Oshawa Clinic invests in downtown with donation to UOIT

OSHAWA, ON - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is getting a major boost thanks to the Oshawa Clinic and a $100,000 donation announced today. The donation will be used to support the development of UOIT's growing presence downtown, specifically the restoration of the former Alger Press building located at 61 Charles Street. The building now serves as a multi-purpose higher education centre for students and staff of the university.

In recognition of the Oshawa Clinic's generous gift, the university has placed a permanent commemorative plaque outside an 80 seat capacity classroom on the second floor at 61 Charles Street. The plaque will provide a constant reminder to the hundreds of students using the classroom each day about the Oshawa Clinic's contribution to an outstanding educational environment.

"UOIT is grateful for the Oshawa Clinic's generous support and proud to be neighbours with an organization that has such a terrific long-standing track record of community leadership," said MaryLynn West-Moynes, vice-president, External Relations, UOIT. "The permanent dedication of this classroom in honour of the Oshawa Clinic is the perfect way to recognize what is yet another shining example of the incredibly warm welcome Oshawa residents and business owners have offered since the university moved our first faculty downtown in September 2008."

"The Oshawa Clinic is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with UOIT as they proceed with the continuing development of their downtown location," said Harry Horricks, chief executive officer, Oshawa Clinic. "Thanks to UOIT, the renaissance of downtown Oshawa is well underway. The Oshawa Clinic looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with UOIT for many years to come."

The January 2011 opening of UOIT's new facilities at 61 Charles Street has helped the 90-year old building return to its former glory. A renovation of the 4,879 square-metre building, including a retrofit of the electrical systems has transformed it into an academic centre of excellence. The first and second floors include classrooms and lecture halls, office space, study areas, student services including the Registrar's Office, Student Awards and Financial Aid, the Student Experience Centre, a café, a library dedicated to the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, the Centre for Evaluation and Survey Research as well as a number of light-filled, welcoming common areas for students and faculty.

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About Oshawa Clinic

Since 1927 the Oshawa Clinic has been providing quality health services to families in the Durham Region and over this period, the group has grown into the largest medical group practice in Canada, with over 110 physicians.

During this period, the group recognized that much of the residential growth in the Durham Region was east of Oshawa in the Courtice area. This area was highly underserviced by doctors and they wanted to better serve the needs of the Courtice residents. In doing so, they built a first class medical facility called the Courtice Health Centre, which opened on April 12, 1999, and which is home to 22 family physicians, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, dental centre, hearing testing, rehab services and a number of programs operated by Lakeridge Health Corporation.

With the success of the Courtice Health Centre, the group decided to build an identical facility on two acres of land in north Oshawa, close to the new University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology). The new Taunton Health Centre opened in May 2006 and is home to 16 family doctors, walk-in clinic, plus a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services.

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Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
289.928.3653
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca