Celebrating research excellence and innovation

Every day, hospital-based research in London changes the lives of people around the world. Through close proximity to patients, scientists in the hospitals can identify challenges and develop solutions effectively, and then deliver them to care faster than anywhere else. The Lawson Impact Awards, presented by Lawson Health Research Institute, celebrate those unique accomplishments and honour scientists, staff, trainees and partners who have demonstrated excellence.

“Our researchers work every day to discover new ways to drive efficiency and reduce costs, find new methods of services, improve procedures and create entirely new ones – all with the goal of improving patient care,” says Dr. David Hill, Scientific Director, Lawson Health Research Institute. “The Lawson Impact Awards recognize the people, partnerships and innovations moving health research forward.”

The 2016 Lawson Impact Award recipients include:

Innovation Award: Dr. Stephen Lownie

Hypothermia has been used for many years as a way to prevent tissue damage resulting from restriction of blood supply to the brain or other organs. Doctors currently have two-three hours after a stroke begins to administer the activator “tPA” which breaks up the blood clots that cause a stroke. Timely treatment is crucial. For every hour lost in stroke treatment, the brain loses neurons equivalent to more than three years of normal aging. Dr. Lownie and his team have developed a dual lumen catheter which provides a safe way to selectively cool a brain hemisphere, instead of the entire brain. Selective brain cooling may increase the number of people who can benefit from newer stroke treatments by protecting the brain for a few more precious hours, increasing the treatment window to five or six hours. This would mean better patient outcomes for hundreds of stroke patients.

Community Partner of the Year Award: Mike Schlater, Domino’s Pizza Canada

Schlater has made a career of supporting Canadians through charitable causes in health care and research, education, and Canada’s vulnerable populations. Here in London, his donation to the Paediatric Neurology Division of Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre has been a game changer. The result is the development of a comprehensive clinical and research program in neuromuscular and epilepsy care that addresses priority needs and funding gaps. Many children will greatly benefit through better care and access to care, and better scientific knowledge through research.

Scientist Career Award: Dr. William Clark

Dr. Clark has gained international recognition for his clinical research studies and treatment of kidney patients. Most recently, he has gained world-wide attention for his work examining the increased risks of initiating dialysis treatment early. With a distinguished career as a clinician-scientist spanning over three decades, he has explored many research issues such as the application of plasma (blood) exchange and dialysis to improve the treatment and health of people suffering from kidney injury. Dr. Clark was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his charitable work, notably initiating and managing two major fundraisers as well as being Honorary Cabinet Member (Ontario) of The Kidney Foundation’s New Challenge Campaign.

Highlights of the evening are a networking reception, awards presentations and a keynote address by Dr. Rishi Desai. A paediatric infectious disease physician at Stanford Hospital, Dr. Desai is also heavily involved in online medical education. He previously led the Khan Academy, Health and Medicine and is the Chief Medical Officer at Osmosis, a collaborative, web-based learning platform for medical students.

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Media are invited to attend this awards event:

*Award winners and Dr. David Hill will be available for photos/video and interviews. Please contact Laura Goncalves to arrange.

EVENT HASHTAG: #LIA16

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