CDN $3-million donation to
support diversity in dermatology research, training and
care
TORONTO and MONTREAL, Feb. 15,
2022 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global research and
development-based biopharmaceutical company, has made a CDN
$3-million donation to establish a
pioneering AbbVie Chair in Ethnodermatology at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of
Medicine. One of the first positions of its kind in the world, the
Chair will drive collaborative academic research, provide advanced
training to the next generation of dermatological practitioners,
and lead outreach programs to better inform equitable, diverse and
inclusive dermatological care in Canada and around the world.
"In a field that focuses on skin, dermatology has a
particular responsibility to identify and address racial inequities
that influence health outcomes," says Dr. Patricia Houston, Temerty Medicine's Acting Dean
and Vice-Dean, Medical Education. "We now recognize there
are major gaps in what we know about and how we teach the approach
to assessment and treatment of different skin types. The
creation of the AbbVie Chair in Ethnodermatology represents a
milestone philanthropic investment in our Faculty's ongoing efforts
to advance health equity, and positions U of T, AbbVie and
Canada as global leaders in the
emerging field of inclusive dermatology."
Endowed chairs are maintained in perpetuity and are among the
most prestigious appointments in academia. They are a powerful
recruitment tool for the most talented clinicians and researchers —
allowing for advancement in scholarship and research, while also
showcasing a long-term commitment to a specific discipline.
Filling Gaps and Addressing Inequities
The chair's
establishment comes in response to growing calls from clinicians,
researchers and patients to address longstanding gaps and
inequities in dermatological research, education and patient care.
In particular, there is increased recognition of the need for new
investigations into the distinct impacts of skin conditions on
patients of colour, for better and more in-depth data on the
disparities in dermatological care provided to different
populations, as well as for greater representation of skin of
colour in medical education programs and curricula.
"Richly-pigmented skin is not the same in many ways — the
biochemistry, biology and diseases that affect it are
different," says Dr. Marissa
Joseph, assistant professor with U of T's Temerty Faculty of
Medicine and medical director of the RKS Dermatology Centre at
Women's College Hospital. "By not studying and learning the
differences in presentation of disease in skin of colour, there's
an increased likelihood of misdiagnosis, treatment delays, and/or
the application of inappropriate treatment approaches – all of
which can have catastrophic impacts on patients. As a clinician and
educator, I welcome the creation of the AbbVie Chair in
Ethnodermatology and believe it can be a powerful catalyst for
change."
The need for AbbVie's gift has also never been more relevant –
nor more pressing – than it is today. According to Statistics
Canada demographic projections, the proportion of Canadians who
belong to a visible minority group will increase greatly by 2031.
Visible minority groups could soon comprise 63% of the population
of Toronto, 59% of Vancouver and 31% of Montreal1.
The inaugural chairholder will have a broad educational and
research mandate. This will include leading the development of
curricula to ensure future physicians and dermatologists are
adequately trained to diagnose and treat skin conditions in persons
of colour and to apply principles of inclusive dermatology, as well
as undertaking much-needed clinical investigations into skin
disorders and diseases' distinct impact on people of
colour.
Tracey Ramsay, Vice-President and
General Manager of AbbVie Canada adds, "We believe it is
important to ensure all Canadians have equal, fair and inclusive
disease care. Equality, diversity and inclusion are among our core
corporate principles and the creation of this chair is a
step forward in enhancing dermatology diversity and cultural
inclusion. Together with U of T, we have an opportunity to be part
of a solution that will evolve the way skin care is researched,
taught and practiced in Canada and
hopefully across the globe."
Dr. Christina Pelizon, Country Medical Director, AbbVie Canada
adds; "We're focused on delivering treatments in areas of high
unmet medical need and as a leader in dermatology research and
treatment, AbbVie is committed to the pursuit of innovation.
Ultimately, this Chair will provide us a better understanding on
how we can continue to make a remarkable impact on the lives of
people living with serious skin diseases."
About the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Founded in 1843,
the University of Toronto's Temerty
Faculty of Medicine consistently ranks among the top medical
faculties in the world. More than a quarter of all Canadian
physicians train at U of T. Together with the world-renowned
hospital partners that make up the Toronto Academic Health Science
Network, Temerty Medicine delivers innovative and impactful
biomedical research, education and patient care that advance health
and health care in Canada and
beyond. For more information about Temerty Medicine, please visit
temertymedicine.utoronto.ca or follow us on Twitter
@uoftmedicine.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a highly focused
research-driven biopharmaceutical company that discovers and
delivers innovative medicines that solve serious health issues
today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. AbbVie
strives to make a remarkable impact on people's lives across
several therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye
care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition
to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
For more information about AbbVie, please visit www.abbvie.ca.
Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter or find us on LinkedIn.
About AbbVie in Dermatology
For more than a decade,
AbbVie has worked to uncover new solutions and improve care for
people with serious skin diseases. With a broad clinical trial
program, we continue to actively research and adapt to the evolving
needs of the dermatology community and advance our pipeline to help
people achieve their treatment goals and live beyond their skin
disease.
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1 "Ethnic diversity and immigration",
Canada Yearbook 2011. Statistics
Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/11-402-x/2011000/pdf/ethnic-ethnique-eng.pdf?st=RK5ALCv9
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SOURCE AbbVie Canada