Montreal Neurological Institute receives $15 million in federal support
The Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) at McGill University was named a Centre of Excellence in Commercialization and Research in the newly tabled federal Budget 2007. The budget includes significant investment in priority areas of health science and technology, and recognizes the MNI as one of seven centres of excellence across Canada that will receive immediate funding from a total allocation of $105 million in 2007-08. Known for global leadership in neuroscience and for translating knowledge into practice, the MNI will partner with businesses and with Quebec to build on its success.
“We were happy that the MNI was recognized, along with 6 equally outstanding institutes,” said David Colman, Director, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. “It shows great thought on the part of the government to have selected a group to feature in this way. This government now has a tremendous opportunity to formulate health sciences policy to chart the future of health research in Canada, and to allocate resources in line with a long-term agenda. Here’s proof that Ministers Bernier, Fortier and Clement are ready to strengthen the science profile of Canada. I am also encouraged that new money to CIHR was doubled over last year’s allocation and look forward to more investment in health research.”
“I am delighted with the investment in McGill’s MNI which is clearly a world leader in its field,” said Heather Munroe-Blum, McGill University Principal. The MNI is unique for its integration of research and clinical care. Since its founding in 1934, the MNI has been the world’s only academic medical centre completely dedicated to neuroscience. Diseases of the nervous system account for more hospitalizations, long term care and chronic suffering than nearly all other medical conditions combined. In Canada, almost 15 million people, or 50% of all Canadians, have a neurological disorder or a family member afflicted by one, so the work of the MNI is critically important.
At the MNI, researchers and physicians work hand in hand so that problems encountered in the clinic inspire research, and new findings from the labs are directly applied to patients’ medical needs. MNI physicians routinely use the most advanced equipment, approaches and methods in Canada, and are continuously perfecting and refining these with the MNI’s research teams. New funding will help the MNI build and maintain specialized facilities, pursue breakthrough discoveries, and provide unique scientific and medical training.
The MNI is a research and teaching institute of McGill University, and is integrated with the Montreal Neurological Hospital, one of the five hospitals of the McGill University Hospital Centre. This combined organization has more than 85 professors and 200 research trainees, performs more than 1800 surgeries and hosts 30,000 ambulatory patient visits per year. Government support, private philanthropy and the dedicated commitment of the McConnell, Molson and Webster foundations and others has been central to the achievements of the MNI.