THUNDER BAY – HEALTHBEAT – Dr. Michael Wood steps into a new role at Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Wood’s new joint appointment strengthens linkages and aligns the strategies to meet goals of improving patient care, patient experiences, and patient outcomes.
“TBRHSC is privileged to have a research institute with incredible initiatives and globally recognized scientists. To lead them, we are thrilled to welcome Michael Wood in this new role,” notes Andree Robichaud, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Centre.
Keith Jobbitt, Board Chair, TBRRI, says Wood is the right person to lead TBRRI into its next phase of activity, “We are about to launch a new five-year plan that builds on our current momentum in addressing problems that affect patients through a progression from discovery science to translational research to commercialization. Dr. Wood’s impressive business and science background will guide our continued success,” he explains.
Dr. Wood held the position of Manager of Research Collaboration for the Global MR Business at GE Healthcare, where he championed a strategy for academic research collaborations. Previously he managed the product line of 1.5T MR systems globally. He holds a PhD in Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto where he was a Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Medical Imaging.
Wood joined TBRRI and TBRHSC as VP Research in 2010 to provide strategic research leadership in discovery, translational research and clinical trials. “Our world-recognized scientists conduct globally significant research that fuels a burgeoning imaging cluster in Thunder Bay and the province. I am honoured to lead them in this new capacity,” Wood says.
The Health Sciences Discovery Fund is vital to the growth of research capacity. Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation notes that today’s announcement is yet another sign that donors will see continued returns on their investment. “Dr. Wood’s leadership will ensure the ongoing advancement of significant medical research here in Northwestern Ontario, and around the world,” he says.