Research

The research we conduct at Niagara Health has a profound impact on the health and well-being of our patients and communities.

While medical research is traditionally conducted in academic hospitals that are affiliated with universities, the majority of patients in Canada receive care in community hospitals.

Niagara Health researchers are at the forefront of a national movement to bring more medical research into community hospital settings like ours.

Our Research Office is dedicated to building our capacity and currently supports more than 50 research studies and clinical trials involving Cardiology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Nephrology, Oncology, Pediatrics and Surgery. These studies contribute to better understanding some of the most significant healthcare challenges of our time and have the potential to benefit patients in Niagara and across Canada.

Latest updates

Thrombosis research gives patients access to ‘cutting edge’ care

Mar 15th, 2023

With four clinical trials underway and the groundwork being laid for a fifth, Niagara Health has positioned itself as a leader in thrombosis research.

See all latest updates

30 clinical trials across Cardiology, Critical Care, Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Kidney Care and Medicine 30 clinical trials across Cardiology, Critical Care, Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Kidney Care and Medicine

14 clinical trials currently in the follow-up stage 14 clinical trials currently in the follow-up stage

25+ multi-centre observational and investigator-initiated studies 25+ multi-centre observational and investigator-initiated studies

$9 million in grant funding Niagara Health has been part of as principal or co-investigators $9 million in grant funding Niagara Health has been part of as principal or co-investigators

Research Office Goals

To build healthcare learners’ and professionals’ skills and confidence in conducting health research
To promote interprofessional collaboration in research
To establish research networks with partners in the community to improve integration of primary and acute health services
To improve health through knowledge translation

Fostering Community Hospital Research

Dr. Jennifer Tsang, Research Lead, Intensivist and Co-Director Critical Care Research, was part of a team of clinicians published in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia (Oct. 12, 2021) examining the importance of increasing participation in pandemic research in Canada. They highlighted that while many Canadian hospitals are participating in COVID-19-related research, the majority of Canadians are cared for in centres where clinical trials are not conducted, and how increased research participation will benefit all hospitals where patients in Canada are treated. Read more

Research Partnerships

Brock University and Niagara Health launched a partnership in March 2019 that will increase opportunities to improve the overall health and wellbeing in our region and beyond. It will place a heightened focus on research that will help people stay healthy, improve both patient outcomes and the way healthcare is delivered, and create training and employment opportunities for Brock students and graduates.

The Research Office has built strong networks within our organization that include departments such as Quality, Patient Safety & Risk, Decision Support, Health Records and many clinical departments and units across Niagara Health.

We're also very proud to work closely with our community partners:

Examples of research at Niagara Health

Conducting COVID-19 research studies and creating opportunities for Niagara patients to participate in clinical trials related to the virus.
Better understanding the standard of care radiation through Randomized Phase III Clinical Trial SABR COMET 3 and COMET 10.
Reducing opioid prescriptions in Emergency Departments and surgical units.
Participating in a Canadian Medication Safety Improvement Project – one of the many ways we emphasize safety and reduce harm.
Being able to better predict and manage pain, agitation and delirium among our critically ill patients.
Participating in More-2-Eat, a study that looked at ways to treat and prevent malnutrition. Our teams identify at-risk patients and work with them on nutrition treatment plans. We also connect patients to resources for support when they leave the hospital.

Research Office Team

Zuher “Zeau” Ismail, MBA, MSc, OT Reg (Ont), CRM, CHE

Director, Interprofessional Practice, Ethics & Spiritual Care & Research Administration.
zeau.ismail@niagarahealth.on.ca
W: 905-378-4647 Ext. 44655 I F: 905-684-1468

Jennifer LY Tsang, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Physician Research Lead, Intensivist, Niagara Health,
Assistant Professor of Medicine, McMaster University
dr.jennifer.tsang@niagarahealth.on.ca
tsangj10@mcmaster.ca
W: 905-378-4647 x42919