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University of British Columbia
The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH)
The DMCBH at the University of British Columbia unites research and clinical expertise in neuroscience, psychiatry and neurology under one roof. It is home to clinics for Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression and other brain disorders.
The Philosophy
The philosophy of the facility is to work with all facets of brain health because knowledge gained from treating and investigating one disease of the brain will advance the understanding of others.
The Exterior
A rendering of a synapse adorns the exterior of DMCBH.
Relevant Simile
The synapse is a relevant simile for the Centre since the intensity, frequency, and quality of synaptic activity is most indicative of a healthy brain. ~ Dr. Cynader
Hope for the Future
It is my hope that this facility will help lay the foundation for future discoveries in brain health and make a difference in the lives of the people of British Columbia and beyond. The brain has been referred to as the last frontier of medicine; I hope that my gift will enable doctors and researchers to reach that frontier. ~ Djavad Mowafaghian
A Special Place
The Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation Centre for Brain Health is a special place because it has created the conditions for the free-flow and interchange of people, knowledge, and ideas that have inspired some of our greatest discoveries about the brain. I am proud to count the centre among our community, which is enriched through a shared determination to better understand and support the relationships that give shape and meaning to our lives. ~ Dr. Dermot Kelleher, Dean, Faculty of Medicine
The Gift of Hope
Hope for the Future
It is my hope that this facility will help lay the foundation for future discoveries in brain health and make a difference in the lives of the people of British Columbia and beyond. The brain has been referred to as the last frontier of medicine; I hope that my gift will enable doctors and researchers to reach that frontier.
~ Djavad Mowafaghian
A Unique Facility
The DMF Centre for Brain Health, the only facility of its kind in Canada, is home to some of the world’s leading brain health researchers.
Dedicated Experts
The experts at the DMF Centre for Brain Health are dedicated to understanding how the brain works from infancy to aging, with a view to curing and treating the most debilitating brain conditions.
Exciting Discoveries
Under the leadership of Dr. Janet Werker, researchers are making exciting discoveries into how babies learn languages, including sounds, talking faces, interactions and other expressions of culture found in the home.
The Building
The DMCBH building has clinical areas on the two lower levels, research areas on the two upper levels, with offices and meeting spaces on the middle level.
Opportunities
It presents opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral students to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge through enriching research experiences in laboratories and clinical settings.
Making connections: Canada’s largest integrated brain centre opens
A Celebration
Friends and family celebrate the opening of the largest integrated brain centre in Canada.
For Patients
Located directly in front of UBC Hospital, the centre was designed by Stantec with patients in mind, including short walking distances, simplified way-finding and numerous places where patients can rest or pause.
Neurons
The octopus-like lines and the circular nuclei from which they emanate, are a representation of neurons – the brain cells that thrive on their ability to connect with other neurons. Every thought, sensation, reaction and bodily function depends on that connectedness.
The Dream
It is my hope that scientists working in this centre will be reborn every day — reborn with a new idea — so that thousands of suffering people who enter through the doors of the brain centre with brain disorders, pain, and tears in their eyes can later exit through the discharge doors with shining, smiling faces, hearts and mouths full of gratitude, and arms and legs swinging joyfully and pain free. If UBC accepts me as a volunteer, it would be my great honour to be stationed at the discharge door of the brain centre, and to give each cured patient who leaves a long-stemmed rose and hug. The day I am able to do so will be one of the best and most rewarding days of my life.
~ Djavad Mowafaghian
~ Djavad Mowafaghian
Thanks from the Co-Directors
We are grateful for the enduring support of the DMF. Thank you for fueling innovations in brain health, treatment, and novel diagnostic and assistive technologies.