BRAMPTON, ON – “Brampton is poised for big things in the health and life sciences sector.”
Maria Britto, past Chair of Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), was passionate about Brampton’s positive future as she moderated the six-member expert panel at the City’s breakfast networking symposium: Building Brampton’s Unique Health Cluster.
The event included panel discussions and an interactive networking session with businesses and organizations, designed to provide valuable insights and connections into Brampton’s growing Health and Life Sciences sector.
Brampton is experiencing incredible momentum in new developments, business and growth in the Health and Life Sciences sector. A recently released study highlights the opportunities and a core strategy for developing a preventive care focused health cluster around the recently opened Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.
The panelists echoed Britto’s optimism, and shared their experiences and thoughts on the challenges and opportunities ahead as Brampton develops its unique health cluster.
The study recommends building this cluster with a focus on preventive care. This niche within the health sector complements the service focus at Peel Memorial, takes advantage of growing trends, and would differentiate Brampton from health sectors across the GTA. This type of cluster will attract businesses involved with big data, health apps, population-based research and personalized medicine.
The City’s Economic Development and Culture Office kicked off 2017 with a new focus on four key sectors, including Health and Life Science. Martin Bohl recently joined the City as Sector Manager for Health and Life Science to provide dedicated, expert leadership in attracting jobs and innovation in this area.
The City’s strategic Health Partnerships initiative is strongly connected to its economic development efforts in this sector. The Health Partnerships initiative is led by Bob Darling, Director, Economic Development and Culture, and focused on building connections with healthcare and business to drive innovation, growth, jobs and investment and improve quality of life for Brampton residents.
Interactive look at the City’s Health and Life Sciences sector
For an interactive and visual presentation of some components of the City’s Health and Life Sciences Sector, visit http://arcg.is/2taS7eU on your mobile device or computer.
Panelists
• Maria Britto, past Chair of Central West LHIN, Moderator
• Dr. Ronald Heslegrave, Chief of Research, William Osler Health System
• Dr. Naveed Mohammad, Vice President Medical Affairs, William Osler Health System
• Jason Field, President and CEO, Life Sciences Ontario
• Hy Eliasoph, VP, Strategic Engagements and Partnerships, Atlas Global Health Care
• Richard Obuhowich, CEO, 3-Terra
• Neil Davis, Partner, Davis Webb LLP
Quotes
“We all know that something exciting is happening here. Brampton is poised to emerge as a life sciences hub, and with our extraordinary health care institutions we are innovating the way care is provided in our city, across the Province and across Canada.”
– Mayor Linda Jeffrey
“We were very pleased to see so many of our health and life science sector partners out today sharing in our vision. Between our panelists and other participants like the RIC Centre and Dynacare, we have a key stakeholder group working together to bring even more investment in Brampton.”
– Bob Darling, Director, Economic Development and Culture, City of Brampton
“A key factor for the success of any life sciences cluster is having a solid plan and a vision to get there. It can’t be everything for everybody. Instead a successful cluster needs to focus on a few key areas of strength. Importantly there also needs to be infrastructure support to help people with great ideas be successful.”
– Dr. Ronald Heslegrave, Chief of Research, William Osler Health System
“It’s really important to have a vision, and have all stakeholders buy into that vision. There needs to be a focus on areas of strength, but also still be open to where the next area of innovation will be.”
– Jason Field, President and CEO, Life Sciences Ontario
“The public and private sectors must work together. We need leadership, focus and execution, bringing the key players together to drive innovation and create value.”
– Hy Eliasoph, VP, Strategic Engagements and Partnerships, Atlas Global Health Care
