VCHRI executive director Dr. Robert McMaster looks back at a successful 2013 and what’s ahead for 2014.
How did you become executive director of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) and what are your favorite aspects of the job?
I became executive director of VCHRI in 2008. I’ve also served as head of the UBC Department of Medical Genetics and head of Medical Genetics for the Women’s Health Centre for British Columbia from 2000 to 2010. My favorite aspect of this job is knowing that we’re providing an incredibly demanding, complex and rewarding service to British Columbians and the province as a whole. Our research community continues to answer very complex questions and the impact to public health in terms of improving quality of life, extending lives, and contributing to a robust research industry in B.C. is substantial.
What values does VCHRI hold as an organization?
We value rigor in our approach to the research process – in our exploration, methods, testing and knowledge translation. VCHRI is an organization that values openness and transparency. We believe in taking a multi-disciplinary approach to discovering new treatment options for all British Columbians. We support the B.C. economy through the creation of news jobs and technology transfer. This year, VCHRI placed fifth on Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospital List.
In what ways are you proudest of VCHRI and what have been some organizational highlights of 2013?
It’s with great pleasure that we have established a new research program and area this year. The Rehabilitation Research Program at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre will discover innovative solutions to optimize the outcomes of rehabilitation and improve the lives of those with disabilities and their families. Pancreas BC is dedicated to advancing research to find effective detection methods and better treatments for pancreatic cancer patients. We continue to strengthen relationship with our research centres, programs and areas, and together we bring health research from the labs to patients.
We also made significant progress in establishing and launching research education programs, such as the Audit & Inspection Preparedness Program (AIPP), which we encourage our researchers to participate in. We have been successful with our internal funding competitions and we continue to gain significant support in our clinical trials.
Finally, our Innovation and Translational Research Awards were launched this year to support research projects led by VCH care professionals and researchers. The competition asks our researchers to demonstrate how the outcome of their research projects can be applied to improvements in patient care and/or the health care system; enable successful local, provincial, national grant funding; and create commercial opportunities.
What are your aspirations for VCHRI in terms of accomplishments in 2014?
I look forward to another year of fascinating new discoveries that ultimately benefit patients accessing health resources. Similarly, I hope the New Year brings with it research resulting in improvements in the field of preventative care and measures as well as knowledge translation. I’d like VCHRI to continue attracting the world’s best and brightest researchers while also benefiting the provincial economy. In 2014, I anticipate seeing continued integration of research and patient care resulting in healthier communities.
Any words of encouragement and inspiration for the researchers, trainees, and staff at the VCH research community?
Continue exploring, asking questions, and seeking answers. Remember that your work is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of British Columbians. Thank you for not only maintaining high quality standards in your work, but constantly elevating those standards, and representing VCHRI among our colleagues and the organizations and companies we’ve built valuable partnerships with.
Finally, please share my appreciation with your families – I know that your demanding and hard work often means time away from loved ones and I cannot express enough gratitude for the dedication you all show every day. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
