Western University announces $3.5M endowment for new research chair in nephrology

On Friday, Western University announced a $3.5 million endowment that will go towards a new research chair in nephrology, the subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on kidney disease.
The new chair has been named in honour of Dr. William Clark, a renowned nephrologist and professor emeritus at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Clark was also named to the Order of Canada.
“It's very humbling,” said Dr. Clark. “My accomplishments are a result of working with very talented people.”
He has previously researched the long-term consequences of Canada’s worst E. coli contamination in Walkerton, Ont. back in 2000. During his time at Schulich, Clark focused his research on myeloma kidney disease, screening strategies for kidney disease, and the timing of initiation of dialysis.
Dr. Clark said researchers' number one priority is to prevent the progression of kidney disease and prevent the loss of kidney function.
According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, four million Canadians are living with kidney disease, and more than 50,000 Canadians are being treated for kidney failure.
Symptoms are often silent in the early stages of kidney disease, which could lead to a significant loss in kidney function before symptoms appear.
To fund the research chair, Western matched funds raised through the London Health Sciences Foundation and The Kidney Foundation of Canada.
“The Clark Chair in Nephrology will contribute to developing better practices, policies, tools, and technology, all of which will translate into better treatments and patient care,” said Western President Alan Shepard.
The new research chair has not been chosen yet, however, they will play a key role in attracting and retaining research talent.
“Schulich Medicine’s nephrology program, in collaboration with London Health Sciences Centre, is already among the most comprehensive programs in Canada, treating thousands of patients across Ontario and on the leading edge of breakthroughs to prevent and treat kidney disease,” said Dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Dr. John Yoo.
“Backed by a strong partnership, powered by permanently invested funds, this new research chair will fuel the next generation of promising treatments and therapies,” said Dr. Yoo.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Special rapporteur Johnston rejects call to 'step aside' after majority of MPs vote for him to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to assure Canadians that his government is adequately addressing the threat of foreign interference took a hit on Wednesday, when the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside,' a call Johnston quickly rejected.

UPDATED | 'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.
Engaged couple shot dead days before moving out of house near Hamilton
An engaged couple was shot dead while fleeing their landlord near Hamilton just days before they were scheduled to move out of their apartment.
Federal Court of Appeal: Canada not constitutionally obligated to bring home suspected ISIS fighters
The Government of Canada has won its appeal and will not be legally forced to repatriate four Canadian men from prisons in Northeast Syria.
Canadian consumer debt hits all-time high, reaching $2.32 trillion in Q1 2023: TransUnion
Amid interest rate hikes and high inflation, more Canadians are turning to credit for relief, with consumer debt hitting a new record in the first quarter of 2023.
Canada closing in on deal to get Stellantis battery plant back on track: Champagne
A deal to save a $5-billion electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor is inching closer, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Wednesday.
House moving to midnight sittings as Liberals blame Conservatives for stalling agenda
It's that time of year again where MPs will be sitting until midnight until the House rises in late June, as the federal government pushes to pass as many bills as it can before the summer legislative hiatus. On Wednesday, Government House Leader Mark Holland announced that the Commons will be working late 'every single night … from here until the finish.'
Medication shortage in Canada led to increased dosing errors in children, new study shows
A new study has found that dosing errors in children increased during the Canada-wide shortage of paediatric fever and pain medication last year.
What you may not have known about bladder cancer
Although bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Canada, experts say there’s a significant lack of awareness surrounding whom it affects the most — statistically, men — and that the most common risk factor is smoking.