CITY OF SURREY – INNOVATION BOULEVARD
PROFILES of EXCELLENCE
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urrey is fast on its way to becoming a superior hub of health technology excellence . What was a concept little more than a year ago has quickly grown to become Innovation Boulevard , a onesquare-mile centre of healthcare technology anchored by Surrey Memorial Hospital and SFU Surrey , designed to accelerate realworld patient solutions .
At the core of this unprecedented project are Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and SFU ’ s Dr . Ryan D ’ Arcy .
“ Health care technology is an industry that is developing at an unprecedented rate , and Surrey is in a unique position technologically and geographically to tap into this growth ,” says Mayor Watts . “ The benefits to Innovation Boulevard will be significant ; it will foster an environment for job creation and investment in Surrey , while improving health care outcomes for patients both in Surrey and around the world .”
Innovation Boulevard takes existing healthcare assets in Surrey and integrates them into a focused cluster towards advanced health care and economic development . Surrey Memorial Hospital , universities and businesses are working seamlessly together to ensure technology advances touch lives .
Dr . D ’ Arcy noted the cluster aspect is what makes the concept so powerful . “ It ’ s the proximity to integrated resources that will move innovation forward quickly ,” he says . “ Technology is one of the fastest ways to affect change in health care .”
Innovation Boulevard ’ s three focus areas are : medical technologies such as portable brain scanners ; independent living technologies such as home monitoring ; and digital health technologies such as electronic records management . Technology development and adoption is accelerated by providing access for companies and researchers directly to clinicians and the clinical environment to identify needs , refine prototypes and test integration into the health system .
The unique model of the project has attracted leaders from BC ’ s public and private organizations : Simon Fraser University , University of British Columbia , Kwantlen Polytechnic University , British Columbia Institute of Technology , Surrey Memorial Hospital , the Provincial Government , Fraser Health Authority , industry associations , developers and health technology based companies have all come together in partnership .
“ Surrey has the advantage of being the geographic epicenter , which provides easy access from all points of the Lower Mainland ,” says Mayor Watts . “ Add to this a growing pool of highly-educated people interested in healthcare , some of the lowest tax rates in the region , and the highest volume regional hospital in the province and it is clear why Surrey is the ideal location for Innovation Boulevard .”
Training , research and extending existing health care practices will all be incorporated into the various aspects of Innovation Boulevard . “ We are bringing the talent , the technology and the facilities together to create growth and prosperity in this field ,” Dr . D ’ Arcy noted . “ By focusing on health technology advances , we are establishing Surrey as a leader in the industry while helping to improve patient care .”
“ It ’ s the proximity to integrated resources that will move innovation forward quickly . Technology is one of the fastest ways to affect change in health care .”
– Dr . Ryan D ’ Arcy
SURREY CITY HALL 13450 – 104TH AVENUE SURREY , BC TEL 604-591-4011 WEB SURREY . CA / INNOVATIONBOULEVARD photo : Surrey is creating a health technology cluster known as Innovation Boulevard with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts [ left ] and Dr . Ryan D ’ Arcy [ inset ] at the helm .
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