HSN cracks list of top 40 research hospitals in Canada

For the first time, Health Sciences North was named one of Canada's top 40 research hospitals.

Sudbury's hospital occupied the 40th spot on Research Infosource Inc.'s list of Canada's top 40 research hospitals for 2014.

“This is a prestigious list to be on, and it’s a remarkable achievement in such a short time,” said Dr. Denis Roy, Health Sciences North's president and CEO, in a press release.

“World-class research is being done right here in our hospital. Our patients are benefiting from this research, our community’s economy is profiting, and we are now receiving global recognition from our research peers.”

In 2011, the hospital created the Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC). AMRIC’s research activities are focused on cancer care, chronic and infectious diseases, and seniors health. AMRIC has also been able to attract world-class researchers to Greater Sudbury, including Healthy Aging expert Dr. Janet McElhaney, Personalized Health pioneer Dr. Rebecca McClure, and microbiologist Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma.

“This recognition shows that Sudbury is beginning to develop a hub of excellence in health-care research,” said Diaz-Mitoma AMRIC’s CEO and chief scientific director, in a press release. “This is a significant milestone upon which we will continue to build our research program and improve health care in the north.”

Ron Freedman, the CEO of Research Infosource, said there are around 100 hospitals in Canada that have $1 million or more in research income.

Freedman said Research Infosource uses a number of indicators to create its list, including hospitals' research income, and how many researchers they employ.

Canada's top three research hospitals, or hospital networks, in 2014, were Toronto's University Health Network, Hamilton Health Sciences and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.