BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Earns 2009 CIHR Knowledge Translation Award

published on November 17, 2009

(Vancouver) – The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has honoured the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) with this year’s Knowledge Translation Award. The award includes a grant of $100,000 to support continued contribution from the BC-CfE to health research and translate that knowledge into beneficial policies, procedures and treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada.

“The BC-CfE has done exemplary work in the area of knowledge translation for HIV/AIDS therapies and best practices in Canada,” said Ian Graham, Vice-President, Knowledge Translation, CIHR. “The BC-CfE was selected for this award because of the innovative methods they have employed in improving clinical practice through their training programs for physicians and healthcare providers. They have also successfully established linkages between researchers and knowledge users through their drug treatment program. These activities clearly demonstrate excellence in translating knowledge into action.”

The panel that selected the BC-CfE for this award also commended the BC-CfE for recently securing the support of the provincial government for an innovative pilot project. The project will expand access to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) to the street-involved population in communities hard hit by HIV such as downtown Prince George and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. HAART is an effective therapy that has turned HIV infection into a manageable condition and dramatically increased the life expectancy of patients with HIV.

“I know I speak for everyone at the BC-CfE when I say that this recognition is very significant for us,” said Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BC-CfE. “This award provides BC-CfE with further encouragement and funding on our journey to continue delivering the best in HIV/AIDS research, and helps ensure that the information we receive through our research projects is used wherever possible to make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada and around the world.”

Created in 2000, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency responsible for funding health research in Canada. CIHR supports nearly 13,000 researchers and trainees in universities, teaching hospitals and other health organizations and research centres in Canada.

About the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS:

The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility. The BC-CfE is based at St Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, and a teaching hospital of the University of British Columbia. Located in Vancouver, Canada, the BC-CfE is dedicated to improving the health of British Columbians with HIV through the development, monitoring and dissemination of comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related diseases.

For additional information contact:

Ian Noble
Karyo Edelman
T 604.623.3007 ext. 300
F 604.687.4304
M 604.809.9650
ian.noble@edelman.com

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Earns 2009 CIHR Knowledge Translation Award

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