Fuel the research that turns bold ideas into better revoveries
Voices from Manitoba’s Innovation Ecosystem
Dr. Eric Bohm, Orthopaedic surgeon, Concordia Arthroplasty Research; Professor of Surgery, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba; Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry
On the importance of data-driven health care:
“I believe in a properly functioning, publicly funded health-care system. We’re really struggling with that in Canada right now. You can’t manage a system unless you know what’s happening.”
On expanding surgical capacity:
“With our current government, we were able to open the program up in Selkirk, doing another 800 joints a year, and that was largely because of the quality of the data that we had.”
On patient impact:
“Our patients are an average age of 67 and they come to you miserable. They can’t walk. They can’t play with their grandkids. They can’t travel. You do an operation—it takes 40 minutes—and they’re forever grateful.”
Trevor Gascoyne, CEO, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre
“We’re a team of 17 people in total—a small nonprofit group with a very modest marketing budget. Yet somehow, we’ve built a worldwide reach, which is really exciting to be part of.”
On the connection between engineering and medicine:
“Hip and knee replacement is one of the best examples of engineering and medicine working together. Everything—from the materials to the implant design and durability—has been highly engineered. I love being part of improving and optimizing that innovation.”
Dr. Christiaan Righolt, Director of Clinical Research, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre; Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba
“I like the direct impact you can have here—being co-located in the clinic, working directly with surgeons, and helping improve patient care.”
Colton Poitras, Data Analyst, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre
“I’ve worked in places where there’s a ‘good enough’ mentality. I appreciate that we hold ourselves to a higher standard here. It’s a place where people genuinely care about doing excellent work.”
Jessie Robertson, Biomedical Engineer, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre
“What brought me here was the unique combination of engineering and clinical exposure. It feels like you’re making a direct impact.”
“Helping other people is important. It makes you work harder when you know your work has purpose and meaning.”