Health researchers unite at 11th Making a Difference Showcase

Amanda Mihalus says she was surprised at the sheer number of people taking part in Friday’s 11th annual Making a Difference: 2016 Showcase of Health Research.

Mihalus, a fourth-year social work student at Lakehead University is doing a placement at the Centre for Edcuation and Research on Aging and Health.

“I think this is incredible to have an event like this because it helps different professionals network together. It also creates inspiration. It shows innovation within our community and the district, on what people are thinking about and how they are conducting their research and sharing this information with the community,” she said.

Despite the somewhat cerebral topic she was presenting to the crowd of about 150 gathered at the Best Western Nor’Wester Hotel, Mihalus said looking around the room there were some pretty impressive topics being covered.

“A lot of it’s way over my head,” she said, laughing.

“But the innovation here is incredible and I love being around people like this and getting energy from them and their willingness to want to create change within the community is immense.”

First held in 2006, the annual event is a chance for researchers to learn about other research going on relevant to Northwestern Ontario, discuss how to combine research with clinical practices and, as Mihalus said, network and develop research partnerships.

Michel Bedard, the scientific director at St. Joseph’s Care Group, the organization hosting the showcase, said in such an isolated region, it’s especially important for researchers to connect.

“I think it’s the new way of doing research,” he said. “Research is not complete until we disseminate it and make sure there’s some form of uptake. We don’t just to do research and have it published in a scientific journal or have a report sitting on a shelf.

“We want to make sure if it’s good work and we can improve the health care system, then eventually it’s disseminated.”

He pointed to one project in particular, a study on the detection of early psychosis in youngsters living in remote First Nation communities.

“When you live in more remote, rural areas, there are tremendous needs that we don’t exactly know how to address,” Berard said. 

St. Joseph’s Care Group CEO Tracy Buckler said fostering the research community benefits everyone in the health-care profession.

“Supporting and sharing research through this event creates opportunities for learning and collaboration,” Buckler said in a release. “I am pleased that so many leaders in health care research have participated today to discuss and share their work with professionals from the region.”