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