Health System Impact Fellowship – 2026 Fellow Profiles

Profile:
Exploring what genetic counsellors can do to help children with complex medical needs and their families Name: Tasha Wainstein Host Partner Organization: Canuck Place Children's Hospice and BCCH Centre for Health Complexity Location (city, province): Vancouver, British Columbia Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch Health System Mentor: Dr. Hal Siden PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (CIHR-IHDCYH) & Michael Smith Health Research BC About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: I am a genetic counsellor and applied health researcher. I’ll be collaborating with children with complex medical needs and their families to explore the best way to include genetic counsellors in their medical and psychological care teams. My goal is to improve care by making genetic support more accessible and better connected to the care they receive throughout their journeys. LinkedIn Google Scholar Bluesky
Roots & Resilience: Métis Youth‑Centered Vaping Cessation Strategy Name: Hayley Pelletier Host Partner Organization: Lung Saskatchewan Location (city, province): Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Academic Institution: University of Saskatchewan Academic Mentor: Dr. Akram Mahani Health System Mentor: Trent Litzenberger PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research with Lung Sask will involve developing an evidence-based vaping cessation strategy to reduce youth vaping rate amongst Indigenous youth in Saskatchewan. At present, there is no-widely accepted or implemented strategy for vaping cessation in the province. The project will leverage and integrate existing working relationships with Métis Nation Saskatchewan to co-develop, pilot, and evaluate an intervention that is rooted in a Two-Eyed Seeing approach. LinkedIn
Impact and effectiveness of HPV vaccination Name: Addisu Jember Zeleke Host Partner Organization: Alberta Health and Wellness (currently known as Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services) Location (city, province): Edmonton, Alberta Academic Institution: University of Alberta Academic Mentor: Dr. Shannon MacDonald Health System Mentor: Dr. Amy Colquhoun PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research evaluates the population-level impact and dose-specific effectiveness of HPV vaccination on high-grade precancerous lesions, and cervical and oropharyngeal cancers in Alberta. Using linked administrative health data, I will apply advanced statistical methods and machine learning to estimate vaccine effectiveness and identify inequities in protection. My goal is to generate actionable evidence to strengthen immunization policy and cancer prevention. LinkedIn
Community-Based Primary Prevention to Reduce Adolescent Substance Use and Promote Wellbeing Name: David Borkenhagen Host Partner Organization: United Way of Calgary Location (city, province): AB Academic Institution: University of Calgary Academic Mentor: Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos Health System Mentor: Monique Blough PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research focuses on improving youth mental health and reducing substance use by strengthening the protective effects of social and built environments. I pursue this work because I believe that communities strongly shape youth well-being. I hope to advance equitable, data-informed, and youth-led prevention initiatives that create lasting change in the places where young people grow up. Website
Strengthening Early Career Nurse Practitioner Workforce Integration: Understanding How Role Transition Impacts Retention and System Performance Name: Rebecca Bingley Host Partner Organization: Fraser Health Authority Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Dr. Sandra Lauck Health System Mentor: Dr. Laura Housden PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) & Michael Smith Health Research BC About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My embedded research focuses on the transition of early career nurse practitioners into clinical practice in British Columbia. I am pursuing this work to strengthen health workforce integration and support new nurse practitioners during a critical career stage. I hope to generate evidence that informs transition supports, improves workforce retention, and contributes to a more sustainable health care system.
Strengthening the Safe and Effective use of AI-Augmented Clinical Decision Support Tools in Acute Care in Alberta: Co-designing a Provincial Innovation Strategy to Improve Patient Flow Name: Danielle Fox Host Partner Organization: Acute Care Alberta Location (city, province): Calgary, Alberta Academic Institution: The University of Calgary Academic Mentor: Dr. Paul Ronksley and Dr. Christiane Job McIntosh Health System Mentor: Ms. Carmella Steinke PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: AI-augmented clinical decision support tools hold transformative potential for improving patient flow, but their integration into complex health systems is challenging. This research will map how these tools are used in acute care, co-create a vision for an AI-enabled Learning Health System, and co-design a provincial innovation strategy to strengthen Alberta's capacity for equitable, safe, and effective digital health integration. LinkedIn
Supporting self-management, organization and integration of care: development and implementation of a patient learning pathway for hereditary connective tissue disorders Name: Catherine Côté Host Partner Organization: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada Location (city, province): Pointe-Claire, Quebec Academic Institution: Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Academic Mentor: Dr. Gabrielle Pagé Health System Mentor: Dr. Jida El Hajjar PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research aims to develop a navigation map to improve care trajectories for people living with complex conditions. I want to help reduce inequalities, strengthen continuity of care and support patient autonomy. I want to make a lasting contribution to more coherent and efficient health care systems that are focused on the real needs of populations. LinkedIn
Fostering Collaboration to Support Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral Adoption and Scale-Up in Alberta Name: Nana Ama Efurma Adjabeng Host Partner Organization: Primary Care Alberta Location (city, province): Edmonton, Alberta Academic Institution: University of Alberta Academic Mentor: Stephen Hodgins Health System Mentor: Kamala Adhikari Dahal PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Lifestyle risk factors drive the growing burden of chronic disease, yet screening, brief intervention, and referral (SBIR) remain underutilized in healthcare settings. My PhD uses embedded implementation research to partner with providers and decision-makers to scale up SBIR using electronic health records. I hope to contribute co-produced, equitable recommendations that support the integration of SBIR into routine care. LinkedIn
Building a Case for Community-Led Mental Healthcare: Evaluating BC’s Crisis Response Service Name: Casey Chu Host Partner Organization: Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC) Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of Toronto Academic Mentor: Claire de Oliveira Health System Mentor: Jonathan Morris PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: I will be conducting an economic evaluation of the Crisis Response, Community Led (CRCL) service in BC as a compassionate, culturally appropriate alternative to emergency services. I am motivated to deepen the evidence for community based mental health care that supports people where they live. My goal is to generate knowledge that strengthens crisis systems grounded in dignity, equity, and community needs. LinkedIn
Strengthening Primary Care Capacity for Dementia Assessment in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Name: Marie-Joelle Beaudoin Host Partner Organization: Centre for addiction and mental health Location (city, province): Toronto, Ontario Academic Institution: York university Academic Mentor: Sara Pishdadian Health System Mentor: Yona Lunsky PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My embedded research focuses on aging and intellectual disabilities, with the goal of supporting frontline practitioners conducting dementia assessments in this population. People with intellectual disabilities are five times more likely to develop dementia, yet services remain poorly adapted. My work promotes earlier, equitable dementia care through bilingual (French and English) knowledge mobilization and practice support.
Automation of a standardized clinical assessment using existing electronic health record documentation Name: Lorraine J. Block Host Partner Organization: Vancouver Coastal Health Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Leanne Currie Health System Mentor: Rosa Hart PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: This embedded research will explore how to automate parts of a standardized clinical assessment through the reuse of information already documented in the electronic health record. By using terminology mapping methods and natural language processing techniques, this work will aim to reduce documentation burden, improve clinical experience, and advance efficiencies in care delivery.
Laying the Groundwork and Building Strategic Capacity for Older Person-Inclusive Climate Action Name: Tara T. Chen Host Partner Organization: International Federation on Ageing Location (city, province): Toronto, Ontario Academic Institution: University of Waterloo Academic Mentor: Susan J. Elliott Health System Mentor: Sonia Hsiung PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Guided by the motto “everything and everywhere is public health”, my work with the IFA will focus on strengthening organizational capacity to address the intersection of climate change and healthy ageing, generating practical knowledge and processes to support age-inclusive climate advocacy, policy, and action. LinkedIn GoHeLP Lab Website
Equity by Design: Co-Producing Quality Improvement Evaluation in Nova Scotia Name: Gianisa Adisaputri Host Partner Organization: IWK Health Location (city, province): Halifax, NS Academic Institution: Dalhousie University Academic Mentor: Dr. Janet Curran Health System Mentor: Dr. Douglas Sinclair PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My embedded research focuses on co-producing an equity-focused quality improvement evaluation framework in Nova Scotia. I pursue this work to ensure health system improvements are guided by the experiences of underserved communities and frontline providers. By embedding research within decision-making processes, I aim to advance more accountable, inclusive, and equitable health system transformation that improves access and outcomes.
Care Without Walls: Advancing Mental Health Access in BC Corrections Name: Lotenna Olisaeloka Host Partner Organization: Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Location (city, province): Vancouver, British BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia (UBC) Academic Mentor: Daniel Vigo Health System Mentor: Vijay Seethapathy PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) & Michael Smith Health Research BC About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: I am a physician-scientist whose clinical and research experience across Nigerian, British, and Canadian health systems has shown me firsthand how underserved populations fall through the cracks. My fellowship embeds me within British Columbia's health system to support the implementation of mental health units in correctional settings, improving access to integrated, recovery-oriented care for a vulnerable population too often left behind. LinkedIn
Integrating Patient Voices into Alberta Rheumatology: Best Practices and Pathways Forward Name: Racheal Githumbi Host Partner Organization: Primary Care Alberta Location (city, province): Calgary, AB Academic Institution: University of Calgary Academic Mentor: Claire E.H. Barber Health System Mentor: Kamala Adhikari Dahal PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Standardized outcome measures are central to guideline-based Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) care yet remain underutilized. My project leverages implementation science to facilitate routine collection of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) among individuals living with RA in Alberta. This work will improve assessment and monitoring for thousands of RA patients and establish a foundation for broader PROM implementation across other chronic conditions.
Toward Seamless Transitions: Embedding Equity-Oriented Digital Pathways in Mental Health Care Name: Julia Wong Host Partner Organization: Sinai Health Systems Location (city, province): Toronto, Ontario Academic Institution: Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto Academic Mentor: Carolyn Steele Gray Health System Mentor: Lily Yang PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: I am a digital health researcher studying how health information systems can better support equitable transitions in mental health care. Working with health system partners, I examine how digital pathways can improve continuity across care settings. My goal is to help build more equitable, coordinated learning health systems that enable seamless transitions. LinkedIn Research Gate
Equity-driven responses to enhance how older adults prepare for and protect their health from extreme heat, cold, and wildfire smoke Name: Callista Ottoni Host Partner Organization: Vancouver Coastal Health Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: Simon Fraser University Academic Mentor: Meghan Winters Health System Mentor: Michael Schwandt PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research strengthens health system organizations’ capacity to support older adults’ health during extreme heat, cold, and wildfire smoke events. I strive to reduce climate-related harms and support older adults’ health through evidence-informed responses. My goal is to learn from diverse older adults’ lived-experiences to improve health system and community interventions (policies, programs, tools, strategies) and advance health equity. LinkedIn
Leveraging implementation science to improve tobacco cessation services in long term care and outpatient care settings in British Columbia Name: Sameh Mortazhejri Host Partner Organization: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Femke Hoekstra Health System Mentor: Meenakshi Dawar PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR-ICRH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: I conduct embedded implementation science research to improve how evidence-based care is delivered in health systems. My HSIF project focuses on improving smoking cessation support in different healthcare settings in British Columbia. By working with people with lived experiences, clinicians, and health leaders, I aim to develop equitable and sustainable approaches that make effective care easier to deliver and access. LinkedIn
Evaluation of innovative referral pathways and digital tools for early Parkinson’s Care Name: Pushpita Samina Host Partner Organization: Parkinson Canada Location (city, province): Ottawa, Ontario Academic Institution: University of Ottawa Academic Mentor: Sathya Karunananthan Health System Mentor: Karen Lee PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research addresses health system challenges through economic evaluation and policy analysis. I am dedicated to enhancing early Parkinson’s Disease care by assessing innovative referral and digital solutions and tackling delays caused by fragmented pathways and limited resources. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence, aligned infrastructure, stakeholder partnerships, and real-world data, my goal is to improve population outcomes and optimize system performance. LinkedIn
Improving Care and Reducing Overdose Risk for People Leaving Jail After COVID-19 Name: Kimberly Rondeau Host Partner Organization: BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia (UBC) Academic Mentor: Amanda Slaunwhite Health System Mentor: Kacey Dalzell PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research examines how COVID-19 has affected the health and overdose risk of people incarcerated in British Columbia’s provincial correctional centres. I pursue this work to address the intersecting crises of substance use, mental illness, and health care in this population. I aim to generate evidence that improves care continuity, reduces overdose deaths, and supports safer transitions to the community.
Fair Share, Trusted Care: Advancing Health Equity through Justice-Based and Community-Centred Public Health Frameworks Name: Kate Enright Host Partner Organization: Public Health Ontario (PHO) Location (city, province): Toronto, ON Academic Institution: Western University Academic Mentor: Maxwell J. Smith Health System Mentor: Tamara Wallington PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: This collaboration seeks to understand different concepts of equity in public health, to clarify how these differences impact health outcomes, and to generate practical tools that safeguard fairness and trust. I hope to make a lasting and just contribution via this project, which perfectly aligns my professional passions and global experiences of tackling inequitable access and equity in health. LinkedIn Website
Enhancing Transitional Care for Hospitalized Patients who are Designated as Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Name: Ahmad Deeb Host Partner Organization: Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services Location (city, province): St. John's Academic Institution: Memorial University of Newfoundland Academic Mentor: Joy Maddigan Health System Mentor: Liam Kelly PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research focuses on improving hospital care and patient safety. My PhD explores nurses’ contributions to preventing, early detection, and response to clinical deterioration, while my fellowship evaluates innovative discharge models for patients in the Alternate Level of Care (ALC). I aim to produce evidence that informs policy and improves care transitions, patient outcomes, and hospital capacity.
Optimizing the use of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical decision-making to advance person-centred cancer care Name: Christian Lopez Host Partner Organization: Cancer Care Alberta Location (city, province): Calgary, AB Academic Institution: University of Calgary Academic Mentor: Maria Santana Health System Mentor: Linda Watson PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Effective symptom management remains a priority challenge in cancer care, yet patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that support responsive clinical decision-making are underused in practice. My research aims to optimize clinician adoption of Cancer Care Alberta’s PROM system, MySymptom Report, by applying implementation science approaches to identify barriers, co-design strategies, and evaluate their impact, with the goal of advancing person-centred care. LinkedIn
Who is in our samples, and what can we say about people who are not? Examining study sample definition in health administrative database and generalizability to target populations for substance use epidemiology in British Columbia. Name: Addie Carter Host Partner Organization: British Columbia Ministry of Health Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Amanda Slaunwhite Health System Mentor: Carolyn Davison PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research applies fundamental and advanced epidemiologic concepts to better understand current limitations in substance use epidemiology. I aim to help the Ministry of Health better recontextualize substance use epidemiology, especially, in translating quantitative estimates to policy. The goal is to help key stakeholders make more informed decisions that hopefully results in better policy — ultimately, resulting in a healthier society.
Free Birth Control in BC: Who Is Still Being Left Behind? Name: Elizabeth Nethery Host Partner Organization: BC Ministry of Health Location (city, province): Victoria, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Laura Schummers Health System Mentor: Maryna Korchagina PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Universal coverage does not guarantee equitable access. My embedded research applies population-level data and policy evaluation methods to understand how health policies shape access to care. Through my fellowship, I will evaluate British Columbia's free contraception policy to identify who benefits and where inequities remain, generating evidence to guide more equitable reproductive health policies that improve access for all. Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Google scholar
Digital Intelligence for Modern Health Systems Name: Shahan Salim Host Partner Organization: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Location (city, province): Paris, France Academic Institution: University of Waterloo Academic Mentor: Dr. Plinio P. Morita Health System Mentor: Eric Sutherland PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: As countries modernize health systems, Dr. Salim’s work at the OECD examines how digital health is reshaping health systems to detect and respond to emerging health risks. His research advances the integration of AI and advanced analytics within health systems to enable earlier detection and more effective responses, particularly for populations disproportionately affected by climate-related and other emerging health threats. LinkedIn
Integrating Clinical Exercise Physiologists into Primary Care: A Hybrid Type 2 Trial to Improve Physical Function and Activity in Older Adults Name: Brianna Leadbetter Host Partner Organization: Nova Scotia Health Location (city, province): Wolfville, Nova Scotia Academic Institution: University of New Brunswick Academic Mentor: Danielle Bouchard Health System Mentor: Jonathon Fowles PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: I am passionate about the role of exercise prescription in chronic disease management and healthy aging. My research aims to identify the barriers and facilitators to integrating qualified exercise professionals into primary care settings in Canada, ultimately providing strategies for provincial healthcare systems to embed exercise professionals into collaborative health teams to help older adults age in place. LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Knowing Who We Serve: A Rural Ontario Health Team’s Equity Data Project Name: Vivian Yejide Kilanko Host Partner Organization: Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team Location (city, province): Chatham, Ontario Academic Institution: Queen’s University Academic Mentor: Rosemary Wilson Health System Mentor: Melissa Sharpe-Harrigan PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Vivian Yejide Kilanko is a fourth-year Health Quality PhD student and a registered social worker in children’s mental health. Her embedded research focuses on standardizing the collection of sociodemographic data for equity-denied patient populations, helping the Chatham-Kent health system consistently identify, monitor, and address health inequities. LinkedIn
Unpacking the Workload of Community-Based Personal Support Workers: A Path Toward Smarter Management Name: Kate Posluszny Host Partner Organization: VHA Home HealthCare Location (city, province): Toronto, ON Academic Institution: University of Waterloo Academic Mentor: Steven L. Fischer Health System Mentor: Emily C. King PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Playing a critical role in providing at-home care, a limited number of community-based personal support workers (PSWs) are supporting a rapidly aging population that remain in-place. To mitigate and prevent the already high rates of low back musculoskeletal disorders and mental stress injuries, my research aims to better monitor and manage PSWs’ physical and psychological demands at a system-level. LinkedIn
Community-Based Research Training in the Northwest Territories Name: Janat Ibrahimi Host Partner Organization: Institute for Circumpolar Health Research Location (city, province): Yellowknife, NT Academic Institution: University of Alberta Academic Mentor: Susan Chatwood Health System Mentor: Anita Daniels-Black PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (CIHR-IIPH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My embedded research supports the development of a community-based research training program in the Northwest Territories that strengthens local research capacity in northern communities. I pursue this work because research should be grounded in community priorities and knowledge. I hope to contribute to more equitable, culturally responsive health systems and support community-led research across the North.
Building New Brunswick's First Practice-Based Research and Learning Network (PBRLN) Name: Amy MacQuarrie Host Partner Organization: Government of New Brunswick - Department of Health Location (city, province): Saint John, NB Academic Institution: University of New Brunswick Academic Mentor: Shelley Doucet Health System Mentor: Penny Higdon PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowshipp Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: With the current demands on the healthcare system in New Brunswick, a Patient-Based Research and Learning Network (PBRLN) will help improve the delivery of care and integrate research into primary care clinics. I hope to create meaningful changes in healthcare innovation and practice by expanding my area of research, networking, and collaborating with professionals from a range of backgrounds. LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Enhancing Evidence-Based Opioid Use Disorder Care Through Evaluation of System-Level Reforms in British Columbia Name: Yuetong Zhou (Vivienne) Host Partner Organization: Vancouver Coastal Health Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Eugenia Socias Health System Mentor: Nadia Fairbarin PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowshipp Fellowship funder(s): Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Changes in opioid use disorder (OUD) care in BC have been rapid since the 2016 public health emergency. Partnering with Vancouver Coastal Health, this project uses real-world data and causal inference methods to evaluate recent treatment and policy reforms. Findings will generate actionable evidence to improve care for OUD patients and inform clinical and policy decision-making across BC and beyond. LinkedIn Website
Understanding the Epidemiology and Service Needs of Substance-Induced Mental Disorders (SIMDs) in Ontario Name: Mana Mohebbian Host Partner Organization: Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) Location (city, province): Kingston, Ontario Academic Institution: Queen's University Academic Mentor: Zainab Samaan Health System Mentor: Nazanin Alavi Tabari PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowshipp Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) & Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research examines substance-induced mental disorders as a critical yet overlooked consequence of problematic substance use. Building on my doctoral work in British Columbia, I now study their burden across Ontario and evaluate related mental health and addiction services. I hope to identify care gaps and generate evidence that guides policy, resource allocation, and more integrated support for affected population.
Investigating the Canadian Mental Health System for Improvement and Efficiency Name: Rishika Selvakumar Host Partner Organization: Canadian Mental Health Association in British Columbia (CMHA-BC) Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Craig Mitton Health System Mentor: Jonathan Morris PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (CIHR-IHDCYH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research with CMHA will focus on analyzing the economic efficiency of parent-based early childhood interventions. Mental health continues to be a growing issue, and both responsive and preventative projects are a key interest of mine, especially in relation to health economics. The results will assist with resource and funding planning. LinkedIn
Between Efficiency and Equity: Assessing the Feasibility of an Innovative Method for the Economic Assessment of Mental Health Technologies Name: Alexandra Chapdelaine Host Partner Organization: Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux Location (city, province): Quebec City, Quebec Academic Institution: Laval University Academic Mentor: Jason Robert Guertin Health System Mentor: Pascale Lehoux PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Distributional cost-effectiveness analysis combines efficiency and equity in the assessment of health technologies by examining the distribution of health benefits across the population. This project aims to lay the methodological groundwork for the application of this analysis in the field of mental health in Quebec, with the goal of moving toward a more equitable allocation of resources. LinkedIn
Supporting Recovery: Trauma-Informed Treatment for Women with Concurrent Disorders Name: Ekatrina Kiddie Host Partner Organization: BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services Location (city, province): Vancouver, British Columbia Academic Institution: Simon Fraser University Academic Mentor: Stephen Hart Health System Mentor: Tonia Nicholls PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: Women with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges often experience repeated involvement with health, social, and justice systems. My research examines how trauma-informed treatment at the Heartwood Centre for Women may disrupt this cycle by supporting recovery, reducing trauma-related symptoms, and improving women’s treatment outcomes. Through this work, I aim to advance evidence-based and gender-responsive care for women with complex needs.
Fit-for-purpose statistics for health system improvement: a focus on outcomes in pragmatic trials Name: Bin Luo Host Partner Organization: Ontario Health - Ontario Renal Network Location (city, province): Toronto, Ontario Academic Institution: Western University Academic Mentor: Amit Garg Health System Mentor: Peter Gerard Blake PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research will focus on developing and applying statistical methods, which will enable a more precise analysis of outcomes measured using provincial administrative healthcare data in pragmatic randomized trials embedded in routine care. These trials are valued for producing high-quality evidence on the real-world effectiveness of health interventions.
Strengthening access to sexually transmitted infection testing in the Vancouver region Name: Marnie Yimeng Wang Host Partner Organization: Vancouver Coastal Health Location (city, province): Vancouver, British Columbia Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Mark Gilbert Health System Mentor: Rohit Vijh PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: PhD Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research evaluates ED-based opt-out and patient-initiated STI testing to address rising syphilis rates. I am motivated to bridge gaps for populations facing structural barriers to care. I hope to provide the evidence needed to scale these low-barrier models, ensuring equitable access and working toward the elimination of congenital syphilis. LinkedIn
Assessing and Improving Learning Health System Capabilities across Clinical Programs at Trillium Health Partners Name: Victor Rentes Host Partner Organization: Trillium Health Partners Location (city, province): Mississauga, ON Academic Institution: University of Toronto Academic Mentor: Walter Wodchis Health System Mentor: Amir Ginzburg PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My research sits at the intersection of learning health systems and implementation science. Embedded at Trillium Health Partners, I study how clinical teams develop the capacity to learn from data, co-design with patients, and deliver better care over time. I want to help create a future where learning and continuous improvement are built into how health care is delivered.
Addressing Health Inequities in Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Enhancing Case-Finding Strategy to Quantify Burden and Guide Equitable Service Planning. Name: Yun Wu Host Partner Organization: Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Location (city, province): Edmonton, Alberta Academic Institution: University of Alberta Academic Mentor: Jeff Bakal Health System Mentor: Chester Ho PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) & Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA) About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My embedded research focuses on improving case-finding for non-traumatic spinal cord injury to reveal hidden inequities in who is identified, treated, and supported. I pursue this work to make overlooked populations visible in health systems data. I hope to generate evidence that drives equitable service planning, earlier recognition, and better rehabilitation pathways for people living with NTSCI. LinkedIn
Carving a Path to Wellness: Supporting Indigenous Youth Through Culture and Community Name: David J Robinson Host Partner Organization: Indigenous Physical Activity and Cultural Circle Location (city, province): Vancouver, BC Academic Institution: University of British Columbia Academic Mentor: Darren Warburton Health System Mentor: Rosalin Miles PhD or Post-doctoral Fellowship: Post-doctoral Fellowship Fellowship funder(s): CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis & Michael Smith Health Research BC About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work: My embedded research is rooted in the teachings of the cedar tree, land-based carving, Indigenous knowledge, and the wholistic health and wellness of Indigenous youth, men, families, and communities. Through the stages of a tree’s life, I explore how identity, resilience, spiritual well-being, and collective healing are shaped by relationship, environment, culture, and spirit. I am pursuing this work because I believe healing begins when people remember who they are, where they come from, and how deeply they are connected to one another, the land, and future generations. The mark I hope to leave is one of grounded growth, cultural strength, and legacy: helping others feel rooted, protected, and empowered to carry wellness forward.. Website: Thunder Carving & Education Instagram: @thundercarving

Date modified:: 2026-05-13

Health System Impact Fellowship – 2026 Fellow Profiles

Exploring what genetic counsellors can do to help children with complex medical needs and their families

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Roots & Resilience: Métis Youth‑Centered Vaping Cessation Strategy

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Impact and effectiveness of HPV vaccination

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Community-Based Primary Prevention to Reduce Adolescent Substance Use and Promote Wellbeing

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Strengthening Early Career Nurse Practitioner Workforce Integration: Understanding How Role Transition Impacts Retention and System Performance

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Strengthening the Safe and Effective use of AI-Augmented Clinical Decision Support Tools in Acute Care in Alberta: Co-designing a Provincial Innovation Strategy to Improve Patient Flow

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Supporting self-management, organization and integration of care: development and implementation of a patient learning pathway for hereditary connective tissue disorders

About You & Your Fellowship Program of Work:

Fostering Collaboration to Support Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral Adoption and Scale-Up in Alberta

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Building a Case for Community-Led Mental Healthcare: Evaluating BC’s Crisis Response Service

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Strengthening Primary Care Capacity for Dementia Assessment in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

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Automation of a standardized clinical assessment using existing electronic health record documentation

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Laying the Groundwork and Building Strategic Capacity for Older Person-Inclusive Climate Action

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Equity by Design: Co-Producing Quality Improvement Evaluation in Nova Scotia

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Care Without Walls: Advancing Mental Health Access in BC Corrections

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Integrating Patient Voices into Alberta Rheumatology: Best Practices and Pathways Forward

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Toward Seamless Transitions: Embedding Equity-Oriented Digital Pathways in Mental Health Care

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Equity-driven responses to enhance how older adults prepare for and protect their health from extreme heat, cold, and wildfire smoke

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Leveraging implementation science to improve tobacco cessation services in long term care and outpatient care settings in British Columbia

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Evaluation of innovative referral pathways and digital tools for early Parkinson’s Care

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Improving Care and Reducing Overdose Risk for People Leaving Jail After COVID-19

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Fair Share, Trusted Care: Advancing Health Equity through Justice-Based and Community-Centred Public Health Frameworks

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Enhancing Transitional Care for Hospitalized Patients who are Designated as Alternate Level of Care (ALC)

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Optimizing the use of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical decision-making to advance person-centred cancer care

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Who is in our samples, and what can we say about people who are not? Examining study sample definition in health administrative database and generalizability to target populations for substance use epidemiology in British Columbia.

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Free Birth Control in BC: Who Is Still Being Left Behind?

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Digital Intelligence for Modern Health Systems

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Integrating Clinical Exercise Physiologists into Primary Care: A Hybrid Type 2 Trial to Improve Physical Function and Activity in Older Adults

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Knowing Who We Serve: A Rural Ontario Health Team’s Equity Data Project

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Unpacking the Workload of Community-Based Personal Support Workers: A Path Toward Smarter Management

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Community-Based Research Training in the Northwest Territories

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Building New Brunswick's First Practice-Based Research and Learning Network (PBRLN)

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Enhancing Evidence-Based Opioid Use Disorder Care Through Evaluation of System-Level Reforms in British Columbia

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Understanding the Epidemiology and Service Needs of Substance-Induced Mental Disorders (SIMDs) in Ontario

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Investigating the Canadian Mental Health System for Improvement and Efficiency

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Between Efficiency and Equity: Assessing the Feasibility of an Innovative Method for the Economic Assessment of Mental Health Technologies

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Supporting Recovery: Trauma-Informed Treatment for Women with Concurrent Disorders

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Fit-for-purpose statistics for health system improvement: a focus on outcomes in pragmatic trials

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Strengthening access to sexually transmitted infection testing in the Vancouver region

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Assessing and Improving Learning Health System Capabilities across Clinical Programs at Trillium Health Partners

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Addressing Health Inequities in Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Enhancing Case-Finding Strategy to Quantify Burden and Guide Equitable Service Planning.