More than two dozen Brock University students and faculty showcased research that supports a healthier community last week at Niagara Health’s fourth-annual Niagara Health Knowledge Institute Research Day.

Hosted by Niagara College on Wednesday, May 2, this year’s conference focused on the theme of inclusion of equity-deserving groups in research. Participants shared research dedicated to improving overall health and well-being, patient outcomes and how health care is delivered through poster and oral presentations.

Brock PhD in Child and Youth Studies student Rebekah Norman presented a poster discussing findings from her master’s thesis research about young caregivers’ experiences with the health and education sector.

She says the event provided her with a space to bring young carers’ stories to practice settings and to front-line health and education professionals.

“My findings join a growing body of research that suggests young carers are unrecognized and unsupported in their health and education,” said Norman. “It is my hope that by attending and presenting at Niagara Health Research Day, health and education professionals in the Niagara region may have a greater awareness of young carers’ experiences and care roles.”

Halla Naamneh Yassin, a Master of Arts in Applied Health Sciences student specializing in Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, gave a presentation on her research, which explores the experiences of mothers of autistic children who engage in physically active leisure.

Halla Naamneh Yassin, a second-year Brock Master of Arts in Applied Health Sciences student specializing in Leisure, Health and Well-being, was one of only two Brock students invited to give an oral presentation. She discussed her thesis research, which explores the experiences of mothers of autistic children who engage in physically active leisure.

During one of the conference’s breakout sessions, Associate Professor of Health Sciences Madelyn Law, who is currently seconded to Niagara Health as its Director, Quality, Patient Safety and Risk, facilitated a discussion on improving health services through change sustainability.

The annual research day is a celebration of Niagara Health’s continued evolution as a learning health system, which depends on its continued relationships with community partners, including Brock University, Niagara College, McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine – Niagara Regional Campus and the Niagara Health Foundation.

Brock University’s participation is a demonstration of its commitment to a memorandum of understanding signed with Niagara Health in 2019 to collaborate in new and enhanced ways to intensify their already-robust efforts in research, innovation and applied learning.