Did you know?
- 55 years, 21 storeys still to come (December 23, 2009) The SickKids Research Institute has come a long way in 55 years. In its first year, the Research Institute completed 47 projects with the aid of 27 full-time and 23 part-time scientists, 41 technicians and 13 secretaries. Today, the SickKids Research Institute is Canada’s largest research program at a paediatric institution and is home close to 2,000 employees learn more
- Buchwald looks back on ten years of teamwork and teaching (December 19, 2009) After 35 years as a scientist at SickKids and ten years as Chief of Research, Dr. Manuel Buchwald retired ... his greatest memories were forged in the way the individuals at SickKids work together in a rich, collaborative environment. learn more
- From the bench to the bedside and across the country (December 10, 2009) In 2002, trainees from paediatric institutions across Canada were given a new professional-development opportunity with the creation of the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP). learn more
- A super-giant leap into the new millennium (December 3, 2009) In 1999, experts around the world predicted that the human genome would be completely mapped within two years. SickKids was already in the gene mapping game and that very same year the Research took over the management of the worldwide Genome Database (GDB) learn more
- Collaboration between clinical and research activities – Now that’s using your head! (November 26, 2009) In the 1997 Research Institute Annual Report, Dr. Manuel Buchwald, SickKids Chief of Research, unveiled a new structure for the SickKids Research Institute. Twelve new programs were formed, mixing basic research and clinical departments and divisions. Six of the new programs were based on established scientific disciplines and six were interdisciplinary groupings that brought together scientists from various backgrounds. learn more
- RTC = TLC – Teaching, Leadership and Collaboration (November 23, 2009) In 1996 the Research Institute brought all research training programs under one roof and formed The Research Training Centre (RTC). The RTC was created with the mission to ensure the highest quality of research training in all programs of research carried out at SickKids. The Director of the Research Institute and the Chief of Research, Dr. Manuel Buchwald, believed that collective leadership in training would ensure a successful and collaborative program. Under his direction, a committee of SickKids representatives from various academic training programs was formed to manage RTC activities.
Thirteen years later the RTC continues to be an integral part of the Research Institute ensuring that individuals pursuing research careers receive the highest possible quality of research training at SickKids. - SickKids and U of T: An A+ Affiliation (November 12, 2009) The 1994-1995 Research Institute Annual report celebrates the 75 year relationship between The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Toronto. learn more
- Dial for Discovery (November 5, 2009) "This year marks the first time that a portion of the HSC Foundation Telethon has been devoted to the Research Institute. The Telethon has agreed to assign one half of its proceeds for two years running to assist in the establishment of a Protein Structure Group in the Division of Research Biochemistry, which will collaborate with Institute researchers to delve deeper into the function of proteins, including the CF gene-product.”
Dr. James Friesen
Director’s Message – 1990-91 SickKids Research Institute Annual ReportThe SickKids Foundation Telethon is now the SickKids Foundation Radiothon and it continues to provide funding to support the Research Institute.
- Who’s the Boss – RI Transitions from the 80s to the 90s (October 29, 2009) In the late 1980’s SickKids Research Institute was transitioning into a new decade, a new age of science and awaiting a new addition to the Hospital that would bring new research space. But that’s not all. learn more
- Leading Ladies: From rookie to role model - Dr. Marlene Rabinovitch (October 22, 2009) The 1983 Research Institute Annual Report identified the growth of the Cardiovascular Research Program as one of the major highlights of the year. That growth was credited to the influx of qualified staff and one of those new team members was Dr. Marlene Rabinovitch. learn more
- A program with heart (October 15, 2009) In 1981, under the direction of Dr. Richard Rowe, the Division of Cardiology at SickKids expanded to include a separate Cardiovascular Research Program in the Research Institiute. learn more
- Research by the numbers (October 9, 2009) The 1970s was a decade of change and maturation for SickKids Research Institute. A true test of that growth is to compare some of the staff numbers from the 70s to the numbers from previous decades. learn more
- RI gets its groove on in the 1970s (October 1, 2009) The 1970s was an exciting decade for SickKids Research Institute. The following excerpt from the 1972 annual report illustrates the level of excitement and anticipation for things to come:
“…1972 has been an important turning point for the Research Institute. The Elm Street wing was completed relieving overcrowding of research facilities and allowing implementation of research activities of two new departments (Immunology and Genetics). The Basic Science Division was reconstituted. We have received a vote of confidences by the various external agencies in terms of increased financial support for our programs. We have done much planning and established goals for the future… The prospects for the future are exciting indeed.” (SickKids Research Institute 1972 Annual Report, p 10)
- Leading Ladies: The many hats of Dr. Ursula Anderson (September 24, 2009) Dr. Ursula Anderson is an internationally-known physician and leading expert in the field of paediatrics, mental health, preventative medicine and public health. But that’s not all. She is also a published poet and author with an avid interest in the philosophy of religion. learn more
- Programmed for success: SickKids research a gateway to discovery (September 17, 2009) When Dr. Aser Rothstein became the scientific director of the Research Institute, he decided it was time for a change. One of the major elements of his restructuring plan in 1972 was the introduction of the concept of the “research program” to SickKids. learn more
- New faces bring renewed spaces (September 10, 2009) Changes were underway at SickKids Research Institute in 1971 with the arrival of a new scientific director Dr. Aser Rothstein. By 1972, Dr. Rothstein was already in the thick of things, working with the team to restructure the institute. learn more
- The Long Arm of John T. Law: beyond the walls of a hospital room (September 3, 2009) He grew up in Rochester, New York and held various administrative posts at the Yale-New Haven Medical Centre while completing a lectureship in public health at Yale University. But, after moving to Toronto and becoming a Canadian citizen, John T. Law played a prominent role in health planning in the province of Ontario and Canada. learn more
- The Glamour of Research (August 26, 2009) In January, 1967 the Committee on Research which governed the Research Institute decided to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees that a Scientific Advisory Committee be established to provide expert advice to the Board on broad policy matters affecting the Research Institute. read more
- Leading Ladies: ConTEXTualizing Genetics (August 20, 2009)
Born in Cheshire England, Dr. Margaret W. Thompson, had a long career devoted to human genetics and its relevance to childhood diseases, particularly muscular dystrophy. She came to Canada with her family in 1926 ... learn more - Tech Support – 60s style (August 13, 2009)
The Research Institute has gone through many organizational changes and enhancements over the years, all in the pursuit of better research outcomes for the benefit of children. The 1969 Annual Report lists 11 research divisions: Anaesthesiology, Bacteriology, Basic Science, Biochemistry, Medical Engineering, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Pathology, Radiology, Surgery and Virology. At the time all but one (Basic Science) was directly linked with clinical care divisions within the Hospital. learn more - It’s a vision thing (August 5, 2009)
Dr. W. S. Hartroft served as Director of SickKids Research Institute from 1961 to 1969. He led the Institute through early stages of development and expansion. The influence of his leadership is still reflected today in how we are structured and function. This is the vision he developed of SickKids Research Institute during his tenure: learn more - SickKids Research Institute, movin’ on up (July 30, 2009)
Ten years after it was first launched, the SickKids Research Institute got new digs. In late May 1964, the Gerrard Street Wing was completed and the 200 scientists, technicians and staff moved into 63,000 square feet of new space. In the 1964 director’s report Dr. W. Stanley Hartcroft described the facilities, “We now have superlative accommodation and elegant operating rooms for our animals and excellent laboratories which are fully equipped with contemporary instrumentation including ultracentrifuges and electron microscopes.” - Surgical precision brings early excellence (July 22, 2009)
Early SickKids Research Institute annual reports illustrate the creativity and innovation of our first researchers as they built and expanded the institute. The 1959 Director’s Report recommended that more resources be allocated to develop our expertise in surgical research. learn more - Summertime is for… student research! (July 16, 2009)
In 1959 it was recommended in the director’s annual report that the Research Institute consider establishing a summer student program. The director argued that this kind of program, though rare in Canada, would be an excellent tool for, “attracting students into the fields of basic science.” Students would not only gain, “techniques” but might also, “learn something of the application of basic science to clinical problems.”
In 1963 the first summer studentships were established at SickKids Research Institute. Students were employed to work in labs for a three-month period assisting with major research projects or pursing their own, supervised projects. Each student received a $200 per month stipend. The SickKids summer research program continues today. learn more - Leading Ladies: diversity, adversity and seeing the unseen (July 8, 2009)
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1917, Dr. (Irene) Ayako Uchida has had a long and exciting career in science starting at SickKids. Overcoming great challenges as a young Japanese Canadian whose family was torn apart by the war, Dr. Uchida persevered and triumphed over considerable challenges. learn more - SickKids Research Institute, internationally speaking (June 25, 2009)
In 1963, a staff exchange was arranged between SickKids and University Hospital, University of the West Indies, Jamaica. SickKids researcher Dr. Andrew Sass-Kortsak was one of four staff members chosen to visit the island and give lectures, conduct clinics and make rounds.
SickKids carries on with that tradition of reaching out to the international community today. Check out the new SickKids International website to learn more. - Centrifugal Force (June 17, 2009)
In May 1964, an Analytical Ultra Centrifuge was installed in the Biochemistry Research Lab in the Gerrard Street wing. Today centrifuges are a standard piece of equipment in most wet labs. There are now more than 380 centrifuges in use in labs across the SickKids Research Institute. - Focusing in on our research at SickKids (June 11, 2009)
In February 1963, an electron microscope was installed in the new electron microscopy suite at SickKids Research Institute. According to the SickKids internal newsletter, Pediatric Patter, “this amazing new piece of equipment, which was imported from Holland at a cost of nearly $40,000.00, has the power to magnify up to 200,000 times ... learn more - Breathing a little easier at SickKids… (June 4, 2009)
In 1962, the SickKids Respiratory Lab was established. The lab was designed to centralize all respiratory gas analyses under the direction of Dr. Sanford Jackson, Chief Biochemist at the Research Institute. Dr. Jackson had previously worked with Drs. Tisdale and Drake in the development of Pablum and Sunwheat Biscuits. - Leading ladies: forging the field of human genetics (May 28, 2009)
Dr. Norma Ford Walker, BA, PhD, FRSC was born in 1893 in St. Thomas, Ontario. Dr. Walker was named the first Director of the newly formed Department of Genetics at the SickKids Research Institute in 1947. learn more - Bits and bytes: research meets digital computing (May 21, 2009)
In 1962, the Research Institute began to investigate how computers could be used to aid research endeavours. Members of the Research Institute attended a one-week course in the basic function of “digital” computers at the IBM centre in Toronto. The 1962 Research Institute Annual Report had this to say about the possible use of computers, “Further work will be carried on in the field as it promises to be a most useful tool and there should be good understanding of them before any prospective study can be properly designed to make the most advantageous use of them.” - Who is the Andrew Sass-Kortsak Award named after? (May 14, 2009)
Dr. Sass-Kortsak’s research focus was metabolic liver disease, specifically Wilson’s disease. Wilson’s disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues; this manifests as neurological or psychiatric symptoms and liver disease. read more - Early innovations in cancer research (April 27, 2009)
SickKids Research Institute radioisotope lab becomes available for use in the Fall of 1956. (Source: SickKids Research Institute Annual Report, 1956) - SickKids Research Institute: from humble, wholesome beginnings (April 17, 2009)
At the beginning of the 1900’s, malnutrition was the leading cause of infant death in Canada. It wasn’t lack of food that was at the heart of the problem, but lack of nutrition. read more