SEDRD Partners with Gateway Rural Health Research Institute

Gateway RHRI and the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph

Seaforth, Ontario - Gateway RHRI is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph at the Huron East Health Centre, 32B Centennial Drive, Seaforth, on Friday, October 25, 2013 at 1 p.m.

Gateway’s RHRI mission of advancing rural health care through research, education, communication and health advocacy will be enhanced by this partnership with the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph. This will be the fourth educational partnership that Gateway RHRI has with a major academic institution in Ontario.

As quoted from Dr Wayne Caldwell, PhD, RPP, MCIP Director and Professor, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development University of Guelph and also the Rural Chair of Healthy Sustainable Communities with Gateway RHRI, “Rural Health is complex. There are many factors that determine our individual and collective health. This partnership will allow us to jointly explore the relationship between rural health and the physical, economic, environmental and social attributes of rural communities. Gateway is a unique entity within Canada and the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development has a 40 year tradition of research, teaching and outreach that is focused on addressing issues that are of key importance to rural communities. Together we will bring renewed focus and energy to addressing these issues.”

President Gwen Devereaux said, “Gateway RHRI has already realized great benefits through its partnership with the University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy; Georgian College and with Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. These partnerships give Gateway RHRI and the community access to academic leaders, undergraduate and graduate students as well as institutional resources. We are thrilled at the prospect of engaging with the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph to advance research and education in our community.”

Gateway RHRI acts as a portal to “Rural” for academic institutions and facilitates health research locally. Urban academic involvement in our rural communities will provide economic development opportunities for the region.
Huron Business Development Corporation, HealthKick and Gateway RHRI have the common goal of growing the community intellectually and ultimately economically. The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph share this vision and Gateway is very excited about the prospects of this new partnership.