[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Levine_Mark.jpg” caption=”Dr. Mark Levine, chair of the Department of Oncology. File photo.”]McMaster University has been awarded the funds to recruit a research scientist to focus on improving cancer care and delivery, as one of seven new Cancer Care Ontario Research Chairs announced by Cancer Care Ontario.

The McMaster chair will focus on the theme, Patterns of Cancer Care, a priority for Cancer Care Ontario whose aim is to further strengthen cancer research in the province.

Five of the seven chair positions were given to individuals. Two, including McMaster's, were given as an award allowing the recruitment of a particular type of scientist into the position. The awards are for five years, renewable for another three years.

“This is a license to go out and identify an individual of exceptional quality and bring them to McMaster,” said Dr. Mark Levine, chair of the Department of Oncology where the scientist will be located.

“It's a great opportunity to build on our existing strengths in clinical cancer research by linking trialists and health services researchers to enhance translation of research results to patients, community and policy makers.”

In making the announcement, Terrence Sullivan, the president and CEO of Cancer Care Ontario, pointed out that at one point or another every Ontarian will be touched by cancer.

“The Cancer Care Ontario Research Chairs will generate a critical mass of scientists focused on quickly translating research findings into improvements in cancer services and clinical care for cancer patients,” he said.

Ontario has a strong research environment that produces findings recognized at the highest levels of research in Canada and on the global stage. The Cancer Care Ontario Research Chairs program, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is designed to attract leading new scientists to Ontario and support outstanding scientists already working in the province.

“Research is the ultimate lifeline of progress in health care,” said George Smitherman, former Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “This program will enable scientists from across Ontario to make discoveries that will improve the lives of cancer patients. By improving cancer services, we are helping to improve access to quality health care for all.”

The Cancer Care Ontario program, launched this past February, will further strengthen Ontario's cancer research capacity, particularly in its priority areas of population studies, experimental therapeutics, cancer imaging and patterns of care. Cancer Care Ontario has also established a scientist network program that links researchers across Ontario and supports their efforts to translate research findings into clinical practice, including clinical trials.