI
“This new facility represents a new economic engine for Sudbury and will contribute to solidifying Canada’s position as a world leader in the field of health sciences research and innovation. Congratulations to Drs. Denis Roy and Janet McElhaney on their excellent work in making today possible.”
Paul Lefebvre, member of Parliament for Sudbury
“The Grand Opening of the Health Sciences North Research Institute is a tremendous success story for Greater Sudbury. On behalf of the Government of Canada and as MP for Nickel Belt I am proud to participate in this milestone event. The incredible work being done within these walls will have an enormous impact for all those who will benefit from this world class research. Congratulations to Dr. Roy and the entire research team for your innovative thinking and pursuit of science for the greater good.”
Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
“The expansion of the Walford facility shows your governments commitment to invest in Health Care for all Canadians. The HSNRI has grown into a global research leader and this new investment will allow the staff and researchers to continue to provide groundbreaking medical research to the benefit of everyone”
Glenn Thibeault, MPP for Sudbury
“The City of Greater Sudbury has been a proud partner of the Health Sciences North Research Institute from the very beginning. This state-of-the-art medical research facility is already putting our community at the forefront of innovative research breakthroughs and will continue to attract world-class talent to our community to drive our knowledge based economy to new heights.”
Mayor Brian Bigger
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