The spotlight will be cast on healthcare researchers and their innovative efforts to create a healthier Niagara at the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI) Research Day on May 2.
This year marks the fourth edition of the event, to be held at Niagara College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Research Day highlights participants’ ideas and findings that will impact the standards of healthcare locally and beyond.
Research Day is also a celebration of the first anniversary of the NHKI, established on May 2, 2023, to formalize Niagara Health’s role as a Canadian leader in community hospital research, benefitting patients and aiding in the recruitment of top medical professionals to the region.
“This Research Day is a really special event, given the milestone we’re recognizing for the NHKI, but also to celebrate the important work being done by healthcare researchers, including our own staff and physicians, students and community partners,” says Elaina Orlando, NHKI Manager of Research, and Research Day organizer. “Together, they’re advancing knowledge to improve how care is delivered and achieve a common goal of creating a healthier Niagara.”
That includes ensuring equity in healthcare. This year’s NHKI Research Day theme is Inclusion of Equity-deserving Groups in Research. Bernice Downey, Associate Dean of Indigenous Health at McMaster University, will deliver this year’s keynote address, “Reconciliation Pathways: Opportunities for Institutional Allyship.”
The event will also feature workshops to further healthcare research, a showcase of more than 50 research poster presentations, and networking opportunities. Winners of the Niagara Health Research Awards, presented to one Niagara Health physician and staff member, will also be announced.
In addition to researchers from Niagara Health, participants include students and faculty from Brock University, McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine - Niagara Regional Campus and Niagara College, and Niagara Region Public Health staff.
