Health Sciences North's research arm will have a new name, and an increased focus on health issues that affect northerners, the hospital has announced.
What was formerly the Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC), will now be called the Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI).
The hospital has said research priorities will focus on issues that affect northeastern Ontario, including cancer care, infectious diseases, healthy aging, northern and indigenous health, and precision medicine, with a focus on treatments designed around an individual's DNA.
Health Sciences North president and CEO Dr. Denis Roy will take on that same responsibility as CEO of the research institute.
Senior medical researcher and geriatrician Dr. Janet McElhaney will assume the role of scientific director of the research institute, and vice-president of research with Health Sciences North.
In late November 2015, Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma, the former CEO and scientific director of AMRIC, resigned suddenly from that position. The hospital did not comment on his departure at the time, as it was a personnel matter.
The hospital said in a letter to community partners the new direction for the Health Sciences North Research Institute “was developed after much consultation with our staff, physicians, health care and community partners as well as our investors.”
