David Braley and Nancy Gordon support research at McMaster University
[img_inline align=”left” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Braleygift5.jpg” caption=”David Braley, Nancy Gordon and Peter George”]David Braley, president of Hamilton-based Orlick Industries Limited, and his wife, Nancy Gordon, are backing research into two areas that are vital to our local, provincial and national economies: health care and advanced manufacturing.
Braley and Orlick Industries are providing $1 million to endow a research chair in advanced manufacturing engineering at McMaster University's Manufacturing Research Institute.
In addition, Braley and Gordon are providing $1 million for the establishment of a chair in family medicine at McMaster.
“McMaster is a world-class research institution with a proven track record for innovation in health care and engineering. The two research chairs will be permanent assurances that McMaster continues to play a key role in these areas,” Braley said during a presentation ceremony today.
“It is in all our interests to ensure that McMaster remains one of the finest universities in Canada. And it needs all our resources in order to accomplish that,” Braley said.
Nancy Gordon said the contribution to family medicine reflects her background as a registered nurse. “This donation for a chair in family medicine will help ensure we all work better to provide the best support systems for families. After all, we're all here to help each other and to promote life,” Gordon said.
McMaster President Peter George said all Canadians will benefit from the advances that will be made both in the practice of family medicine and in the transfer of new technologies to the automotive and aerospace industries.
“David and Nancy's generosity and leadership will strengthen health science and engineering at McMaster. It will also enhance the local economy and build upon Hamilton's growing reputation as a leader in health care reform and manufacturing innovation,” George said.
The donation for family medicine will enable McMaster to establish a Centre of Excellence and hire a world-class researcher to build upon the current body of scholarship in this area. This will include finding new ways to educate family doctors, identifying ways for family physicians to better communicate with their patients and strengthening the role of family doctors as the cornerstone of the health care system.
The Braley-Orlick Chair in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering will be responsible for research in the areas of machining, metal forming and polymer processing. This research will advance the automotive, tool, die and mold, power generation and aerospace industries in Ontario.
The chair holders are yet to be named.
David Braley is president and owner of Orlick Industries Limited, a manufacturer of automotive parts which employs more than 700 people. He is also owner of the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League, vice-chair of the CFL Board of Governors and owner of the Vancouver 86ers soccer club. Braley attended Westdale Secondary School and McMaster University.
