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
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.