London makes the top ten for hospital-based research in Canada

A new report shows that London hospitals rank among the top ten research hospitals in Canada. According to the 2014 edition of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List, Lawson Health Research Institute, the research arm of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, is ranked eighth in the country.

Each year, Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List ranks hospitals across Canada based on their research income for the year. This includes funds received from all sources, both internal and external, to support research at the organization. According to the report, Lawson continues on a steady trend upwards, receiving just over $114.5 million in research income in 2013, compared to $103 million in 2012 and $102,000 in 2011.

“Lawson is one of the largest hospital-based research institutes in Canada and we are up there with some of the largest and most successful research hospitals in Canada. This tells us that Lawson and our two partner hospitals are a major part of academic hospital research in Canada,” Dr. David Hill, Scientific Director at Lawson, said.

Hill said credit for the increase should go to the scientists at both hospitals as they are navigating the difficult economic environment well. “Scientists are identifying and competing effectively for a more diverse range of funding sources, including international funds. We’ve had a great deal of success in recent years, not just in funding, but also in terms of the high quality research we’ve produced.”

For example, in support of leading edge molecular imaging and personalized medicine, Lawson's medical cyclotron and radio-chemistry team are now manufacturing and supplying London, the Toronto area and Windsor with Health Canada approved products for early detection of dementia, cancer and heart disease. By the end of 2015, Lawson will be on track to be distributing an additional four products needed to further understand the molecular basis of dementia, brain trauma, cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

“Recognition as one of the top ten research intensive hospitals in Canada is a testament to the contributions of Lawson researchers to the international body of scientific knowledge in health research,” Murray Glendining, President and CEO, London Health Sciences Centre, said. “Our researchers’ passion is generating much needed support and partnerships, and fostering discoveries that will improve the health of our communities. We are very proud of this acknowledgement of LHSC’s research programs.”

“St. Joseph’s Health Care London is committed to fostering world-class research because it allows us to offer leading-edge therapies to our patients, and it gives us the tools to develop innovative approaches to improve quality and safety. A strong research institute also helps us attract the best and brightest clinicians,” Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, said.