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A Crucial STEPP Forward

TD Makes Transformative Donation Towards Research & Innovation at NYGH

NYGH recently received a $1 million donation over five years from TD Bank Group (TD) in support of the STEPP Lab. Alicia Rose, AVP, Social Impact, Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship at TD shared that “TD is proud to support the innovative TD STEPP Lab through our corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment. By combining clinical expertise with advanced research and technology, the TD STEPP Lab will help pave the way for improved health outcomes for seniors and those with neurological disorders.”

We recently sat down with NYGH Researcher Dr. Ervin Sejdic to chat about the hospital’s cutting-edge TD STEPP Lab, and how the invaluable support of TD Bank Group (TD) will help community-focused healthcare solutions transform from ‘vital idea’ into ‘tangible reality’.

A Crucial STEPP Forward

TD Makes Transformative Donation Towards Research & Innovation at NYGH
Dr. Ervin Sejdić Chair in Artificial Intelligence for Health Outcomes

NYGH recently received a $1 million donation over five years from TD Bank Group (TD) in support of the STEPP Lab. Alicia Rose, AVP, Social Impact, Sustainability & Corporate Citizenship at TD shared that “TD is proud to support the innovative TD STEPP Lab through our corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment. By combining clinical expertise with advanced research and technology, the TD STEPP Lab will help pave the way for improved health outcomes for seniors and those with neurological disorders.”

We recently sat down with NYGH Researcher Dr. Ervin Sejdic to chat about the hospital’s cutting-edge TD STEPP Lab, and how the invaluable support of TD Bank Group (TD) will help community-focused healthcare solutions transform from ‘vital idea’ into ‘tangible reality’.

Hi there Dr. Sejdic, would you please tell us a little bit about yourself in your own words?

“I’m the Director of the TD STEPP Lab at North York General Hospital (NYGH) and a researcher in Artificial Intelligence for Health Outcomes at the hospital. I’m also an associate professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto.”

In my career I’ve gone from a theoretical data scientist to really, a translational data scientist. Because while it’s great to develop novel algorithms, if the discoveries that result from them aren’t translated into useful tools, then what is the point?

At North York General I saw an opportunity to not only do math and the geeky stuff but to actually help humans at the end of the day. I can’t think of anything better.”

Speaking of NYGH – when it comes to our Research & Innovation program, what sets this hospital apart from others you’ve worked with?

“Our strength here is the fact that we’re doing community medicine. That’s different from conducting research in an academic center where there is generally a dedication to a specific population. At NYGH we’re trying to address many aspects of human health because we’re treating the whole community.

The authentic diversity of this place has been reflected back to me many times throughout my work. For example, I was working with somebody at Stanford and I mentioned I worked at North York General and this guy said ‘oh I was born there’. It’s really not that uncommon that this happens. I ran into a person in Pittsburgh who also said his wife was born here. The scope of our care is pretty incredible.”

Having been immersed in the R&I space at NYGH for several years, how will the recent, and immensely generous donation of $1M from TD transform the way research is conducted here at NYGH?

“This incredible show of support will not only help us to establish a dedicated space for our lab within the hospital but will also ensure that some of the vital research initiatives that are being conducted on the ground here at NYGH will be sustained into the future.

At the end of the day research is very expensive — especially the applied research that we are so proud to be a leader in here at NYGH. This TD grant will see that the solutions we’ve worked so hard to come up with as a team, might be deployed in the hospital setting, enhancing and improving care for both patients and clinicians in real time.”

We consider this collaboration with TD like a badge of honour – it is a recognition that we are doing meaningful work, and work that is poised to have a profound impact on the people of North York and the greater community. We are extremely grateful.”

What are some of the interesting projects that this incredible show of support from TD will help to bolster?

“Among many initiatives, the R&I team at NYGH is currently making groundbreaking strides in the realm of Senior Care through the research and development of predictive technologies.

TD’s generous donation will allow us to continue our research and development in this space and push forward such AI-driven initiatives as an app-based fall-predicting platform, a device that would detect swallowing difficulties before escalation and another that flags patients who are at risk for heart attacks using ECG algorithms.”

What do you foresee going forward with respect to R&I at North York General?

“We’re thrilled to move forward with the establishment of a physical space for our TD STEPP Lab, which I envision to be the premier technological hub of North York General Hospital. I foresee a central place where every clinician recognizes that this is a go-to destination for fostering truly innovative solutions that benefit both our patients and staff.

Moreover, I hope that this lab becomes an offshoot for spin-off initiatives that would extend our technological reach beyond the confines of the hospital and get revolutionary new tools into the hands of patients and clinicians. Ultimately, my goal with all our endeavours is to fundamentally alter health outcomes, enhancing them for both patients and the hospital by leveraging the insights gained towards preventative measures.

We are proud to be redefining care pathways, optimizing investment in healthcare and improving patient outcomes. With TD’s help I’m excited to say that we are doing all three.”

Would you like to support patients and their families at North York General? Donate today to help fund our most urgent needs including upgraded equipment, enhanced care spaces and innovation across NYGH:

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