Research that supports a healthier Niagara will be at the forefront of discussions taking place Thursday, May 4 at Brock University for Niagara Health Research Day.

The annual showcase organized by Niagara Health highlights research dedicated to improving overall health and well-being, patient outcomes and how health care is delivered.

In addition to Brock hosting the in-person event, the University will have a strong presence with several faculty, staff and alumni leading workshops; 23 Brock authors presenting research posters; and employees and students attending the event.

Workshops led by Brock community members include:

• “Stories, Words, Observations – Everything is Data: An introduction to Qualitative Research,” presented by Madelyn Law, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, and Kelly Pilato, Health Sciences Instructor and Research Associate.
• “Economic Evaluation in Health Research,” presented by Asif Khowaja, Assistant Professor, Health Sciences.
• “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Considerations in Research,” presented by Syna Thakur, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Advisor.
• “The Quality Improvement Journey: Where QI and Research Intersect,” presented by Niagara Health Critical Care Physician Dr. Benjamin Tam with Brock alumnae Anna Boric (BRLS ’17, MBA ’19) and Megan Brown (BSc ’17, MPH ’22, MBA ’22), who are both Quality and Patient Safety Specialists with Niagara Health.

Peter Tiidus, Dean for Brock’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, says the University’s involvement in the health research day is indicative of Brock and Niagara Health’s commitment to a memorandum of understanding that was signed in 2019 to collaborate in new and enhanced ways to intensify their already-robust efforts in research, innovation and applied learning.

“It’s one of several ways we continue to strengthen our relationship with Niagara Health and work together to improve the health and vitality of our region,” he says. “In addition to collaborations in research, we work together to provide clinical placements and other experiential learning opportunities for Brock students and career opportunities for our graduates.”

Niagara Health’s Manager of Research Elaina Orlando says the annual event is a celebration of Niagara Health’s continued evolution as a learning health system, which is contingent on the continued positive relationships they have with partners including Brock University, Niagara College, McMaster University and Niagara Region.

“We are grateful to our partners at Brock for hosting this year’s event, which provides a glimpse into the research and quality improvement work underway to change the way we provide care in our hospitals and in our community,” she says. “We aspire to have a Niagara where research is integral to our identity and bringing together our community for Research Day is key to that.”

Niagara Health Research Day is open to all members of the Brock community. To gain access to the free event, register at the Niagara Health Research Day website by noon on Friday, April 28.