Invitation to participate in the future of ICDC

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration (ICDC) Executive Committee, we are pleased to announce a refreshed vision for ICDC and invite you to join us in shaping future ICDC initiatives and chronic disease research in Alberta.

The ICDC was established in 2009 to help improve health outcomes of Albertans living with chronic diseases. Our collaboration includes researchers from many disciplines who work with patients, clinicians, and health system decision makers within an integrated knowledge mobilization framework. With our established training and mentorship program, ICDC has helped support over 100 undergraduate, graduate, and medical trainees. ICDC houses the chronic disease laboratory; a unique data repository of high-quality clinical and administrative health datasets on all Albertans who interact with the health care system, providing a rich resource to address chronic disease research questions.

Following a Research Retreat in 2023, we identified ways to update the current ICDC organization and activities to advance research objectives through strengthened connections between Alberta Health Services, the Strategic Clinical Networks, and academic-based investigators from both the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta. This update includes:

• Establishment of a new ICDC Advisory Committee
• Increasing membership of the ICDC Executive Committee to broaden expertise across all ICDC research pillars
• Promotion of open opportunities for researchers from University of Calgary and University of Alberta to engage in ICDC activities as affiliated researchers

The attached document describes the renewed ICDC vision and research activities. We also encourage you to visit our website, www.icdc.ca, to learn more about ICDC accomplishments, currently activities, future initiatives, and how you can join in this research collaborative.

If you are interested in joining or renewing your involvement in ICDC as an ICDC Executive Committee Member or ICDC Affiliate Researcher, or have additional questions, please contact us at: icdc@ucalgary.ca

Sincerely

Matthew James, MD PhD, on behalf of the ICDC Executive Committee