Health Innovation Roundup

The Health Innovation Roundup, sponsored by Health Cities, is written and published weekly by Taproot Edmonton to bring you the latest news and events in research, technology, companies and people changing health for the better in Edmonton.

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Here are some highlights from this week’s Health Innovation Roundup:

Headlines

• The University of Alberta will receive $2 million over the next four years to lead a research hub dedicated to pandemic preparedness as part of a federal program to strengthen biomanufacturing and life sciences. The CBRF PRAIRIE Hub will focus on accelerating the development and commercialization of vaccines, antivirals, and diagnostics for pathogens that could lead to pandemics.
• DiscoveryLab founder Michael Overduin spoke to Taproot about the quarterly event that has been connecting innovators with advisers and investors for the past six years. The March 14 event will include in-person pitches from Simba Nyazika of Lenica Research Group and Michael Weinfeld of WWiKY BioSciences.
• DiveThru, a therapy clinic founded by a mental wellness company of the same name, has opened just south of Whyte Avenue at 10155 81 Avenue NW. CEO Sophie Gray says the clinic, with its colourful and non-clinical interior, focuses on creating a welcoming space that breaks stigmas around mental health. Last November, Gray spoke to Taproot about how DiveThru, which started as a journaling app, transitioned to offering in-person therapy.
• Oscar nominees will receive a pain-relief cream and a calcium supplement from Sinoveda, an Edmonton-based botanical health company. This year’s gift bags will also include a serum from Edmonton’s ecoMD.
• Applications are open until March 26 for the healthtech version of the Founded in Canada showcase from Connection Silicon Valley.
• As part of its partnership with the Juno Awards, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is putting on a session on March 11 on how smart prosthetic devices make it easier for people with limb differences to express themselves through music.
• Reg Joseph of Health Cities spoke to Alberta Impact about being a catalyst for the health economy.
• Health Cities published nursing student Becca Moug’s perspective on the opportunities and challenges a nurse faces in today’s climate.
• The Alberta Cancer Foundation has surpassed its goal to raise $30 million through its We Cross Cancer campaign. The money raised will allow for increased capacity in clinical trials at the Cross Cancer Institute. “Those who graciously contributed are supporting future advancements in cancer care happening today, instead of down the road,” said AltaML co-founder Cory Janssen, who co-chaired the campaign with wealth adviser Angus Watt.
• Inuvik Drum wrote about Larga House, a “home away from home for Northerners” that supports elders and others visiting the city for medical treatment.
• Unity Square Dental has installed a wheelchair-accessible dental chair, making it easier and less risky for patients to visit the dentist. “Some places, I have to get two people to transfer me. So here, it just makes a world of difference,” said Ashley Johnston, a patient at the dental clinic.
• An art show called Know Thyself as a Virtual Reality, running at the University of Alberta’s FAB Gallery until March 18, features seven VR artworks that explore how data shapes and reflects our identities. Among the works is a piece called My Data Body, which is based on an MRI of curator Marilène Oliver’s body.

Events

• March 8, 12pm: Enabling older adults through technology: an Alberta case study from Digital Health Canada
• March 9, 4pm: Health Innovators’ Meetup: Transitioning from Academia to Industry at Enterprise Square
• March 10-12: 2023 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Conference at the Matrix Hotel
• March 11, 2pm: JUNO Talk: Bionic Limbs that Enable People to Play & Express Themselves through Music
• March 14, 9am: DiscoveryLab at Enterprise Square
• March 14, 12pm: Info Session: Alberta Accelerator by 500 presented by 500 Global
• March 14, 4pm: Pi(e) Day and Panel Session at the Advanced Technology Centre, co-hosted by the Edmonton Research Park Business Consortium and Technology Alberta
• March 16, 12pm: Dean’s Lecture Series: Understanding the Cost of Emotional Labour in Health Care Settings, presented online
• Until March 18: Know Thyself as a Virtual Reality at FAB Gallery
• March 23: Life Sciences Investment Summit Finale in Calgary

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