Health Minister Deb Matthews joins UOIT and CMCC at Centre for the Study of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation inauguration

The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, attended the inauguration of the UOIT-CMCC Centre for the Study of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, a joint research-focused initiative between the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) that promises to help build the framework for new evidence-informed approaches to health-care delivery in Canada.

“The new Centre will help Ontarians better manage their chronic conditions and disabilities,” said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “I want to thank UOIT and CMCC for their continued partnership and innovative approach to patient-centered care.”

Directed by Pierre Côté, DC, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UOIT, who also holds appointments at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and at CMCC, the Centre will work with related health research and innovative support agencies, educational partners, health-care delivery institutions, industry and government to examine questions focused on the prevention and management of chronic conditions and disabilities. Researchers will generate new ideas involving integrated, collaborative and evidence-informed approaches to health care. 

“I am delighted to be part of the UOIT and CMCC partnership,” said Dr. Côté. “I look forward to working with researchers from both institutions and collaborating with them on these innovative research projects that will benefit the lives of individuals affected by chronic conditions and disabilities.”

Work at the Centre is supported by a $2.8 million grant from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. The grant was awarded to Dr. Côté through an open competitive request for proposals process from the Ontario Ministry of Finance to develop a Minor Injury Treatment Protocol. Research will occur at both institutions with the first phase located at CMCC, in Toronto.

“I am very pleased that UOIT and CMCC will have the opportunity to work together on this important venture,” said Dr. Ellen Vogel, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, UOIT. “The work led by Dr. Côté and his team will increase UOIT’s capacity for innovative and relevant research and also create more opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain valuable work experience.”

”CMCC is delighted by this second collaborative project with UOIT, which stands to create lasting benefits by informing health policy and demonstrating the dynamism and potential created through inter-institutional collaboration,” said CMCC President Dr. Jean Moss.

Dr. Côté will lead a highly experienced team comprised of Dr. Craig Jacobs, clinical co-ordinator; Dr. Mana Rezai, graduate student; Dr. Heather Shearer, research manager; Dr. Danielle Southerst, research associate; Dr. Maja Stupar, research associate; and Dr. Jessica Wong, research associate. Also joining the team are CMCC researchers Dr. Silvano Mior and Ms. Anne Taylor-Vaisey.

The Centre builds on a highly successful and ground-breaking educational partnership between UOIT and CMCC. In February 2012, UOIT and CMCC signed an articulation agreement that will enable qualified students to complete a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) in Kinesiology degree and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in seven years, instead of eight. For individuals who identify their career path early, this agreement seamlessly bridges a foundational degree into a professional degree in chiropractic.

For more information about the UOIT-CMCC Centre for the Study of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, please visit www.uoit.ca/CSDPR.

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