We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Awards, established in honour of CHILD-BRIGHT's first Director of the Engagement Program.
This year, we are thrilled to recognize two partners with lived and living experience (PWLEs) for their leadership in engagement in research related to brain-based developmental disabilities in children and youth:
Mohammed Merchant
Claire Dawe-McCord
Learn more about Mohammed and Claire:
Parent research partner recipient: Mohammed Merchant
A dedicated research partner and outspoken patient advocate, Mohammed first joined CHILD-BRIGHT as part of the Phase 1 research project, MATernal hyperoxygenation in Congenital Heart Disease (MATCH), which evaluated whether supplementing mothers with oxygen helps brain development in babies with congenital heart disease (CHD).
As a parent research partner, Mohammed was instrumental in developing interactive educational materials for the study and creating ways for PWLEs to connect and support one another (such as through a support group). His contributions showcase how having PWLEs on a research team can positively impact the study approach.
Mohammed’s feedback also supported the research team in the development of its Phase 2 study, Care Pathways for the Developmental Follow-up of Children with CHD.
Mohammed stands out as a leader in patient-oriented research forums, regularly speaking at conferences and engaging with patient support groups. His passion for improving health care outcomes is evident in his work, and we are pleased to be able to recognize his contributions in this way.
Youth research partner recipient: Claire Dawe-McCord
Claire’s patient-oriented research journey began at age 13, when she took part in the CHEO Youth Forum. She became a champion for youth engagement in health care research and went on to co-chair the development of Kids Come First, Ontario's only pediatric Ontario Health Team. Claire has contributed her perspective to the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care in Ontario, the CHEO Research Institute’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee, and CanChild.
As a youth research partner with CHILD-BRIGHT's READYorNot™ Brain-Based Disabilities Project, she helped the team develop and study an e-health app to help youth and families take charge of the transition from pediatric to adult health care. Her undergraduate thesis also explored this transition.
As a current member of the network’s National Youth Advocacy Council, Claire consults with childhood disability research projects to optimize their youth engagement activities.
Now a medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Claire continues to mentor youth who are new to patient-oriented research. We are pleased to recognize her leadership in patient-centered approaches to research and health care delivery.
Mohammed will receive a registration and travel allowance of up to $800 for a conference of his choice in Canada or the United States. As the youth recipient, Claire will receive up to $800 to either attend a patient-oriented research training event, or to support a patient-oriented research project of her choice.
Congratulations, Mohammed and Claire!