New B. C. Institute to Revolutionize Urologic Care

Did you know that urologic diseases in Canada cost over $20 billion each year? That's a staggering amount! To combat this, the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute has launched the M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences. This place will be home to six special centers, each focusing on different parts of the body like the urinary tract, kidneys, and prostate. The institute is the result of a successful fundraising campaign by the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, which raised over $65 million in record time. A big chunk of this money came from a generous donor, Mohammad H. Mohseni, who provided $20 million. The centers at the institute include the Vancouver Prostate Centre, the Centre for Kidney Stones and Minimally Invasive Surgery, and others focused on kidney transplants, sexual health, and adolescent urology. The goal is to provide the best care and research for people dealing with these kinds of health issues.

"With this new institute, British Columbians can get the best care right here in their province, " said Vivian Eliopoulos, president of Vancouver Coastal Health. "We want to make sure that people with prostate, kidney, and other urologic concerns get the best possible treatment. " The institute has already started working, with lots of patients involved in various studies and trials. In 2023/24, they had 15 new trials, enrolled 883 patients in biomarker studies, and started 165 patients on therapeutic trials. Plus, they began 11 new preclinical research agreements. By conducting these trials locally, the institute ensures that B. C. patients are the first to benefit from new innovations without having to leave the province. It's a real game-changer for urologic care!

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