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Research
New health informatics chair at Algoma
University
 SAULT STE. MARIE,
Ont. – Algoma University, in conjunction with ESRI Canada, is pleased to
announce the appointment of Dr. Nicola Shaw (pictured) as Health
Informatics Research Chair and Scientific Director for the Health
Informatics Institute. In her new role, Dr. Shaw will build on the
health informatics (HI) research and potential that exists in Ontario’s
Algoma region.
Dr. Nicola (Nikki) Shaw comes to the Health Informatics Institute from
the University of Alberta, where she was named the first Research Chair
of Health Informatics in Western Canada.
Her expertise in applied health informatics positions her well to
capitalize on the innovative HI solutions existing in the region. She
will be looking to facilitate significant local, national and
international research and collaboration in health informatics.
She will also undertake fundamental and applied research that enables
health system innovation, as well as improved and more efficient
patient-centered care.
Dr. Shaw received her Post-Graduate Certification in Health Research
Methods at the University of Central Lancashire, UK 2001; PhD Health
Informatics (University of Central Lancashire in collaboration with
Oxford University Postgraduate Medical Education & Training, UK) 1997;
Professional Certificate from the Market Research Society (UK) 1995; BSc
(Hons) Business Information Systems with Management from the University
of Central Lancashire, UK in 1994; and her HND in Business Information
Technology from the University of Central Lancashire, UK in 1992.
She is a Fellow of the British Computing Society (FBCS), a Chartered
Information Technology Professional (CITP) and a Registrant Level 3
(Highest) of the UK Council for Health Informatics Professionals (UKCHIP).
Dr. Shaw is an Expert Advisor to Canada Health Infoway and has just
completed her term on the Advisory Board for the Institute of Health
Services and Policy Research with the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research. She has undertaken several pan-Canadian research studies in
collaboration with Canada Health Infoway, the Canadian Medical
Association and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute related to the use
of Electronic Medical/Health Records in Canada.
She is an invited member of the COACH Privacy & Security Committee,
which prepares the Canadian Guidelines for the Protection of Health
Information bi-annually. She currently holds over $11 million in
research funding.
Dr. Shaw was recruited to Canada in 2003 by the University of British
Columbia, where she was a Research Scientist with the Centre for
Healthcare Innovation & Improvement at the Child and Family Research
Institute in Vancouver. In April 2006, Dr. Nicola Shaw was appointed as
the first endowed Research Chair of Health Informatics in Western
Canada.
As part of the Integrated Centre for Care Advancement through Research (iCARE),
Dr. Shaw’s appointment was created in partnership between the former
Capital Health and the University of Alberta.
Dr. Shaw’s published work includes two books on technology in primary
care; the 2004, Canadian edition is entitled, “Computerization and Going
Paperless in Canadian Primary Care,” and has become a recommended text
for many physician offices undergoing transition to electronic medical
records.
With an applied social research focus, Dr. Shaw’s research interests
concentrate on developing an understanding around the implementation,
use, and sharing of medical records.
“Health informatics is an important emerging field that has provided
valuable benefits to our community through advancements in healthcare,”
said Dr. Richard Myers, President, Algoma University. “Dr. Shaw’s
expertise will help us expand our research capacity and further develop
and implement best practices in this area, as well as position Algoma
University as a knowledge leader in healthcare.”
The research chair is funded for five years through support from the
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), ESRI Canada and
Algoma University.
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) worked in partnership
with Algoma University on the development of this project. SSMIC’s
strong relationship with ESRI Canada helped facilitate their
contribution to the project, and SSMIC also collaborated with the
National Institutes of Health Informatics (NIHI) to support and develop
this initiative.
Health informatics is an important sector for development in SSMIC’s
strategic plan. As a result, SSMIC recognizes the need to bring in
academic researchers, such as the health informatics research chair, to
help further the work of local researchers in health informatics.
“Sault Ste. Marie has achieved significant success in applying health
informatics to address community health goals, including improving
access to services and preventing the spread of disease,” said Alex
Miller, president, ESRI Canada. “We are proud to support Dr. Shaw in
building on the city’s success in leveraging geospatial technologies to
advance health research and improve the health of all Canadians.”
“It’s important to continue developing the intellectual property and
technology sector in Sault Ste. Marie, which is why our government
provided $684,200 to support innovative health care technology research
at Algoma University,” said David Orazietti, MPP. “Investing in research
that will improve patient care is essential to enhancing our health care
system and it assists our city in attracting and retaining talented
individuals such as Dr. Shaw, who will help position the university as a
leader in health informatics.”
Dr. Shaw will build a health informatics research program based on the
community’s strengths, pursue an active research program and teach one
to two courses per year during her tenure as research chair. The
research program will focus on the area of Primary Care Informatics and
will engage local expertise in the applications of geospatial
technologies, health system management and serious games for health,
e.g., for training, health promotion and rehabilitation.
Academically, the health informatics research chair is important in
helping Algoma University pursue the development of educational programs
and research projects that will contribute to the health informatics
cluster.
About Algoma University
Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences
degree options including programs in Psychology, Computer Science,
Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social
Development, and Biology; Algoma U is committed to offering a personal
education experience unlike any university in Ontario. As the Canadian
home of the internationally recognized MSc CGT from the University of
Abertay Dundee, Algoma University is at the forefront of computer games
technology education. Algoma University also offers accelerated second
degree programs in Business Administration and Computer Science on its
Brampton campus. As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U
is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.
About ESRI Canada
Founded in 1984, ESRI Canada provides enterprise geographic information
systems (GIS) solutions that empower businesses, governments and
educational institutions to make timely, informed and mission-critical
decisions by leveraging the power of geography. The company distributes
the world’s leading GIS software from ESRI, Telvent, Azteca Systems and
other technology partners. Headquartered in Toronto, the company serves
over 10,000 customers from 16 regional offices across Canada and has
been named as one of the top 250 Canadian IT companies and top 25 IT
professional services providers in Canada by the Branham Group.
Information about ESRI Canada can be found at
esricanada.com.
About the Health Informatics Institute
The Health Informatics Institute (HII) is a not-for-profit research
institute located at Algoma University. The institute is focused on
Applied Health Informatics research that improves the efficiency and
effectiveness of the health system. Areas of interest include primary
and community care, geographic information systems (GIS) for health and
games for health. We aim to develop, implement and commercialize
research based innovative technology solutions and best practices and
strive to maintain a strong network comprised of external academic,
government and industrial partners. For more information, go to
www.hiiau.ca
About the National Institutes of Health Informatics
NIHI is a Canada-wide, virtual institute of institutes bringing together
academic experts in Health Informatics. NIHI serves as a catalyzer, co-ordinator
and facilitator that assists in defining, fostering and bonding together
local Health Informatics (HI) initiatives in academia and industry
dedicated to Health Informatics research and education. For more
information, go to www.nihi.ca.
About Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre was founded in 1999 as a catalyst
for economic development activities in the IT and knowledge based
sectors in the Algoma District. It works closely with community partners
to enhance and improve IT sector opportunities. The Innovation Centre is
focused on three core areas: the operation of a business incubator to
encourage the establishment and growth of technology start-ups; the
provision of support services to the SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) IT
community and the development of strategic markets such as the highly
successful GIS project. The Innovation Centre has developed and
implemented an award-winning GIS product, which serves a number of
municipal customers and is responsible for the growth of private sector
GIS firms in the Algoma District.
Posted September 9, 2010
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