StFX President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Andy Hakin, Dr. Victor Dahdaleh, Mona Dahdaleh, Hon. Frank McKenna '70, StFX Vice President Academic and Provost Dr. Amanda Cockshutt
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is pleased to unveil its largest gift by a private donor in its history and one of the largest of its kind to a university in Nova Scotia. Philanthropist and supporter of StFX, Dr. Victor Phillip Dahdaleh, through the Victor Dahdaleh Foundation, is contributing $15 million dollars to support the creation of the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Hall which will house the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health at StFX.
"This new Institute at StFX will be led by world class researchers who conduct critical work in promoting healthy populations. I'm excited that this work will have a broad impact on health in
rural areas of Nova Scotia, Canada, and beyond," said Dr. Victor Dahdaleh. "This is very important work and I'm delighted to play a lead role," added Dr. Dahdaleh. "I am a devoted
supporter of health research on both sides of the Atlantic, and I am honoured to support this Institute at StFX."
"We are tremendously grateful for Dr. Dahdaleh's vision and generosity. His donation will make the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Hall and the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in
Health a reality at StFX for the benefit of the province and beyond," said Dr. Andy Hakin StFX President and Vice-Chancellor. "With this, StFX will further advance its work in contributing to
improving the health and health outcomes of our communities, especially in rural areas. New approaches to mental and physical health and lifestyle choices across the lifespan, will foster
positive personal, family and community outcomes in the future," said Dr. Hakin.
The Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health will be recognized for impacting health education, promotion, and prevention programs responsive to rural health care
and service needs in Nova Scotian communities. The new Institute will be the headquarters of the National Collaborating Centre for the Determinants for Health, one of six national centres of
excellence funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada focused on the translation of knowledge to act on the social determinants of health.
Recently, the Province of Nova Scotia announced an investment of $37.4 million for the new Institute for Innovation in Health. The federal government also contributed to the project in
2017, providing $8 million for the Xaverian Commons project in which the Institute is a key component.
"Tonight is a night for all Nova Scotians to celebrate," said StFX Board of Governors Chair Mr. Dennis Flood. "For over three decades, Dr. Dahdaleh's philanthropic work has changed the lives
of thousands of young people being educated at some of the most prestigious universities across Canada and the United Kingdom. It speaks volumes that he has chosen to include and support
StFX and the residents of this great province in his philanthropy."
StFX has already benefited from Dr. Dahdaleh's philanthropy with his support for the Brian Mulroney Institute for Government. His generosity has provided opportunities at StFX for
underrepresented students including Indigenous Canadian and African Nova Scotian students.
The announcement of Dr. Dahdaleh's gift was made at a StFX gala event in Halifax this evening.
About Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health
The Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health will be housed in the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Hall. The Institute will be at the intersection of research and practice; academia
and public health; theory and impact. The Institute is poised to join StFX's other flagship Institutes, as a nation-leading incubator for all those working to improve the health of rural Nova
Scotians.
As a key hub within northern Nova Scotia for health research and innovation, the Institute will provide a space in which researchers, patients, community groups, and partners exchange ideas,
discover, develop, test, and commercialize new knowledge, technology, products, systems, and solutions that improve health, health care, and people's lives. The provincial government has mapped out its objectives in a recent strategic plan, and the Institute can play a significant role in the achievement of those objectives.
