Facing challenges in 2021, Inspiring Healthy Futures progress, and welcome to new IAB member
Message from Dr. Christine Chambers

Dear members of the IHDCYH community,

We’re all facing challenges as 2021 shifts into high gear and we reflect on the milestone of one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every one of us is experiencing different levels of work and home life overload, while we do our best to keep our kids, families, colleagues and communities supported, appreciated, and healthy. I frequently (virtually) see you all supporting each other, offering advice, resources, learning opportunities, virtual hugs, and yes, even timely pet photos. I appreciate seeing and hearing about the many achievements and victories, as well as the stumbles and not-as-positive experiences that everyone is having. You are not alone, and we all celebrate and commiserate together as we work as a Canada-wide effort to get through this pandemic.

A big step forward for our IHDCYH team as we look to the months and years ahead is the next phase of our Inspiring Healthy Futures collaboration with Children’s Healthcare Canada, UNICEF Canada, and the Pediatric Chairs of Canada. I’m excited to announce that starting on February 16 we will hold eight focused planning sessions called Strategy Hives, and each one will be focused on a key theme we heard in the fall and winter focus groups. Each two-hour session builds on the earlier ones to construct an action plan to measurably improve health and well-being for children, family and youth in CanadaRead more about each session on our initiative website and please register to join us for any and all of the sessions that you feel most drawn to.

Finally, I’m delighted to welcome the newest member of the IHDCYH Institute Advisory Board, Taylor Morriseau. As an Indigenous Scholar and PhD candidate with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Taylor’s research examines gene-environment interactions underlying type 2 diabetes among Indigenous youth. Taylor is also the recipient of a CIHR Vanier Scholarship. My team at IHDCYH is thankful for the varied and important expertise all our IAB members bring to our Institute’s work. Welcome Taylor!

Sincerely,

Christine

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