Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
200-1285 West Broadway V6H 3X8 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Dr. Kelli Stajduhar , six-time MSFHR award recipient is putting the care back into palliative care and policy for people with complex, terminal illnesses. Her research applies an equity lens to provide and improve end-of-life care in multiple settings, including long-term care clients and hard-to-reach, homeless populations. My work has always been rooted in a commonsensical way of coming together to treat people who are most vulnerable, in ways that are loving and respe...ctful and that show them we care. What is the ‘care’ in health care if we don’t show people we care? says Dr. Stajduhar. In the years since her first MSFHR award in 2001, Dr. Stajduhar has volunteered her time as a chair on MSFHR peer review panels where she takes care to acknowledge the many roles that women researchers, in particular, play in their own lives and in society. www.msfhr20.org #MSFHR20 #health #healthresearch #research #funding #healthpolicy #science #palliativecare #endoflifecare #womeninresearch #womeninSTEM #womeninscience #equityanddiversity #EDI University of Victoria

When Dr. Connie Eaves began her career in Canada in the late 1960s, women in health research were few and far between. But she didn’t flinch. Instead, she encouraged other talented women to pursue their dreams and find the balance they want for themselves. During a multi-decade accomplished career, Dr. Eaves has played a significant role in putting BC on the map for top cancer treatment breakthroughs. To this day, she continues to advance cancer research and take the time t...o have academic family conversations with young women trainees. Learn more about her inspiring contributions to the scientific world and her tireless commitment to women in research: www.msfhr20.org #MSFHR20 #health #healthresearch #research #funding #healthinnovation #innovation #science #discovery #medicine #publichealth #cancer #cancerresearch #womeninresearch #womeninscience #canadianmedicalhalloffame #mentoring

New story! With funding from MSFHR and our partner Plantiga, Dr. Christopher Napier is helping runners improve technique and prevent injury by monitoring biomechanics outside of the lab, which is made possible by innovative AI-powered wearable technology. Read the story: https://bit.ly/3aPqYpe

In 2003, BC health researchers made history! After six days and six sleepless nights, Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre was first to sequence the SARS genome. A process that previously took years had taken place in just six days. Dr. Marco Marra and Dr. Brett Finlay recount that milestone event, which to date continues to inform global health research on viruses. While Dr. Finlay lauds BC for quickly figuring out our response to SARS, Dr. Marra points out the i...mportance of supporting the right people to move science forward. Both credit partnerships and funding for putting Canada on the world map for health research innovation. www.msfhr20.org #MSFHR20 University of British Columbia UBC Faculty of Medicine Michael Smith Laboratories Genome Sciences Centre

GUIDELINES AVAILABLE: The 2021 Health Professional-Investigator competition guidelines are now online! This program provides funding for health professionals who are actively involved in patient care to conduct and apply research relevant to health and/or the health system. We are supporting BC’s physicians and allied health professionals to improve patient care, leading to better health outcomes. Guidelines here: https://bit.ly/3n6tdtg #healthresearch #healthprofessionals #alliedhealth #patientcare

When Aubrey Tingle was in the 7th grade in Edmonton, Alberta, he wrote an essay on how to remove one’s own appendix. It predicted a celebrated career in health research. Dr. Tingle’s natural curiosity as a child drew him to a career in medicine and he went on to establish some of Canada’s most well-known research networks and foundations, including MSFHR. In 2014, Dr. Tingle received the Order of British Columbia for his role in transforming the landscape of health research ...in the province. More on Dr. Tingle, his legacy, and the birth of MSFHR: www.msfhr20.org #MSFHR20 #health #healthresearch #research #funding #healthinnovation #innovation #science #discovery #medicine #publichealth #leadership

At home, BC’s first Nobel Prize recipient was just ‘Dad’ who mowed the lawn on Sundays and shared his love for BC’s great outdoors with his three children. During his illustrious career of more than four decades, Dr. Michael Smith dedicated his life and career to improving the landscape of health research in the province he loved. Today, we think he would be proud that BC is a world-class health research centre that nurtures new researchers whose work improves people’s lives ...in Canada and beyond. Here’s a glimpse into his inspiring life: www.msfhr20.org #MSFHR20 #health #healthresearch #research #funding #healthinnovation #innovation #science #discovery #medicine #publichealth #NobelPrize

On the occasion of MSFHR’s 20th anniversary, President & CEO Dr. Bev Holmes notes we are active participants in an exciting trend among funders: moving away from fund and forget to using our expertise at program, organizational and system levels to both respond to and influence the environment that determines the impact of research. This work requires listening, reflecting, monitoring, adapting, learning, challenging assumptions, and asking difficult questions. www.msfhr20.org #MSFHR20 #health #healthresearch #research #funding #healthinnovation #innovation #science #discovery #leadership

To mark MSFHR’s 20th anniversary, our Board Chair Dr. Elinor Wilson notes how we have supported health researchers whose work provides evidence for informed policies, practices, and medical advancements that improve the health of British Columbians. Check out her message as she reflects on the journey the organization has taken over the past 20 years and how we will continue to support BC’s health research system! www.msfhr20.org ... #MSFHR20 #health #healthresearch #research #funding #healthinnovation #innovation #science #discovery #leadership

MSFHR’s 20th anniversary is here! This milestone provides an opportunity to highlight the researchers and teams we’ve supported since 2001 and to envision a future where health research supported by funders like MSFHR plays an even stronger role in improving health and care in BC. Follow our journey: www.msfhr20.org ... #MSFHR20 #healthresearch #healthcare #healthinnovation

To date, four #COVID19 vaccines have been approved for use in Canada and priority populations are already receiving their vaccinations. However, critical questions remain around the vaccine that need evidence-based answers from BC researchers. That’s why MSFHR, GenomeBC and the BCCDC Foundation for Public Health have partnered to invite Expressions of Interest to rapidly address COVID-19 vaccine questions for British Columbians. The deadline for researchers to submit EOIs is March 25. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2OH2shM

Did you know that 30% of BC women experience sexual disfunction but most won't seek treatment due to stigma or lack of access? In honour of #internationalwomensday we're featuring the work of 4x MSFHR award recipient Dr. Lori Brotto, who is making evidence-based sex therapy more accessible to BC women through a smartphone app: https://bit.ly/38fa2ay #IWD #IWD21... University of British Columbia Women's Health Research Institute See more

RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED: Introducing the 2020 Convening & Collaborating and Reach awardees, who are co-creating and disseminating research evidence to increase its impact on #healthcare in BC: https://bit.ly/3qVIEpn

In research, you really have to love and be committed to your work because things have more of a chance of going wrong than right. But when things go right, there is nothing more exciting. On the anniversary of Dr. Michael Smith’s Nobel Prize, we reflect on his legacy and lasting impact on our health research system as BC’s first Nobel Laureate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AznzHqwIa7U

DYK that 50% of Canadians report worsened #mentalhealth since the #COVID19 pandemic began? We are proud to co-fund two BC researchers with Canadian Institutes of Health Research on the COVID-19 Mental Health & Substance Use Operating Grant: Dr. Brianna Turner of University of Victoria and Dr. Kanna Hayashi of Simon Fraser University. Dr. Turner's study will investigate mental health impacts of COVID-19 responses to inform evidence-based policy that can mitigate suicide risk and Dr. Hayashi will examine the reach and impacts of opioid therapies during the pandemic to inform intervention delivery and effectiveness. https://bit.ly/3dfyj1f #worldmentalhealthday

#COVID19 UPDATE: During our recent extensive outreach, we learned that health researchers need additional resources to help them continue to conduct world-class research during these times of unprecedented change. To support MSFHR-funded researchers whose work has been disrupted or changed due to the #COVID19 pandemic, we set up a Research Continuity Fund that provides up to 6 months' salary support for researchers who do not have support after their award ends. We are continuing to work hard to provide programs and activities to retain and support BC’s talent base and provide funding stability and continuity for BC researchers at this time. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2GLPag7

In a candid interview, 2020 Aubrey J. Tingle Prize recipient Dr. Poul Sorensen reflects on his career as an internationally-recognized pediatric cancer researcher, emphasizes the power of mentorship, and offers a piece of advice to the next generation of researchers: "Keep your humanity and don’t forget to have a sense of humour in all this." Read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3hHDB6z

From artificial intelligence in breast cancer screening to mental health in immigrant and refugee children, the 2020 MSFHR Scholar & Research Trainee award recipients are advancing #science, addressing health priorities, and improving the health of British Columbians. Congratulations to the 63 newest #MSFHRCommunity members! https://bit.ly/35jJa8P

Our latest issue of Connections is out! Learn more about: Our new partnership with Victoria Hospitals Foundation on funding research to detect future COVID-19 outbreaks on Vancouver Island. The upcoming BC #COVID19 Collaboration & Research Symposium, Sept 1-2, 2020. Hear from MSFHR CEO Bev Holmes and VPR Chonnettia Jones at this symposium with BC Academic Health Science Network, the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, the School of Population and Public... Health at University of British Columbia. Funding available through MSFHR’s C2 and Reach competitions. If you're a researcher looking to improve health care using health research knowledge, apply now! Deadline is Sept 28, 2020. https://bit.ly/3gh7slk