The M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences
Advancing Innovation in Urologic Health
The M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences has officially launched within the Vancouver Coastal Health
Research Institute, marking a significant advancement in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of urologic diseases.
INTRODUCTION
The institute will bear the name of Mr. Mohammad H. Mohseni in recognitionof his transformational $20 million gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’slandmark Urologic Sciences campaign, which saw hundreds of donorscome together to raise $65 million in less than two years. Building on the global reputation of the Vancouver Prostate Centre, the campaign will seethe creation of many new research centres that bring the same world-leading care to other areas of urologic disease.
Urologic diseases, which affect the urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, prostateand reproductive organs, impact a majority of British Columbians over thecourse of their lives. In Canada, the health care costs of urologic diseasesexceed $20 billion annually. Prostate cancer alone accounts for nearly $900million of these costs, highlighting the urgent need for innovation andadvancement.
Home to six specialized centres
As part of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, the M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences is committed to attracting toptalent, fostering a highly collaborative and technologically advancedenvironment. It will be home to six specialized centres, eachdedicated to advancing research and clinical care in its specific area of focus:
Vancouver Prostate Centre
Centre for Kidney Stones and Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre for Functional Urology and Reconstructive Surgery Centre for Kidney Transplantation and Immunology Reproductive and Sexual Medicine Centre
Centre for Adolescent and Transitional Urology
Meet the team
Multidisciplinary research underway at the Institute delivers scientific breakthroughs to patients in British Columbia and beyond. The Institute spans six specialized research centres:the Vancouver Prostate Centre, Centre for Kidney Stonesand Minimally Invasive Surgery, Centre for FunctionalUrology and Reconstructive Surgery, Centre for KidneyTransplantation and Immunology, Reproductive and SexualMedicine Centre and Centre for Adolescent and TransitionalUrology.
As an established centre within VCHRI, the VancouverProstate Centre (VPC) continues to lead in the discovery,development and translation of cancer therapeutics. In July2024, VCHRI researcher Dr. Peter Black was appointed thenew director of the VPC with a vision to strategically grow andexpand the Centre’s research on prostate, bladder and kidneycancers, respectively.
DR. PETER BLACK
Director
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“All of us at the VPC look forward to working with researchers at the Institute’sother centres, with the hopes of contributing to their growth,” says Black. “The launch ofthe Institute represents a huge opportunityto leverage the infrastructure, people andpositive track record of discovery science inthe VPC to bolster other research areas related to urologic science.”
The specialized centres
At the Centre for Kidney Stones and Minimally Invasive Surgery,innovative research is focusing on the design of new medical devicesto improve treatment and prevent complications associated with kidneystone disease. Advanced techniques are being investigated to supportthe development of novel intestinal microbiome-based treatments andpreventative strategies. To help enhance patient care for thosesuffering from kidney stones, artificial intelligence is paired with CTscan images to identify kidney stone composition. Advancements inmachine learning are being explored as approaches to lessen theinvasiveness and morbidity of surgical procedures to remove stonesand urinary blockages, such as those due to benign prostate growthand kidney stones.
Bringing together experts in urology, urogynecology, neuroscience, nursingand physical therapy, the Centre for Functional Urology and Reconstructive Surgery delivers comprehensive bladder disease care.
Centre specializations include research into urinary incontinence inwomen and men, female pelvic floor disorders and neurogenic bladderissues resulting from spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerativeillnesses.
Collaboration efforts are also underway at the Centre to establish a multidisciplinary clinic with nurse experts in female urology, urogynecology,physiotherapy and continence.
Collaboration between clinical investigators and immunology and transplantation scientists at the Centre for Kidney Transplantation and Immunology is advancing precision treatments to expand organ donationoptions, improve organ preservation and prolong transplant longevity.
Knowledge gained through this research is making strides towards improved health and quality of life outcomes among renal transplant patients. It is also facilitating the elimination of end-stage renal disease through revolutionary methods and discoveries.
Guided by generations of giving
Mr. Mohammad H. Mohseni is a first-generation Canadian who immigrated to Canada in 1981.
An engineer by education and an entrepreneur by profession, Mr. Mohseni created and grew a family-owned business, ECS Electrical Cable Supply,into a global company headquartered in Richmond. ECS has been namedone of “Canada’s Best Managed Companies” for 13 consecutive years,achieving Platinum Designation in Deloitte’s leading business awardsprogram. Inspired by the values and philanthropic traditions of his fatherand great-grandfather, Mr. Mohseni established the Mohammad H. Mohseni Charitable Foundation to further enhance the wellbeing of the Iranian andCanadian communities with a focus on innovative advancements in health and education.
He has been a consistent supporter of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation formore than a decade, contributing to areas such as men’s health andglaucoma research and committing more than $21.7 million to date.
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​“I am deeply honoured to support VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in the creation of the M. H. Mohseni Institute of Urologic Sciences,” Mr. Mohseni said. “The opportunity to contribute to health care innovation in BC and helpimprove the lives of all those affected by urologic diseases is truly aprivilege. My gratitude goes out to all the incredible clinicians, researchers,and health care specialists who will be leading this lifesaving work. It is myhope that the advancements made here will lead to meaningful, lastingchange, not just for patients in BC and our communities, but for peoplearound the world.”