SickKids Research Institute celebrates 55 years
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2009 marks the Research Institute’s 55th anniversary. In its first year, the Research Institute completed 47 projects with the aid of 27 full-time and 23 part-time scientists, 41 technicians and 13 secretaries. As part of our yearlong celebration, we will be periodically featuring facts and articles about the Research Institute’s history on both RI web and the Research Institute's home page.
Below is an excerpt from the Research Institute’s First Annual Report in 1954
“Research work has formed an important part of the activities of The Hospital for Sick children for many years, and has contributed in no small measure to the establishment of the institution as a leading centre for the study and care of diseases of children.
The research programme of the Hospital was administered from 1929 to 1949 by Dr. F.F. Tisdall, well-known for his work on nutritional problems. On the death of Dr. Tisdall, direction was taken over by Dr. T.G.H. Drake, a close associate of Dr. Tisdall, and himself an expert on nutrition. Under the guidance of Doctors Tisdall and Drake, the research program of the Hospital expanded considerably, especially following the end of World War II, when increased contributions for medical research became available from various departments of the Government of Canada, as well as from private organizations.
In due course, it became evident that reorganization was desirable, and at the end of 1953, the Chairman of the Hospital announced the creation of The Research Institute of The Hospital for Sick Children, effective January 1, 1954.
Dr. A.J. Rhodes, who had succeeded Dr. T.G.H. Drake as Director of Research on July 1, 1953, was named as Director of the Institute, with the following as members of the Committee on Research to supervise the activities of the Institute: Dr. A.L. Chute, Dr. R.M. Wansbrough, Mr. J.H.W. Bower, with Mr. J.S. Crawford as Secretary…
It must be emphasized that the Research Institute is an integral part of The Hospital for Sick Children, with roots in every Department and deriving its strength through these roots. The term “Institute” denotes an administrative entity, and not any specifically located part of the Hospital. Research projects of the Institute are carried forward in many Hospital Departments which also have routine duties, although the Departments of Biochemical Research, Genetics, and Virus Research engage only in research work.”
- Dr. A. J. Rhodes, Director of the Research Institute
April 2, 2009