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The Jewish General Hospital has officially been granted university hospital status, a designation Quebec officials say formalizes its role as a major hub for medical research, teaching and specialized clinical care.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Sonia Bélanger, Quebec’s health minister, called the designation a well-deserved milestone which recognizes “nearly a century of commitment, innovation and excellence in the service of patients.”
While the designation comes at no cost to the provincial government, it opens the door to research and teaching grants for which the institution was previously ineligible.
WATCH | New designation opens door for research at the Jewish General Hospital:
What ‘university hospital’ status means for Montreal’s Jewish General
The Jewish General’s upgraded status as a university health centre opens the door to research and teaching grants for which the institution was previously ineligible.
Also speaking at the news conference, Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, president and CEO of the Integrated Health and Social Services University Network for West-Central Montreal, welcomed the decision, noting that the designation identifies “another pole of excellence within the province.”
However, Rosenberg also pointed out that the hospital is already a “very well-funded organization” with respect to research activities, suggesting the upgrade “isn’t going to change much” on a day-to-day operational level.
“We’re already functioning at the level of a university hospital for years,” Rosenberg said.
“For the people working here, it will give them a sense of pride that the excellent work that they do … has really gotten the appropriate recognition.”