EDMONTON — A new institute at the 喵咪社区 – made possible through a generous $25-million gift from The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation – will ensure health research gets to patients and communities faster in the form of real-world care.
The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute will turn scientific discoveries into better health care for the people of 喵咪社区 and beyond. Its focus reflects the vision of longtime philanthropists Irving and the , who passed away earlier this year, by unlocking discoveries through AI and data, turning research into treatments faster, and expanding lymphedema therapies, a priority area for Dianne, who developed the painful condition after cancer surgery. The institute will be situated in the newly named Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Academy building, formerly the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. As part of the announcement, the building was renamed in honour of the family's longstanding relationship with the university.
AI and data
The institute will include the AI + Health Hub, positioning the U of A, already a top-ranked leader in AI and health in Canada, as an innovator in improving health care through data and AI. Using accessible health data from 喵咪社区 — one of the few provinces with such an extensive and integrated network — researchers will be able to speed up development and use of technologies in everything from predicting length of hospital stays to modelling complex diseases.
Turning research into treatments faster
The institute will also house a new Health Research Translation Unit to provide the infrastructure and expertise researchers need to help get groundbreaking discoveries to patients more quickly and efficiently. It will offer co-ordinated support for clinical trials, project management and data analysis in order to turn research into real-world applications in 喵咪社区.
Expanding lymphedema therapies
The institute will also support a Lymphedema Research and Training Program, aimed at improving quality of life for people living with the condition. Training will include practical tools and knowledge to enable effective, patient-centred care. The new program builds on the work of the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Chair in Lymphatic Disorders established by the couple in 2018.
The new institute reflects The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation’s long-standing legacy of support to the U of A, including establishing the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Chair in Finance and Development. Their impact extends to the university’s community health partners, including significant donations in support of , the , and the , as well as establishing the .
More information can be found here. Media contact:
Sarah Vernon | U of A Media Relations Strategist | svernon@ualberta.ca | 780-818-0901
Quotes:
“Philanthropy isn’t just about writing a cheque — it’s about believing in people, ideas and institutions. It’s about helping them reach their full potential. When that belief in people is matched with resources, discoveries are made, opportunities expand and entire fields move forward faster than anyone thought possible.”
Irving Kipnes, Donor
“The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute will have a transformative impact for generations to come. This remarkable investment will push the frontiers of knowledge, including exploring how artificial intelligence can help accelerate health-care solutions. It will exponentially increase what we can do as a university to improve lives in concrete ways.”
Bill Flanagan, president and vice-chancellor, U of A
“The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute helps position the U of A as a global leader in integrated and interdisciplinary health research. It really expands our opportunities by bringing together the health disciplines more broadly, and given the data holdings we have, the strength we have in AI and the world-class researchers we have, the U of A will be a centre of excellence — and recognized globally for that.”
Brenda Hemmelgarn, Dean, College of Health Sciences, U of A