Trent University and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), two of Peterborough’s leading institutions, are working together to advance healthcare in the Peterborough region and beyond with a new agreement outlining plans to enhance interdisciplinary research activity, leadership training, applied learning and career opportunities, and student volunteer opportunities.

“This agreement strengthens Trent University’s collaboration with PRHC, creating new opportunities to engage in research, share expertise, and drive meaningful impact in healthcare,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.

“The collaboration is about more than formalizing our work together—it’s about opening doors to new longer-term projects, securing critical funding, expanding hands-on learning for students, and scaling innovations that will help shape the future of healthcare in our region and beyond.”

“At Peterborough Regional Health Centre, we’ve made a strategic commitment to building our teaching and research focus, and our long-standing partnership with Trent University is key to moving this work forward,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO of PRHC. “By cultivating our research and innovation partnerships, PRHC will strengthen the patient care and support we offer at our regional hospital for years and decades to come, and offer expanded and enhanced educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare and related fields.”

Outlined in a new memorandum of understanding (MOU), Trent and PRHC will work together on a variety of initiatives that highlight the strengths of the two institutions, including research, leadership development, and experiential learning for postsecondary students. Key areas of collaboration include:

• Research collaborations to tackle pressing health issues – including diabetes and seniors’ care – and expand eligible funding sources for both Trent and PRHC
• Development of data infrastructure and data governance to support seamless and secure knowledge exchanges between healthcare professionals and academic researchers
• Undergraduate and volunteer experience in the hospital for Trent students
• Development of micro-credentials on healthcare leadership
• Adjunct teaching opportunities PRHC staff to serve as adjunct instructors and clinical mentors at Trent
• Sustainability and energy initiatives that help both institutions progress toward reduced environmental footprints

The new agreement builds on a long history of collaboration between Trent University and PRHC, including co-ops and internships for Trent students at the health centre and community-based research projects.

“This is just the beginning of this new avenue of collaboration, and we look forward to sharing more stories and outcomes from the work we do together in the coming months and years with the Peterborough community,” said Julie Davis, vice president, External Relations & Development.

"When strong partners such as PRHC and Trent University work together, supported by their community donors, so much more becomes possible. This is an exciting new example of collaboration and collective efforts fuelling innovation and progress that will help us reimagine what healthcare looks like in our region and create a healthier, stronger community for all,” said Lesley Heighway, president, PRHC Foundation.