Two health innovation programs move into campus’ new building

The McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery is the new home for two Faculty of Health Sciences programs focused on health entrepreneurship.

The McLean Centre on McMaster University’s main campus began occupancy last month, and will house the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization (BDC) program and the Department of Surgery’s Innovation through Design, Evidence & Acceleration (IDEA) program. The building, primarily occupied by the DeGroote School of Business, offers faculty and students a path to advance innovation and solve complex problems.

“We are delighted to see these two programs focused on the intersection of discovery and commercialization find a home in the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery,” said Nancy Baxter, vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The McLean Centre is a 10-floor building designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and student engagement. It features a welcoming ground floor and includes modern learning environments such as a 240-seat auditorium, digital classrooms, and a multimedia studio. The floor occupied by the Faculty of Health Sciences has an active learning classroom as well as ample space for faculty and staff to work in an open, collaborative environment.

“Relocating the BDC program to the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery opens up exciting new opportunities for our students,” said Sara Andres, program director and associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences.

The connection between bold ideas and transformative action is one that is at the heart of IDEA, a new McMaster academic contract research organization which accelerates entrepreneurship into surgical education and research.

“IDEA specializes in designing, executing, and accelerating high-impact clinical trials across surgical procedures, drugs, and medical devices – and so our proximity to the DeGroote School of Business and the cutting-edge design of the McLean Centre is most fitting,” said Mohit Bhandari, chair of the Department of Surgery and lead of IDEA.

The building will also facilitate greater interactions between the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and DeGroote School of Business, particularly through joint initiatives such as the Health Leadership Academy – a transformative initiative that offers programming designed to equip current and emerging leaders with the skills, mindset, and networks needed to navigate the complexity of the healthcare landscape.

The McLean Centre has been made possible through the generous support of alumni, faculty and community organizations, including the lead donor, alumnus Paul McLean (B.Sc. ‘80, MBA ’81). Visit McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery for more information.

This article was originally published by McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences. Read it here.