It's a vision thing
Dr. W. S. Hartroft served as Director of SickKids Research Institute from 1961 to 1969. He led the Institute through early stages of development and expansion. The influence of his leadership is still reflected today in how we are structured and function. This is the vision he developed of SickKids Research Institute during his tenure:
“Our ultimate goal is, of course, to improve as rapidly as possible measures available to the clinician for the successful prevention of disease in newborn infants and children. Prophylaxis should be, and is, the primary goal, but rapid diagnosis, successful treatment and accurate prognosis in cases of established sickness are scarcely less worthwhile objectives. The entire organization of the Institute as well as its present and proposed physical facilities has been designed to achieve these goals by:
- Placing in the hands of the clinical investigators the best available contemporary tools of modern research.
- Bringing to the elbow of the clinical investigator, qualified and established basic medical scientists with whom he can collaborate readily in.
- Bringing as speedily as possible advances from the basic science laboratories to the bedside of the sick child.
- Training young men to be effective paediatric researchers."