CMCC, University of Toronto sign collaboration agreement

The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) has signed an official Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Toronto (U of T), through the Faculty of Medicine, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education to explore education and research collaborations.

The memorandum, a first between the two institutions, will provide opportunities to foster cooperative relationships in areas of research and education. This cooperation could be realized in such areas as research and joint applications for funding; joint educational courses; graduate and undergraduate student mobility; exchange of faculty and participation in, and co-hosting of lectures, meetings, seminars, symposia and conferences.

“We are delighted to have reached this historic moment between our two institutions,” said CMCC president Dr. David Wickes. “CMCC is deeply committed to developing meaningful partnerships with health care professionals and educators of all disciplines to study ways and models to improve the care and ultimately the health of our patients. We look forward to developing many collaborative activities with our colleagues at the University of Toronto.”

Catharine Whiteside, U of T’s Dean of Medicine and vice-provost for relations with health care institutions, welcomed the new partnership saying the move demonstrates the two schools’ commitment to expanding research and educational opportunities across the health-care spectrum.

“We’re delighted to partner with an organization committed to improving health with an evidence-based approach,” said Whiteside about the CMCC.

The agreement between CMCC and the three U of T faculties is an important step forward in advancing research initiatives, according to representatives from these institutions.

“This agreement formalizes research collaborations which have been ongoing between the two institutions for many years,” said Heather Boon, Dean of U of T’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate on studies that answer important health system and patient care questions.”

The representative of the university’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education said he looks forward to further collaboration with the CMCC.

“Our scientists are already engaged in some research collaborations with CMCC colleagues and many of our students use their undergraduate kinesiology degrees as a foundation for subsequent studies in a variety of health disciplines, including chiropractic,” said Ira Jacobs, Dean of U of T’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. “We look forward to expanding our collaborative health science education and research network to include CMCC.”

Instrumental in bringing this agreement to fruition is Dr. Silvano Mior, CMCC research scientist and senior advisor to the president. Mior spearheaded this partnership as well as many other such initiatives that continue to build models of collaboration between academic institutions and between chiropractors and physicians in the community primary health care setting, the CMCC said.

“We have worked collaboratively with a number of U of T faculty in areas of research and education. This agreement is an acknowledgement of the quality of that work and provides a wonderful opportunity to expand into new areas of mutual benefit,” added Dr. Mior.