HEI’s 21st Annual Research Day: A celebration of health research achievements

On Thursday, March 7, the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) hosted it’s 21st annual Research Day event at Sheraton Hamilton Hotel. The much-anticipated event provided a unique opportunity for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and HEI community members alike to come together and celebrate the impactful health research happening across the department.

The day began bright and early with breakfast and an opportunity to view posters submitted by students across HEI’s seven programs. The agenda was packed with a variety of plenary sessions, featuring Myles Sergeant, a family physician with over 25 years of experience working with vulnerable populations, and Sujane Kandasamy, an intersectional environmentalist and knowledge translation practitioner, who presented on the topic “Opportunities & Challenges in Planetary Health: A Look into How Partnerships Can Mobilize Sustainable Practices in Health Systems.” In the afternoon, Lawrence Mbuagbaw, HEI Associate Professor, presented on the topic of “Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Health Research.” Attendees also heard from Myanca Rodrigues, HRM PhD Student and David Sackett Scholarship Recipient 2022-2023, on her presentation about “Heterogeneity across outcomes reported in clinical trials for older adults with depression.” Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to choose from a variety of informative presentations by students during the concurrent sessions in both the morning and afternoon. To view the full agenda, click here.

This year’s Research Day was a celebration of innovation, dedication, and the future of health research. During the final session of the day, attendees had the chance to further extend the celebration during the Award Presentation, specifically honouring the recipients of the David L. Sackett Award for Best Oral Presentation, the Michael Gent Award for Best Poster Abstract Presentation, the Murray Enkin Award for Best Poster, and an array of faculty and student awards.

Robby Nieuwlaat, HEI Associate Professor and Research Day Lead, summarized the day best during his closing remarks, “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all HEI community members who came together to showcase and celebrate the impactful health research that defines us. The insightful presentations and engaging discussions have undoubtedly set the stage for a future enriched with innovative discoveries.”

The day would not have been possible without the 2024 Research Day Committee members, a diverse group of HEI faculty and staff, including Robby Nieuwlaat, Laura Anderson, Gabi Watson, Kia Williams, Romina Brignardello, Lisa Schwartz, Joseph Beyene, Russell de Souza, Mitch Levine, Anna Miroshnychenko, and Hibah Syed.

2024 Research Day Award Recipients

David L. Sackett Award for Best Oral Presentation | Letebrhan Ferrow, HEI Staff

Topic: Awareness of Actions to Reduce Dementia Risk Among First Nations People in File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council: A Review of the Brain Health PRO Platform

Michael Gent Award for Best Poster Abstract Presentation | Nazmul Islam, HRM PhD Student

Topic: Prognostic risk factors for the development of food allergy in infants and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Murray Enkin Award for Best Poster | Sarah Kirsh, HRM MSc Student

Topic: Values and preferences in COVID-19 public health guidelines: A systematic review

Student Research Paper Award | Yuting Wang, HRM PhD Student

Topic: A step-by-step approach for selecting an optimal minimal important difference

Student Research Paper Award | Emma van Reekum, HRM MSc Student

Topic: Brain health outcomes of bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Research Paper Award in Health Equity | Maya Rajasingham, MPH Student

Topic: Racial/ethnic disparities in obstetric anal sphincter injury in the United States, 2016-2021

Teaching Excellence Award | Cynthia Lokker, HEI Assistant Professor

Teaching Excellence Award | Sayem Borhan, HEI Assistant Professor

Mentorship & Supervision Award | Andrew Costa, HEI Associate Professor

Mentorship & Supervision Award | Kim Madden, HEI Assistant Professor