Research Chair to improve stroke care from bench to bedside

SASKATOON - The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce a renewed funding commitment of $1.5 million over five years to Saskatchewan Clinical Stroke Research Chair, Dr. Michael Kelly.

The Heart & Stroke Foundation, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and the College of Medicine will each provide $500,000 in funding from November 2017 to October 2022. The commitment for these funding organizations demonstrates tremendous confidence in Dr. Kelly’s ability to continue leading the revolution of stroke care in Saskatchewan.

Dr. Kelly has held the Saskatchewan Research Chair in Clinical Stroke Research position since 2012. In this role, he is responsible for contributing to local, national, and international improvements in stroke treatment interventions and patient care.

“Dr. Kelly is a natural leader in stroke,” said Dr. Preston Smith, dean of the College of Medicine where Dr. Kelly oversees a robust basic science and clinical research program. “He manages collaborative research teams, provides training to others, publishes research findings, and attracts research funding to the province. As health is one of the University of Saskatchewan’s strategic priorities, basic and clinical stroke research is one of the areas deserving special investment and growth.”

“People in communities across Saskatchewan will benefit from better access to high-quality health care,” said Health Minister Jim Reiter. “Through Dr. Kelly’s leadership, health care teams are now working together to identify, evaluate and treat patients as quickly as possible, no matter where they live in the province.”

 “Since its inception, Heart & Stroke has invested more than $1.45 billion in vital heart disease and stroke research. Our investments have resulted in discoveries that have had a significant impact on health care around the world,” said Yves Savoie, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. “In his first five years, Dr. Kelly and his team worked closely with health system partners to develop the Acute Stroke Pathway following Heart & Stroke best practices. As a result, patients showing signs of stroke now have rapid access to high-quality care in the critical first few hours.”

“Dr. Kelly is providing world-class care to patients and is shaping the future of stroke care though his research program,” said Patrick Odnokon, interim CEO of SHRF. “This is great news for Saskatchewan stroke patients and their families. We are proud to extend this five-year funding partnership, showing how SHRF’s collaborative investments in health research are making a difference on the health of Saskatchewan citizens.”

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For more information, contact:
Kate Blau
Communications Specialist
College of Medicine,
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-6059
kate.blau@usask.ca