Oshawa’s Ontario Tech renews research partnership with Grandview Kids

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Published February 6, 2023 at 11:17 am

Citing a shared objective to co-create “ethical, sound research that is clinically-relevant and community-informed,” Ontario Tech University and Grandview Kids have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to continue their decades-long partnership in advancing research, innovation and education in Durham Region.

Grandview Kids, Durham’s only Children’s Treatment Centre, provides specialized paediatric rehabilitation care and services to children and youth with communication, physical or developmental needs, as well as support to parents and caregivers.

Ontario Tech has been conducting research and championing advocacy for children with disabilities and their families for many years, particularly through Faculty of Health Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Meghann Lloyd’s 12-year leadership run as the Grandview Kids Research Associate.

Lloyd will continue in her role under the new agreement with Dr. Taryn Eickmeier, the Executive Lead for Research Innovation and Knowledge Mobilization at Grandview Kids, welcomed by Ontario Tech as an Adjunct Professor.

“It has been my honour and my privilege to have been welcomed into the Grandview community over the past 12 years. The research my students and I have accomplished would not have been possible without the trust and support of the staff, clinicians, and most of all the families who access services at Grandview Kids,” said Lloyd. “The work we do is first and foremost focused on the children and their families; I am forever grateful for all the lessons I have learned from each child who has been welcomed into my lab for a research study and I am delighted to continue in my new role … with this new MOU in place to drive our partnership forward.”

Signed February 2, the MOU will enable further exploration of experiential learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, joint research activities across different faculties, academic and non-academic programming, innovation, and entrepreneurship that connects students and faculty with the community.

The research opportunities enabled by Ontario Tech provide families who access services at Grandview Kids with enhanced opportunities to potentially benefit their child’s development. The partnership also contributes to the science that will advance clinical and educational opportunities for the children of the future.

“Ontario Tech University is exceptionally proud of the legacy of its long-standing relationship with Grandview Kids, and how our shared commitment to innovative research has delivered solutions to benefit families in Durham Region,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Murphy. “Our agreement solidifies our ongoing work to support the families of children and youth with disabilities and serves as a powerful example of how the pursuit of discovery, innovation, ideas, and insights can translate into real-world, community-led, evidence-informed initiatives.”

Grandview Kids uses scientific evidence and innovation to address the challenges experienced by its clients, said CEO Tom McHugh, who also recognized the need to explore “novel interventions” to improve clinical, therapeutic and medical care for children and youth with disabilities.

“Grandview Kids has long benefited from collaboration with Ontario Tech University, using evidence-informed research to improve programs and services for children and youth with communication, developmental and physical needs,” McHugh said. “We are eager to strengthen our alliance with the university through this formal agreement, partnering in new ways to drive local innovation for those we serve, support, teach and employ across Durham Region.”

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