October 3, 2006 Source: :
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/061003-2597.asp U of T establishes first chair
in urological
research Funding to support
research, post-doctoral fellowships
Oct 3/06 Urological research is more important than ever before as aging Canadians
face urinary incontinence, prostate cancer and kidney disease on
unprecedented levels. A newly established chair in urological research at
the University of Toronto brings new hope to the many Canadians who suffer
from these sensitive, sometimes life-threatening conditions that can rob
their quality of life. The $2-million Martin Barkin Chair in Urological Research, made possible by
donations from individuals and organizations, will support research in the
Division of Urology at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine.
Named in honour of U of T alumnus and urology researcher Dr. Martin Barkin,
the chair also builds on U of T's reputation as a powerhouse of research
into the cause and treatment of such conditions. "This chair ensures that we can move forward quickly when there are
opportunities for significant advancements in urological research," said Dr.
Sender Herschorn, chair of U of T's Division of Urology and the first Barkin
chair holder. "With this kind of funding, we can hire the right people and
design the right projects. It gives us a lot of independence to pursue the
answers to new questions in all of the important aspects of urology." The Barkin Chair will provide support for research, fund post-doctoral
fellowships and PhD scientists and support innovative research projects and
educational opportunities. The campaign to fund the chair was kicked off by
U of T's urology division. Other donors to the chair include Barkin, Sigmund
Levy, AstraZeneca Canada Inc., and Milton and Ethel Harris. "The chair will help the University of Toronto attract and retain top
clinicians and scientists and bolster our strength in both the national and
global research markets," said Dr. Catharine Whiteside, dean of the Faculty
of Medicine. "Ultimately, the chair will mean better diagnosis and treatment
of urological disease, and better outcomes for patients. Martin Barkin is a
giant in Canadian health care and one of our most distinguished medical
alumni. It's wonderful to see him honoured in this way." Formerly the chief urologist at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health
Sciences Centre, Barkin recently stepped down as the first chair of its
board of directors. He was also Partner and National Head of Health Care for
KPMG Peat Marwick, Deputy Minister of Health for Ontario, President and CEO
of Sunnybrook Hospital, and for 12 years a consulting urologist at St.
Michael's Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. "Life-saving and life-changing drugs and advances in medicine and surgery
are now an integral part of everyone's daily life," said Barkin, "So the
development of new and better agents and therapies is not just the
responsibility of any one agency, government level or company, it is a
cooperative effort that involves us all. Bringing these advances from
laboratory to the patient is the role of the academic clinicians. It is
these that will find their support in the Chair that bears my name. I'm
deeply honoured to have played a part in this very important initiative." Today, prostate cancer affects one in eight Canadian men, while urinary
incontinence affects 25 per cent of middle-aged and older women, and 15 per
cent of older men. Contact: Arlene Clement, Faculty of Medicine, 416-946-8423
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