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Revolutionizing the rehabilitation of stroke patients with the help of Laurentian graduates

Revolutionizing the rehabilitation of stroke patients with the help of Laurentian graduates

Local company, IRegained, making a positive impact on the health of the community.

(August 23, 2022) - When Vineet Benjamin K. Johnson founded IRegained in 2016, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the rehabilitation of stroke patients, Johnson knew he needed to hire a team of professionals trained in a variety of disciplines including engineering, computational sciences and kinesiology. Global statistics inform that 70% of stroke patients require hand rehabilitation. That’s where IRegained and the invention of the MyHand™ system comes in. It’s also where Laurentian graduates come in, as approximately 60% of staff at IRegained are Laurentian University alumni.

The MyHand™ system is a scientifically proven, smart, digital rehabilitation system that rewires the brain through the power of neuroplasticity. According to Johnson, this system has contributed to incredible results in the recovery of stroke patients and the use of their hands, enhancing their quality of life.

Rakshit Sorathiya, Master’s of Computational Science graduate and Computer Programmer at IRegained helped develop the technology behind the MyHand™ system: “Through proper guidance from IRegained mentors and professors at Laurentian University, it was a great experience to come up with the new technology. Working on IOP devices, like the microcontrollers, was a totally new experience for me.”

Britney Lamarche, Master’s of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering graduate and Mechanical Engineering Research and Development Lead at IRegained added: “I feel like the role I have at IRegained isn’t like very many other engineering jobs you might get. Because we are such a small company, we actually dip our toes into a bit of everything. So although I am in an engineering position, I am not only doing design work on the computer, I'm also assembling the device [MyHand™ system], seeing patients using it, troubleshooting it, redesigning it.”

Eric Dumais, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology graduate and Clinical Research Lead at IRegained also spoke positively about his work: “My position is rewarding in a couple of different ways….We have a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. Many of the [stroke] patients we have served had almost no hope when we met them….When you can consistently deliver high quality care with the help of world-leading technology, it just feels awesome.”

Looking into the future, IRegained founder, CEO and President, Johnson, observes: “There is lots that can be done.” IRegained hopes to launch The MyHand™ system as telemedicine within the next few years so that patients can connect remotely with a therapist while using the device from home. Due to the wide impact strokes can have on the body, IRegained is also keen on expanding from the hand to other body parts that may benefit from rehabilitation post stroke.

For Johnson, “it is very important to hire local.” That’s why employing graduates from Laurentian University makes sense. He speaks fondly about his team, and describes being proud of the impact they are making on the lives of so many. And this is just the beginning for IRegained. With the help of Laurentian graduates, IRegained is sure to continue to make positive contributions in stroke rehabilitation for years to come.

To learn more about IRegained, visit their website or follow them on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

You can also listen to a recent interview that IRegained founder, CEO and President, Johnson Vineet Benjamin K. Johnson, supported, via this link. 

Laurentian University Congratulates Lucie Moncion on Appointment as Senator

Laurentian University Congratulates Lucie Moncion on Appointment as Senator

Laurentian Alumna to serve as independent senator representing Ontario

Laurentian University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dominic Giroux added his congratulations today to Lucie Moncion on her appointment as independent senator representing Ontario.

“We are proud to see Laurentian alumna Lucie Moncion appointed to Senate for her impressive career achievements,” said Dominic Giroux.  “Her extensive background and expertise make her a wonderful selection to represent Ontario and we wish her continued success.”

Lucie Moncion holds a Bachelor in Business Administration with specialization in cooperative administration from Laurentian University as well as a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Moncton University. She has obtained the Certified Company Administrator designation from Université Laval and the Chartered Director designation from McMaster University.

Lucie Moncion has held numerous positions in Ontario's Caisse Populaire network. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance des caisses populaires de l'Ontario and has held this position since May 2001, when she became the first woman to hold such a position in a credit union federation in Canada. L’Alliance is a network of 12 credit unions that serves 23 Francophone municipalities in northeastern Ontario and plays a key role in the economic development of Francophone communities. Ms. Moncion has brought important stability to the operations of L'Alliance; asset growth has almost tripled—to $1.4 billion—since she took over as CEO. Ms. Moncion became President and Chair of the Board of Cooperatives and Mutuals Canada in 2016 and also currently serves as President of the Co-operative Board of Ontario. Active within government bodies and in her community, Ms. Moncion has served on various boards of directors, including as Vice-President on the Board of Directors at Nipissing University, Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Direction Ontario, and member of the Board of Directors at Collège Boréal.

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years.  

Laurentian graduate wins “Canada’s New Noah” Scholarship

Laurentian graduate wins “Canada’s New Noah” Scholarship

Wildlife Preservation Canada award sends Biology grad student to Mauritius

Laurentian University MSc Biology graduate Patrick Moldowan has been selected from a field of scores of candidates for a prestigious scholarship that will send him to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean to work for the recovery of endangered species.

 

The “Canada’s New Noah” Scholarship is funded by Wildlife Preservation Canada.   It gives young Canadian biologists the opportunity to study, train, and conduct field research while providing several months of practical experience with teams working to save species in Mauritius and its offshore islands.  Each year, Wildlife Preservation Canada considers more than 100 applications for the coveted scholarship, from candidates who include undergraduates, master’s and PhD students, practicing wildlife biologists and veterinarians.

 

“We were impressed by Patrick’s great enthusiasm, his scholarship, and his broad range of research interests, and we are excited about the contributions he will make through the Canada’s New Noah program,” said Wildlife Preservation Canada’s Executive Director, Elaine Williams. 

 

Moldowan completed his MSc at Laurentian University in 2014 under the supervision of Dr. Jacqueline Litzgus, Professor, Department of Biology. His research interests are herpetology (reptile and amphibian biology), conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, and natural history.  

“It is an incredible honour to be named Canada’s New Noah,” said Moldowan.  “Working collaboratively with Wildlife Preservation Canada, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Mauritius Wildlife Foundation will be an exceptional opportunity for training and field research in one of the world’s greatest biodiversity and conservation hotspots.”

The full New Noah scholarship includes travel, living and training expenses for six months to enable the New Noah to participate in the Durrell Post-Graduate Diploma in Endangered Species Recovery (offered through Kent University), designed to provide the student with the field experience and species and human resource management skills necessary to run wildlife conservation projects.

 

Previous recipients of the New Noah Scholarship have helped to save three species from almost certain extinction, according to Wildlife Preservation Canada.  They include the Mauritius kestrel, a tiny falcon that was once reduced to only four individuals in the wild, and is no longer classified as endangered.

 

Wildlife Preservation Canada was formed by the internationally-renowned conservationist and author Gerald Durrell in 1985.

Laurentian University names new Chief Advancement Officer

Laurentian University names new Chief Advancement Officer

Ms. Tracy MacLeod is the new University’s Chief Advancement Officer, leading Alumni Relations and Development and reporting to the President.

JUNE 9, 2014 – Laurentian University is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tracy MacLeod as the University’s Chief Advancement Officer, leading Alumni Relations and Development and reporting to the President. 

Tracy MacLeod

A proud alumna of Laurentian University, Tracy MacLeod is a highly motivated, results-oriented Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), with 20 years of experience in advancement portfolios at three Ontario universities. 

“I am thrilled to be able to count on Tracy’s exceptional leadership as we continue to engage alumni in a meaningful way, and set even more ambitious fundraising goals in the coming years to accelerate the University’s momentum,” explained Laurentian President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. 

Since 2004, MacLeod has been serving as Director of Development and Campaign Director at Laurentian University, where she successfully led staff and volunteers to raise over $65 million through The Next 50 Campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the history of Northern Ontario. Most recently, she has been Acting Chief Advancement Officer since the incumbent Tamás (Tom) Zsolnay moved to the University of Victoria after 11 years of distinguished service leading Advancement at Laurentian University. 

“The Laurentian University Alumni Association was pleased to be involved in the recruitment process for our new Chief Advancement Officer. We are excited to have a proud Laurentian graduate leading this portfolio and look forward to working with Tracy in continuing the implementation of the Association’s 2011-2016 Strategic Plan,” added Diane Côté-Mihalek, President of the Laurentian University Alumni Association (LUAA). 

Ms. MacLeod worked in Advancement at Laurentian University from 1994 to 1997, at Queen’s University from 1997 to 1998, and at Nipissing University from 1998 to 2004, culminating in the role of Manager of Alumni Relations and Development at Nipissing University. In 2013, she completed the Senior University Administrators Course from the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development. 

“We are lucky to have Tracy fill this important role at Laurentian. Fundraising efforts are transforming the University. With the leadership of Tracy, Dominic and so many generous supporters, we will continue to achieve great momentum,” said Jamie Wallace, honorary chair of Laurentian’s record-breaking Next 50 Campaign. 

In 2011, Ms. MacLeod was one of the recipients of Sudbury’s Top 40 Under 40 Awards. She is currently serving as President of the Northeastern Ontario Fundraising Professionals Association. In 2006, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education. She served as Treasurer and Vice-

President of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education – Ontario, as director of the board of the Centre communautaire de Lavigne Community Centre and as an active member of the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers. 

“It is truly an honour for me to be appointed Chief Advancement Officer. I look forward to working with the incredible team at Laurentian to strengthen relationships with alumni and build new partnerships that will enhance opportunities for students and the communities we serve,” said MacLeod. 

The appointment of Ms. MacLeod was unanimously recommended after an extensive recruitment process by a 13-member search committee composed of past Board Chairs, members of the University’s Board of Governors and Executive Team, academic and non-academic colleagues, representatives from the LUAA and student associations, and direct reports in Advancement. 

Laurentian Architecture Welcomes Fall 2013 Charter Class

Laurentian Architecture Welcomes Fall 2013 Charter Class

70 students confirmed to begin architecture studies in September

August 6, 2013 – The Laurentian University School of Architecture is pleased to be welcoming the charter class of students for the Fall 2013 launch of Canada’s newest architecture school.

Of the applications received from across the country, Laurentian Architecture has confirmed 70 students to begin studies at the downtown Sudbury site of the new school.  Classes will start on September 4. 

 

“We have been tremendously impressed by the vitality and the diversity of the applications we’ve received,” said Laurentian Architecture’s Founding Director, Dr. Terrance Galvin.  “There is an exciting creative spark in these young people, and we know that our school is off to a very promising start.”

 

Students were selected based on their creative portfolios, personal letters of application, OSSD grades, and letters of reference. Dr. Galvin says the portfolios displayed a “high calibre of visually talented people, with diverse skills in fine arts. The portfolios were very strong, among the best that I’ve seen in my career.” 

 

The first class at Laurentian Architecture includes 40 female and 30 male students, most of whom are from northern Ontario and other regions of the province.  More than 17 per cent are francophone or fluent in French, and 7 per cent are indigenous students.  Laurentian Architecture will specialize in northern and sustainable design, with a particular focus on incorporating francophone and aboriginal culture, history and design in the curriculum.  Each year, Francophone and Indigenous students will be eligible for renewable Departmental scholarships, in addition to the financial support offered to all Laurentian University students. A donation of $100,000 from the University’s Alumni Association helps to finance these Architecture scholarships.

 

The Laurentian Architecture program includes two co-op work placements in the undergraduate program.  Members of the Fall 2013 cohort will have terms of co-operative study beginning in the summer of 2014. Students will also take part in international co-op placements by their 3rd year of study. 

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University is one of the fastest growing universities in Canada in the past decade, now serving close to 10,000 students. With its main campus in Sudbury, it now offers a growing number of programs in Barrie to the 1,200 students located on that campus. Laurentian has the highest post-graduation employment rates in Ontario after 6 months at 92% and 95% after two years. The University receives high recognition for its enviable class sizes, having one of the lowest average class sizes in Canada.

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