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For Queen’s University medical students Bianca Marcella and Prey Patel, this summer was more than a chance to advance their research skills - it was an opportunity to come home.
For four budding health researchers, a summer at Niagara Health’s Knowledge Institute (NHKI) offered more than just a glimpse into hospital research — it was a chance to tackle real-world projects that will help shape patient care in Niagara.
Led by Dr. Jennifer Tsang, Executive Director and Chief Scientist of the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI), it will involve interviewing leaders from community hospitals with established research departments to identify strategies that can increase research capacity.
This year marked the fifth instalment of Research Day, which saw more than 170 attendees from nine health and academic organizations across the Greater Toronto Area gather to focus on patient engagement and partnership in community hospital research.
This year’s theme, Patient Engagement and Partnership in Community Hospital Research, emphasizes the growing importance of involving patients, caregivers and communities in every stage of the research process.
Medical student Prey Patel has had opportunities in the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute’s experiential learning research program that most of his peers won’t see until later in their careers. And he plans to pay it forward at Niagara Health when he graduates.
The Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI) organized and hosted a meeting of top Canadian health researchers to develop a standardized approach to reporting research activity in Canadian community hospitals to get advancements in care to patients more quickly.
Dr. Jennifer Tsang was elected to a four-year term representing Ontario.
Since joining the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute last September, Dr. Heather O’Grady has been focused on how to engage patients in guiding research at Niagara Health.
By including patient partners like Gail Riihimaki in research planning from the very start, the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute is ensuring health research will help the people who stand to benefit most.
