A $1 million donation supporting KGH research

It's not surprising to see a cheque presentation here at Kingston General Hospital, but not often do we see one with this many zeros. The W. J. Henderson Foundation announced that it is donating $1 million to support a state-of-the-art research facility at KGH. The donation, which is the largest ever given by the foundation, will be spread over the next four years. In recognition, the facility will be now known as the W. J. Henderson Centre for Patient-Oriented Research.

"The Henderson Foundation has been a generous and visionary supporter of the Kingston hospitals," says Denise Cumming, Executive Director of the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation. "We are so happy to receive this gift."

The centre will span 9,000 square feet and will increase clinical research space at KGH by 25 per cent. It will be large enough to support the hospital's research program for the next five to 10 years. Researchers will have the space and access to patients that will allow them to continue advancing healthcare practices and discovering new approaches that will benefit our patients.

"The centre will provide a much needed, custom-designed environment that will bring researchers and patients together in a multidisciplinary setting," says Dr. Roger Deeley, VP of Health Sciences Research at KGH. "It will enable the development of new treatments and treatment guidelines, new diagnostic tests and procedures, which will ultimately result in improved patient care, within Kingston and beyond."

To date, $1.2 million in donations has been raised towards the projected $2.8 million cost to upgrade the facility.

Research grants from federal sources will also be a key source of financial support for the project. Located on Connell 4, the centre will include:

• Six modular research labs to be used by multiple research teams
• Facilities to accommodate patient observation for overnight studies and clinical trials
• Patient-friendly waiting and reception areas
• A biohazard Level 2 tissue preparation area
• A blood and tissue collection room
• Office space and conference room for researchers and staff
• Private areas for conducting informed consent process, questionnaires, surveys and exams

Dr. Stephen Scott, who works with the Kinarm Clinical Research Assessment Lab at KGH, says the new facility will benefit the community in a number of ways.

"This facility will be more patient and family-centred as researchers will be able to see patients in the hospital, rather than at a research centre offsite," he says.

The new W. J. Henderson Centre for Patient-Oriented Research is an important part of bringing the KGH Research Institute to life. The Institute was first unveiled two years ago with the aim of creating a platform for channeling the growth and development of research at KGH. This positions the hospital for success and will enable clinician scientists to conduct globally competitive research.

For more information on the Centre for Patient-Oriented Research and how to donate, visit the UHKF website at www.uhkf.ca.