New Rural Health Research Network Launched at UNBC



July 18, 2005 for immediate release

The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research is supporting the creation of a new BC Rural and Remote Health Research Network in British Columbia, and the Network’s headquarters is being established at UNBC.
The new network was developed through consultations with researchers, health care service providers, and policy-makers from throughout the province. Nearly 300 northerners participated in the initial development, including residents of Prince George, Quesnel, the Robson Valley, the North and South Peace, Fort Nelson, Vanderhoof and Burns Lake, the Bulkley Valley, the Northwest, and both the North and Central Coasts. “The headquarters for the new network is being located at UNBC in large part because of the significant level of support and interest in this project,” say Don Voaklander and Karen Kelly, the Interim Scientific Co-Directors for the Rural Network.  Don grew up in Fort St. James.
The network will engage in a variety of activities:
  • Providing some initial funding to establish new research projects
  • Expanding access to research assistants
  • Disseminating research results to people in the field through the development of a new website
  • Hosting an annual conference to bring together researchers, share research findings, and identify additional needs for research.
The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research is providing $300,000 in initial funding and it’s expected that the network will continue to operate until at least 2009.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622