Latest news with #TheRoyal
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Major Investment to Transform Mental Health Research Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Brain Canada is proud to announce its support for the development of the Brain Imaging Centre Advanced Multi-modal neuroimaging Platform for Psychiatry (BIC-AMPP) at The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group's BIC. Through its 2024 Platform Support Grants (PSG) program, Brain Canada is partnering with The Royal to invest $1.9 million in this groundbreaking initiative, which will integrate multiple brain imaging modalities to revolutionize mental health research. Led by Dr. Georg Northoff of the University of Ottawa's Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), the BIC-AMPP project brings together experts in MRI, PET, and EEG imaging to unlock the complex biochemical, structural, and functional changes associated with mental illness. This rare and technically advanced platform will allow researchers to simultaneously capture a more thorough and integrated picture of the brain, laying the groundwork for improved diagnostics and personalized treatments. "This investment represents a step-change in the capabilities of our team and our infrastructure, positioning Canada at the forefront of brain imaging research for mental health," said Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, President and CEO of the IMHR and vice-president of research at The Royal. "Simultaneous tri-modal imaging is only being actively pursued in two other centres in the world, yet offers endless possibilities with the right technology and skills." "This platform will enable us to link brain structure, chemistry, and function in real time," said Katie Dinelle, Administrative Director of The Royal's Clinical Brain Research Centre. "It will give us a more complete picture of mental illness and open new doors for discovery." "Mental health research has long been limited by our inability to fully understand how the brain's structure, chemistry, and function interact," said Dr. Georg Northoff, lead Principal Investigator for the BIC-AMPP. "By integrating multiple imaging modalities in a single platform, we can finally start to connect the dots. This will help us move beyond fragmented insights toward a more holistic understanding of mental illness—one that can inform better, more personalized treatments." The BIC-AMPP platform is designed to foster collaboration among scientists and provide unprecedented access to simultaneous multi-modal imaging, positioning The Royal as a hub for innovation and knowledge mobilization. Supported by expert scientific staff and a secure, open-access data-sharing infrastructure, the platform will accelerate discoveries that improve mental health care in Canada and beyond. Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "The BIC-AMPP represents a major leap forward in our ability to understand mental illness and develop personalized treatments. Brain Canada is proud to support this visionary platform, which underlines Canada's position as a global leader in brain imaging research." Brain Canada is contributing over $18 million in this year's PSG program through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), funded by Health Canada, as well as matching donations from sponsors for a total investment of $36.8 million. By enabling access to cutting-edge tools and specialized skills beyond the reach of individual researchers, the PSG program plays a vital role in strengthening the research landscape. "Research and innovation deepen our understanding, unlock new treatments, and improve quality of life for people affected by mental illness," said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health. "Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, the Government of Canada is pleased to support this initiative, bringing together experts from different fields to accelerate discoveries that will improve mental health care for Canadians." Over the coming weeks, Brain Canada will unveil the full list of 14 research platforms selected to receive PSG funding. The total investment of $36.8 million represents a major step forward in Canada's ability to support cutting-edge brain research and improve outcomes for people living with brain-disorders. For more information, please visit The Royal is one of Canada's foremost mental health care, teaching, and research hospitals and is home to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Brockville Mental Health Centre, the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health and the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. Our mission is to transform the lives of people living with complex mental illness and addictions. Learn more about The Royal, our services, and our impact.
American Press
5 days ago
- General
- American Press
Passion project: Local man on mission to save historic First Baptist Church
1/11 Swipe or click to see more Ripped-up carpets and floorboards can be seen inside the sanctuary of the former First Baptist Church of Lake Charles building. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 2/11 Swipe or click to see more David Shamieh believes the sanctuary's organ is the second-largest one ever built in the United States. On either side of the church's altar are where the pipes are located behind wood paneling. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 3/11 Swipe or click to see more The church pipe organ still works, said David Shamieh. 'The humidity in the building, though, is not good for the pipes.' (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 4/11 Swipe or click to see more A stained glass skylight that hangs over the center of the sanctuary is mostly intact, though some of the smaller pieces have cracks. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 5/11 Swipe or click to see more Inside the sanctuary, plaster finish is damaged and flaking off the walls, stained glass-wrapped columns have been broken. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 6/11 Swipe or click to see more Wooden pews are splitting because of the humidity and moisture making its way in through the still-plywood-covered windows. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 7/11 Swipe or click to see more The church's cornerstone remains visible to visitors. The church was organized on Jan. 25, 1880, and the cornerstone for their building was dedicated Feb. 12, 1908, according to American Press archives. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 8/11 Swipe or click to see more David Shamieh said construction workers found this painting — signed 'Pray with faith' Kent 1971 — in a room that had been previously used as a storage closet. He said shelving lined with paint cans blocked the mural from view. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 9/11 Swipe or click to see more Marble flooring tiles now line what was the life center. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 10/11 Swipe or click to see more Marble flooring tiles now line what was the life center. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 11/11 Swipe or click to see more The former life center and gymnasium have been converted into a rental event center called The Royal. Identical wooden flooring that matched what was the basketball court was brought in to repair damaged slats and the floor was sanded and restained. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) It's been 1,752 days since Hurricane Laura struck the former First Baptist Church in the historic district of downtown Lake Charles. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage to the church's sanctuary, stained glass entryway and skylight, air conditioning system, roof, educational building, life center and fellowship hall. But what, for many, would be a project too overwhelming to take on, David Shamieh has been undeterred. In negotiations to purchase the already vacant 100,000 square-foot structure before the hurricane hit, Shamieh stuck with his original goal of bringing new life to what he considers 'holy and sacred' ground. 'I love old buildings and I cannot see something like this torn down,' he said. 'I have the philosophy in life if you don't have a history, you don't have a present, you're not going to have a future. This building — doesn't matter how much money you have — you would never be able to build this same building again. The structure is amazing.' The church has 'good bones,' he said. There is no insurance on the building — as no insurance company has been willing to provide coverage for the property after a tornado hit the area in 2024. All of the repairs since have been paid out of pocket by Shamieh. The owner of One Source Digital Technologies, Shamieh has devoted much of his free time to restoring and maintaining the building, pouring his heart into every detail of its structure. 'If I can, I want to bring it back to the original design, identical,' Shamieh said. 'I could pay $50,000 and put in a big glass out front with a little bit of design where the stained glass was but that's not what I want. This church is too important to thousands of people in Lake Charles.' Shamieh said his goal is to restore the church and then pass it on to another church body who will make their own memories inside it. Two churches are interested, he said, but only if the construction is complete. 'I want to do something good for this community,' he said. He also wants to see the church listed on the National Historic Registry, but is asking for the public's help in finding the church's original blueprints. 'We're struggling to find any of the records and exact measurements,' he said. While progress to the sanctuary is on hold as that information is being gathered, work is complete on what was the church's life center and gymnasium. Those areas are detached from the sanctuary building. Now both spaces serve as part of The Royal event center, which has already hosted several weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, graduation celebrations and even an Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. 'We wanted to give the community something really, really, really nice,' he said. What was the nursery is now the bridal suite and the former art room is the groom's suite. He's also planning a cigar area and cocktail lounge and is nearing the finish line in the remodel of the church's educational building and adjacent counseling center. One section of the educational building is being used by the Calcasieu Council on Aging. Some of the former Sunday school classrooms have been converted into conference rooms available for rent. Love for Lake Charles A native of Palestine, Shamieh moved to the United States to attend McNeese State University nearly 18 years ago. Shamieh said he fell in love with Lake Charles as a student and never left. 'I fell in love with 'Southern Hospitality ,' ' he said. 'This city has given me so much and that's why I want to save this church.' Shamieh said the church had been listed for sale for two years before Hurricane Laura struck. Portions of it were already in disrepair. Hurricane Laura caused more. The storm's winds — recorded at 150 mph at landfall — tore apart the intricate stone and stained glass design over the doors at the Pujo Street main entrance. It also ripped off a piece of the iconic stone statue of an open Bible that had been in front of the stained glass. 'The attention to details in this building is magnificent,' he said. 'I've never seen anything like it. It's unbelievable.' The stone design that was mixed with the stained glass outside carried over to the inside. The pattern can be found in the staircase rail to the church balcony, on the ends of each pew, and wrapped around the columns that provide muted light during services. 'We used the same pattern of the crown in The Royal sign,' he said. Though plywood is in place where the stained glass was, humidity still finds its way inside and has caused some of the arm rails in the wooden pews to split. Shamieh believes the sanctuary's organ is the second-largest one ever built in the United States. On either side of the church's altar are where the pipes are located. 'It needs to be tuned, but it still works,' Shamieh said. 'The humidity in the b uilding, though, is not good for the pipes.' There's much to do in the sanctuary, but Shamieh has pushed the pause button. 'I don't want to work on the sanctuary until it is listed on the historic registry,' he said. 'It's important to make these restorations according to their standards. This is not just a building to me.' And it's not the first historic building he's restored. In Palestine, he restored an 18th century three-story stone home. The first two floors are living space and the bottom floor was where animals were kept. 'It's a very significant place. In the Bible, when Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem they rested under the fig tree near spring water before going back to Nazareth. This is the place.' Though he travels to see family in Palestine when he can, Shamieh said his home is Lake Charles. 'I'm lucky. I have two mothers — the born mother country and the adopted mother country,' he said. 'This is my home. My parents are here and that's a blessing.'
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sharp counter meals, maverick art: how this corner pub was given The Royal treatment
Built in 1882, this inner-city landmark offers insights into (West) Aussie pub culture circa 2025 and beyond. Previous SlideNext Slide 14/20How we score To anyone who clicked straight through to this week's review after reading the headline above and decoding my not-so-cryptic clue, congratulations. As a prize, you get to go home five minutes early. Hopefully, that's enough of a head start to get to The Royal Hotel – the CBD one, not the East Perth one – in time to take advantage of the happy hour beer special being offered daily between 4pm and 5pm. But if the thought of pints for a tenner triggered some sort of Pavlovian response to shake the person next to you or bombard WhatsApp group chats in excitement, don't feel bad. At a time where risings costs are shaping more of our choices, excitement about low-cost lager is understandable. Especially when said blanket pricing applies to all six of the beers on tap, from the workhorse Swanny D and guest craft beers to Guinness. If The Royal isn't home to Perth's cheapest (happy hour) pint of the black stuff, it'd have to be one of the title's more serious contenders: at least as far as grand, lovingly restored CBD hotels go, anyway. Despite The Royal's distinguished history, I knew it largely as a rickety shell on Wellington Street that's housed a barber, backpackers and squatters. Then in mid-2018, John Parker of The Parker Group (The Standard, Busselton Pavilion) took it over and spent 18 months and $13 million dollars helping the 140-year-old building rediscover its Gold Rush-era swagger. Specialist leadlight glass repairers were called in. Subversive art was bought and hung. The first-floor balcony overlooking Yagan Square and William Street was carefully restored and now seats 200 of the 725 guests that this two-storey pub can accommodate. For anyone who gets energised by noise, chaos and a crowd, this is the landmark for you. This scale and scope also influence the pub's cooking. While the ground floor is home to the calorific Detroit-style pizza of Willi's Pizza Bar and suave new-age bistro Fleur, the main bar upstairs keeps things familiar via a roll call of pub hits that everyone knows the words to, supplemented by some modern Australian cornerstones. Beer-battered snapper is meaty of flesh and crunchy of armour, the accompanying tartare sauce providing cut-through. On Wednesdays – the pub rotates through daily food specials – $30 gets you juicy scotch fillet accessorised with garlic butter, salad and chips that are pale of hue, chunky of cut and closer in DNA to British chippies than crisp American-style fries. In a cute twist, the house burger has been dubbed The Royale. (Enter stage right, Pulp Fiction references.) It's been years since I've eaten a Quarter Pounder, but I'm certain that the clown's burgers weren't succulent smash patty-style joys like this. Just as finding skin-contact vermentino on the wine list is a welcome surprise, so too is discovering that jazzing up ceviche with chilli flakes and a glossy avocado mousse can help offset kingfish fatigue. Hot chicken wings are prepared Korean-style and golden-fried, then doused in a chilli sauce with fermented bite. Twists of casarecce pasta in a comforting sugo alla vodka are a nod to American red sauce deliciousness. It's not all smooth sailing, however. The golden, thinly pounded pork schnitzel tastes wanting as is, but finds it voice when slicked with the dense brown butter and caper gravy it's served with. Impotent chilli squid yearns for crunch. Sticks of broccolini in an otherwise fine Arabic hummus and zaatar arrangement weren't grilled as promised, but blanched, limp and unloved. As is often the case with big operations, consistency can be an issue, not just with cooking, but also with front-of-house. Large spaces need large floor teams: the crew here ranges from disinterested bartenders to engaged, earpiece-equipped hosts eager to help. And just like other high-volume venues, The Royal lets you order and pay via QR codes with varying degrees of success. (Pro: not having to leave the table or conversation to get more pinot! Con: entrees and mains all arriving at once!) It's still early days for the technology, but I can't help but wonder what effect reducing human interactions will have on service standards. But enough of the future, let's focus on the now. And the fact that The Royal is a very likeable ode to pub culture and proof of the power of self-belief. It's a beautiful space to be in, and its price point is accessible to many, especially if you time your visit right and order smartly. A primetime address near a major intersection and train station makes it ideal for after-work drinks, dates, work lunches and, vitally, people-watching and people-meeting. Public houses don't work without a public. And over the last three months, I've met members of the public here that have challenged me, surprised me and even taught me. The bubbly Canadian from the same province as my late aunt. The wiry, serious-looking bloke who, unprompted, put out his ciggy and apologised for lighting up upwind from our table because he didn't see us. The lady with pink-tinted hair in a wheelchair who snuck onto the balcony for a quick suck on her vape. We swapped small talk about The Royal's accessibility (good) before she wheeled herself back inside. 'It's not bad for an old hotel,' she smiled. I smiled back in agreeance.
The Age
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Sharp counter meals, maverick art: how this corner pub was given The Royal treatment
Built in 1882, this inner-city landmark offers insights into (West) Aussie pub culture circa 2025 and beyond. Previous SlideNext Slide 14/20How we score To anyone who clicked straight through to this week's review after reading the headline above and decoding my not-so-cryptic clue, congratulations. As a prize, you get to go home five minutes early. Hopefully, that's enough of a head start to get to The Royal Hotel – the CBD one, not the East Perth one – in time to take advantage of the happy hour beer special being offered daily between 4pm and 5pm. But if the thought of pints for a tenner triggered some sort of Pavlovian response to shake the person next to you or bombard WhatsApp group chats in excitement, don't feel bad. At a time where risings costs are shaping more of our choices, excitement about low-cost lager is understandable. Especially when said blanket pricing applies to all six of the beers on tap, from the workhorse Swanny D and guest craft beers to Guinness. If The Royal isn't home to Perth's cheapest (happy hour) pint of the black stuff, it'd have to be one of the title's more serious contenders: at least as far as grand, lovingly restored CBD hotels go, anyway. Despite The Royal's distinguished history, I knew it largely as a rickety shell on Wellington Street that's housed a barber, backpackers and squatters. Then in mid-2018, John Parker of The Parker Group (The Standard, Busselton Pavilion) took it over and spent 18 months and $13 million dollars helping the 140-year-old building rediscover its Gold Rush-era swagger. Specialist leadlight glass repairers were called in. Subversive art was bought and hung. The first-floor balcony overlooking Yagan Square and William Street was carefully restored and now seats 200 of the 725 guests that this two-storey pub can accommodate. For anyone who gets energised by noise, chaos and a crowd, this is the landmark for you. This scale and scope also influence the pub's cooking. While the ground floor is home to the calorific Detroit-style pizza of Willi's Pizza Bar and suave new-age bistro Fleur, the main bar upstairs keeps things familiar via a roll call of pub hits that everyone knows the words to, supplemented by some modern Australian cornerstones. Beer-battered snapper is meaty of flesh and crunchy of armour, the accompanying tartare sauce providing cut-through. On Wednesdays – the pub rotates through daily food specials – $30 gets you juicy scotch fillet accessorised with garlic butter, salad and chips that are pale of hue, chunky of cut and closer in DNA to British chippies than crisp American-style fries. In a cute twist, the house burger has been dubbed The Royale. (Enter stage right, Pulp Fiction references.) It's been years since I've eaten a Quarter Pounder, but I'm certain that the clown's burgers weren't succulent smash patty-style joys like this. Just as finding skin-contact vermentino on the wine list is a welcome surprise, so too is discovering that jazzing up ceviche with chilli flakes and a glossy avocado mousse can help offset kingfish fatigue. Hot chicken wings are prepared Korean-style and golden-fried, then doused in a chilli sauce with fermented bite. Twists of casarecce pasta in a comforting sugo alla vodka are a nod to American red sauce deliciousness. It's not all smooth sailing, however. The golden, thinly pounded pork schnitzel tastes wanting as is, but finds it voice when slicked with the dense brown butter and caper gravy it's served with. Impotent chilli squid yearns for crunch. Sticks of broccolini in an otherwise fine Arabic hummus and zaatar arrangement weren't grilled as promised, but blanched, limp and unloved. As is often the case with big operations, consistency can be an issue, not just with cooking, but also with front-of-house. Large spaces need large floor teams: the crew here ranges from disinterested bartenders to engaged, earpiece-equipped hosts eager to help. And just like other high-volume venues, The Royal lets you order and pay via QR codes with varying degrees of success. (Pro: not having to leave the table or conversation to get more pinot! Con: entrees and mains all arriving at once!) It's still early days for the technology, but I can't help but wonder what effect reducing human interactions will have on service standards. But enough of the future, let's focus on the now. And the fact that The Royal is a very likeable ode to pub culture and proof of the power of self-belief. It's a beautiful space to be in, and its price point is accessible to many, especially if you time your visit right and order smartly. A primetime address near a major intersection and train station makes it ideal for after-work drinks, dates, work lunches and, vitally, people-watching and people-meeting. Public houses don't work without a public. And over the last three months, I've met members of the public here that have challenged me, surprised me and even taught me. The bubbly Canadian from the same province as my late aunt. The wiry, serious-looking bloke who, unprompted, put out his ciggy and apologised for lighting up upwind from our table because he didn't see us. The lady with pink-tinted hair in a wheelchair who snuck onto the balcony for a quick suck on her vape. We swapped small talk about The Royal's accessibility (good) before she wheeled herself back inside. 'It's not bad for an old hotel,' she smiled. I smiled back in agreeance.
Powys County Times
07-06-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Welshpool Rotaract train up more community lifesavers
Thirteen more people have been trained in basic lifesaving skills in Welshpool. The initiative, run by Welshpool Rotaract, aims to equip as many people as possible with the ability to perform effective CPR and use public access defibrillators. The recent training session, held at The Royal Oak Hotel, was attended by 13 people who were taught how to react in the event of a cardiac arrest. The training was conducted by Welsh Ambulance Community Responder Effie Cadwallader and included practical exercises using dummies and training defibrillators. The session aimed to instil confidence in attendees, enabling them to sustain life until paramedics arrive. The community project is focused on training people in various locations across Welshpool, including villages, church halls, pubs, and schools. The goal is to empower people to become 'life savers' within their communities. The trained individuals now have the skills and confidence to use defibrillators placed around the community in accessible boxes on walls and in repurposed telephone kiosks. Rotaract expressed gratitude to The Royal Oak Hotel management for providing the Powis Suite for the session. Welshpool Rotaract is now inviting more people to participate in their free training sessions. Those interested can contact Mike Lade via phone 07803 038858, email welshpoolrotaract@ or through their website The new Rotaract club is also welcoming anyone interested in learning more about their activities to join their meetings. These are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at The Old Bakehouse.
