Ontario Tech University and Grandview Kids reaffirm partnership to advance research, innovation and education in Durham Region

Long-established community partners Grandview Kids and Ontario Tech University are celebrating their shared commitment to advancing research, innovation and education in Durham Region through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Grandview Kids, Durham Region’s only Children’s Treatment Centre, provides specialized paediatric rehabilitation care and services to children and youth with communication, physical or developmental needs, as well as support to parents and caregivers. The organization values using scientific evidence and innovation to address the challenges experienced by its clients. They also recognize the need to explore novel interventions to improve clinical, therapeutic and medical care for children and youth with disabilities.

Recently named Ontario’s best small research-intensive university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. The university focuses on promoting health and community engagement of vulnerable individuals, and groups; including people with disabilities, and the social, political, economic, and cultural contexts linked to the social determinants of health.

Signed during a ceremony on February 2, 2023, the MOU outlines Ontario Tech’s and Grandview Kids’ shared objective to co-create ethical, sound research that is clinically-relevant and community-informed. The MOU will enable further exploration of experiential learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, joint research activities across different faculties, academic and non-academic programming, innovation, and entrepreneurship that connects students and faculty with the community, and builds new engagement and outreach across Durham Region and beyond.

The research opportunities enabled by Ontario Tech provide families who access services at Grandview Kids with enhanced opportunities to potentially benefit their child’s development. The partnership also contributes to the cutting-edge science that will advance clinical and educational opportunities for the children of the future.

The agreement builds on Ontario Tech Faculty of Health Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Meghann Lloyd’s decade-long leadership as the Grandview Kids Research Associate, conducting research and championing advocacy for children with disabilities and their families. As part of solidifying the MOU, Dr. Lloyd will continue in her role as Grandview Kids’ Senior Research Associate, and Dr. Taryn Eickmeier, Executive Lead for Research Innovation and Knowledge Mobilization at Grandview Kids, has been warmly welcomed by Ontario Tech as an Adjunct Professor.

Quotes  

“Ontario Tech University is exceptionally proud of the legacy of its long-standing relationship with Grandview Kids, and how our shared commitment to innovative research has delivered solutions to benefit families in Durham Region. Our agreement solidifies our ongoing work to support the families of children and youth with disabilities, and serves as a powerful example of how the pursuit of discovery, innovation, ideas, and insights can translate into real-world, community-led, evidence-informed initiatives.”
-Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University

“Grandview Kids has long benefited from collaboration with Ontario Tech University, using evidence-informed research to improve programs and services for children and youth with communication, developmental and physical needs. We are eager to strengthen our alliance with the University through this formal agreement, partnering in new ways to drive local innovation for those we serve, support, teach and employ across Durham Region.”
-Tom McHugh, Chief Executive Officer, Grandview Kids

“It has been my honour and my privilege to have been welcomed into the Grandview community over the past 12 years. The research my students and I have accomplished would not have been possible without the trust and support of the staff, clinicians, and most of all the families who access services at Grandview Kids. The work we do is first and foremost focused on the children and their families; I am forever grateful for all the lessons I have learned from each child who has been welcomed into my lab for a research study. I am delighted to continue in my new role as a Senior Research Associate at Grandview Kids with this new MOU in place to drive our partnership forward.”
-Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Associate Professor, Ontario Tech University and Senior Research Associate at Grandview Kids

About Ontario Tech University

A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

About Grandview Kids

Grandview Kids – founded in 1953 – is an independently operated, not-for-profit Children’s Treatment Centre in Durham Region. A Centre of Excellence for paediatric assessment, care and rehabilitation, Grandview Kids provides specialized programs, medical services, and outpatient clinical treatment and support to thousands of children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs, as well as support for parents and caregivers. Its mission is to help every child and youth live life to their full potential.

For more information about Grandview Kids, visit: http://grandviewkids.ca/. For updates, follow @GrandviewKids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media contacts

Bryan Oliver
Communications Officer
Ontario Tech University
289.928.3653 (mobile)
bryan.oliver@ontariotechu.ca

Avori Cheyne
Chief Communications Officer
Grandview Kids
647.631.2668
avori.cheyne@grandviewkids.ca

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