Investment in Centre of Excellence in Health Care Artificial Intelligence to Include Niagara Health System

NIAGARA FALLS, ON - The 2018 Ontario budget, delivered at Queen's Park yesterday, includes a targeted investment up to $10 million to create a Centre of Excellence in Health Care Artificial Intelligence at the new Niagara South Hospital Site in Niagara Falls. The government is partnering with Niagara Health System, St. Joseph’s Health System Hamilton, McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences and the Vector Institute, in a collaborative effort between academic and private sector interests on this initiative.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform patient outcomes and quality of care. For example, AI can provide clinicians with powerful tools to identify cancer, pneumonia and heart disease risk; assist in monitoring intensive care patients; and help identify the most effective drugs for individuals based on their personal genome.

Mayor Jim Diodati, invited to Queen’s Park for the announcement, stated that “This important investment signals a sea change in how Niagara Falls is perceived - not only as a world class tourist destination, but as an innovative hub for leading edge artificial intelligence, big data and supercomputing. This announcement puts Niagara Falls and our new hospital in a leadership position to translate Canada’s investment in AI into dramatically enhanced patient care, improvements in the work life of health care providers, and the provision of high tech employment opportunities.”

Dr. Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Niagara Health System, credits Mayor Diodati with being instrumental in driving this initiative stating “Jim has been relentless in the pursuit of bringing an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence component to the new Niagara South Hospital.”

The new Niagara South Hospital site is to be located on Montrose Road at the corner of Lyons Creek Road in Niagara Falls.

This announcement supports Niagara Falls City Council’s Strategic Priorities of Economic Growth and Prosperity, and a Healthy and Safe Community.

For more information, contact:
Serge Felicetti
Director of Business Development
Phone: 905-356-7521 ext. 5102
Email: sfelicetti@niagarafalls.ca