Dr. Jennifer Tsang, Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute, shares research updates with Niagara Health Patient Partners at a recent engagement event.
The Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI) recently hosted an event bringing together members of the Niagara Health Engagement Network (NHEN) and hospital researchers to share research initiatives and discuss how patients and families can play a greater role in shaping the future of health research in the region.
The session highlighted how research is growing through the NHKI, with a focus on engaging patients and the community as partners in advancing care.
Putting patients and families at the centre
For Heather O’Grady, Research Scientist with the NHKI, the event was designed to spark conversation and strengthen relationships.
“As we continue to grow, our priority is to ensure that patients and families remain at the centre of everything we do,” says O’Grady.
“This session was designed as an opportunity to begin fostering those connections and to raise awareness about the health research taking place. By doing so, we aim to lay the groundwork for meaningful and accessible patient and family engagement in NHKI’s future research initiatives.”
The event featured presentations on current and completed studies and clinical trials, including CYCLE, a physiotherapy study exploring in-bed cycling for patients in the Intensive Care Unit. The study involved a systematic review and confirmed that introducing physical activity earlier in recovery can help patients leave the ICU and hospital sooner, while improving long-term function.
These types of initiatives illustrate the power of research to improve patient outcomes and demonstrate how community hospitals like Niagara Health can contribute to national and international advancements in care, O’Grady explains
Building research in community hospitals
Community involvement is key to NHKI’s vision for research, says Elaina Orlando, Director, Research Operations.
“As we continue our efforts to build research capacity in Canadian community hospitals, including Niagara Health, our local community has an important role to play in this transformation,” says Orlando.
“It was truly a privilege to spend the evening with members of the NHEN, highlighting some of our work and getting their feedback on how we engage with the broader Niagara community around research.”
That feedback will inform future initiatives, including the launch of NHKI’s first Patient and Family Engagement Committee, envisioned as an integral voice in shaping research priorities and processes.
“We are planning future engagement sessions across the Niagara community,” says O’Grady. “The insights from this NHEN session will help guide our approach to that broader outreach.”
Patient voices making an impact
For Patient Partner Manisha Solomon, the event was an eye-opener about Niagara Health’s growing role in research.
“It’s reassuring to see that Niagara Health is being active in moving forward, embracing knowledge, and contributing new ideas to advance health in Niagara,” says Solomon.
Having previously participated in studies at McMaster University and the University of Calgary, Solomon says being a Patient Partner is her way of giving back.
“I’m grateful to live in Canada and have access to the healthcare I need,” she says. “Joining the Patient Partner program is one way I’ve been able to give back. Through this event, I discovered another — contributing to research in Niagara that has the potential to improve care for others.”
For fellow Patient Partner Mofe Adenuga, a recent Brock University graduate in Medical Sciences, the event reinforced her passion for pursuing a career in research.
“Today went really well. What stood out to me was learning that Niagara Health’s research work has been underway for many years and even before NHKI officially launched,” says Adenuga.
“Research is very much important. As a Patient Partner, I want to be a voice for people like me and help find new ways to improve care.”
Adenuga, who has personal experience with anemia, says the opportunity to participate in research connected to her own health experiences is especially meaningful. “I’m not just working for myself, but also for people just like me.”
Looking ahead
The event marks the beginning of a new chapter in research at Niagara Health. By engaging Patient Partners early and often, NHKI aims to ensure research is rooted in the real needs and experiences of patients and families.
“Building strong relationships with patients and families is an essential part of our work,” says O’Grady.
“This is just the start of an ongoing conversation about how research at Niagara Health can grow in partnership with our community.”
