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The following editorial was provided to Post Media by Dr. David Hill, scientific director, Lawson Health Research Institute. 

Last week the Nobel Prizes for 2017 were announced, recognizing incredible advances in science that will impact all our lives for the better. If you were looking for Canadian scientists amongst the teams, you would be disappointed.

According to a federal government report commissioned by the minister of science titled Investing in Canada’s Future — Strengthening the Foundations of Canadian Research and released in April, Canada’s momentum in the sciences has never been worse.

Our country’s investment in key emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, clean technology, nanotechnology, immunotherapy, bioinformatics or bio-engineering is flat-lined or declining, and falling seriously behind competitor nations.

We are not talking about matching the United States or Germany. Canada invests less in science research and development relative to gross domestic product than does Taiwan or Singapore.

Why should we care?

Because smart science delivers technologies we take for granted every day, such as Siri on our iPhones, minimally invasive surgery and secure online banking.

Science also creates companies, delivers high-paying and rewarding jobs, and is the backbone of the economy.

In London, Ont., jobs that depend on advancing science include those at Lawson Health Research Institute, the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London and where I work; academic institutions such as Western University and Fanshawe College; and local businesses generating health devices, computer software and engineered products. A lack of investment in science could be devastating to our city.

This report places the failure to invest in science at the door of successive federal governments during the past decade.

Of course, it is not only government that should invest in science. It is industry that takes proven scientific findings and translates them into products we all consume.

But these innovative products need to start somewhere, most often in the laboratory. Fostering high risk, fundamental discovery science should be a core responsibility of government in a knowledge-driven economy.

In Canada, the contribution of federal funds to discovery science is now below 25 per cent of the total research investment, and lower than most of our competitor nations. Consequently, research funds are scarce, laboratories are closing, fewer students are receiving advanced training, and fewer new businesses are emerging.

It is not too late.

The report provides evidence to show that Canadian scientists are still respected leaders in their fields. The engine simply needs fuel.

To return Canada’s discovery science enterprise back to 2006 productivity levels, we require an additional investment of $1.3 billion during four years, representing 0.1 per cent of the entire federal budget for each of those years.

The investment quickly pays for itself. Every $1 invested in fundamental research has been calculated to return $2.20 to $2.50 in direct and indirect economic activity.

Next year’s federal budget is being put together right now in Ottawa, and we have an opportunity to reclaim our past reputation as a discovery nation; a nation that brought the world insulin, the Canadarm, Pablum, canola and the electron microscope.

The journey toward that next Canadian Nobel Prize needs to start now.
 

Dr. David Hill
Scientific Director
Lawson Health Research Institute

In a historical-first, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation and Western University announced two research chairs that are a critical step toward new approaches in imaging research and patient care in London and around the world. The combined value of both innovative new research chairs is $6.5M, which will be endowed in perpetuity to advance imaging research at Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute.

The research chairs have been named after the two scientists who are revolutionizing health care through their groundbreaking imaging research – Drs. Ting-Yim Lee and Frank Prato.

“These Chairs build on the legacy of exceptional imaging leadership across our academic, research and healthcare organizations. They are a critical step towards new approaches in medical technology and hospital-based research that will revolutionize patient care,” says Dr. Gillian Kernaghan, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

Research teams in the city are using state-of-the-art imaging technology to help clinicians better predict and diagnose illnesses before their unset. And uncover why, and how, illness forms to one day find a cure to some of the most devastating diseases in the world.

“We’ve come to know medical imaging as one of the cornerstones of innovation and discovery at Lawson, and the two new research chairs represent two monumental leaps forward in the field of imaging research,” adds Dr. David Hill, Lawson Scientific Director.

The Ting-Yim Lee Chair in Cardiac Computerized Tomography (CT) Imaging Research has been established through the generosity of Ting-Yim and Maggie Lee and a joint funding collaboration between St. Joseph’s Foundation and Western University.  

Dr. Ting Yim Lee is a scientist and professor of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, medical physicist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and a scientist with Lawson’s Imaging program. Through his leadership, The Ting-Yim Lee Chair in Cardiac Computerized Tomography (CT) Imaging Research will transform the way clinicians diagnose, and prevent, severe tissue damage in persons who have experienced a cardiac event.

“Over the past 28 years, St. Joseph’s and Western have created opportunities for me and supported my research endeavor in many ways. I feel this gift is the best way to repay the help that I have received. We are onto something that is worthwhile and successful. By setting up this Chair, there would be a significant person – a clinician-scientist – to lead the next phase of the cardiac CT program. I am really humbled that the institutions see the value in this research and have contributed to guarantee that we have the necessary leader to carry forth this development,” says Dr. Lee.

This Chair represents the next phase of CT imaging research, focused on developing software and new methods that will save people’s lives.

The Dr. Frank Prato Research Chair in Molecular Imaging has been established to further enhance scientific understanding in the specialty of molecular imaging – building upon St. Joseph’s internationally-recognized leadership in imaging excellence.

Dr. Frank Prato is a scientist and professor of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Chief Medical Physicist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and the Founder and Program Leader of Lawson’s Imaging Program. Through his visionary leadership, The Dr. Frank Prato Research Chair in Molecular Imaging will improve the way clinicians effectively diagnose disease and actively correct the course of treatments in real time for life-threatening illnesses.

“I am truly honoured to have this Research Chair in Molecular Imaging named after myself. Over the past 40 years I have been privileged to work with outstanding people and incredible resources. Today Medical Imaging has become a cornerstone of care at St Joseph's Hospital. Here at St Joseph's we realize patient stewardship includes research as an essential part of the patient care continuum and that discovery, through research, leads to improved patient care. The holder of this chair will help lead us into the next frontier of medical imaging directly benefiting our local, national and global communities,” says Dr. Prato.

This Chair represents the next phase of precision medicine using molecular imaging to distinguish between varying forms of dementias, cancers, and to detect the early onset of cardiac disease and diabetes before symptoms emerge.

“With this historic announcement, we are marking a new phase of partnership and collaboration between our institutions and celebrating the generosity of donors who have helped create two significant research chairs,” explains Dr. Amit Chakma, President and Vice-Chancellor, Western University. “Together we will ensure that London remains at the forefront of medical imaging research and teaching.”

These Chairs will also have a greater role to play in the local health care community by attracting, and retaining, the research talent needed to innovate the way London’s hospitals and Western tackle the most pressing health issues Canadians face today. 

At Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (Southwest Centre) in Elgin County, the unique story of every individual is honoured as care practitioners assist in the journey toward recovery. Part of the St. Joseph’s Health Care London family, Southwest Centre is devoted to caring for people with a mental illness who have also come into contact with the criminal justice system. 

A new study by Lawson Health Research Institute shows that the use of labyrinths contributes to recovery by promoting spiritual self-care, insight development and personal meaning-making reflection. The research was co-authored by Lawson Allied Scientist and Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner at Southwest Centre, Stephen Yeo, along with his colleagues Dr. Clark Patrick Heard and Jared Scott, both Lawson Associate Scientists and Occupational Therapists. 

“Research has demonstrated that labyrinth-walking can result in increased focus and calm, along with a reduction in blood pressure and stress,” explains Yeo. “Additionally, labyrinth-walking is narrative-driven and highly constructivist in nature, which promotes the opportunity for one to critically reflect on his or her unfolding story.”

This can be done in solitude or a trained facilitator can support important narrative reflection and invite opportunities for integration. 

The process of reflecting and making meaning helps individuals to think about what they observed or did, why it mattered and how they might think or act differently based on new knowledge. This allows them to set goals and use what they’ve learned from the past to inform future action, and to consider the real-life implications. 

Participation supports patients as they cope with mental illness, and the impact is magnified for individuals who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. Their experience can increase existential questions along with spiritual pain and distress.  

Even in the most complex and difficult circumstances, walking the labyrinth facilitates a variety of coping approaches including: 

• stress reduction and mindfulness;
• understanding one’s awareness of relationship with that which is sacred to them (transcendence) and the environment;
• development of ongoing personal narrative and meaning-making; and, 
• kinesthetic prayer and meditation.

Unlike mazes that are like puzzles with many choices of path and direction, labyrinths are created using continuous lines and are easier to navigate with one route to and from the centre. There are two permanent labyrinths at Southwest Centre – one indoors and one outdoors. For the most part, the labyrinths are accessible for self-guided walking and, throughout the year, various group opportunities are scheduled for invited participation. This activity can be continued in the community, as there are labyrinths in various places across the province such as parks, faith communities and other health-care settings. 

“Labyrinth participation supports themes related to hope, coping, resiliency, autonomy – all of which are significant contributors to recovery and the maintenance of well-being. Future research in this area could examine the benefits for different patient populations and also for those who reside in the community.” 

Labyrinths are trans-religious and their application can be beneficial to religious and non-religious participants. They are also easy to maintain and can be installed in a variety of locations. 

Along with his study co-authors, Yeo was honoured with the CASC Group Research Award from the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. The award recognizes a CASC member who collaborates with other professionals in the research field of spirituality, religion and wellbeing. The recipient supports the core values of professional connection and interdependence, promoting positive relationship with colleagues of various professionals as well as clients.  

“Given that this was my first foray into research at this level, I was very humbled to have been nominated for, and to have received, this award,” says Yeo. “I remain especially grateful to the professional guidance and support of my research colleagues.” 

“Walking the Labyrinth: Considering mental health consumer experience, meaning making, and the illumination of the sacred in forensic mental health setting” was published in the December 2015 issue of the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling. This study is believed to be a first of its kind in a forensic mental health care facility.

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Left: Photo of the indoor labyrinth at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care.