2025 Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Awards

Submit your nominations!

Open to members and non-members of CHILD-BRIGHT 

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is proud to launch the fourth iteration of the Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Awards, which recognize the exceptional leadership of partners with lived and living experience (PWLEs) in Canadian pediatric brain-based disability research.

Established in 2021, the awards were named in honour of Frank Gavin, our former Director of Engagement, for his vital contributions to the network’s impressive growth as an entity of the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR).

In this fourth iteration, we will be granting a Frank Gavin award to two PWLEs: 1) a youth or former pediatric patient with lived and living experience of a brain-based developmental disability and 2) a parent, caregiver, or family member of a child with lived and living experience of a brain-based developmental disability.

Do you know a PWLE with considerable experience participating in patient-oriented research and a proven track record of research engagement leadership? Would you like to put your own name forward? We’re accepting nominations as of today!  

Nominations are due by March 21, 2025

Visit the competition page for all the details, including the eligibility requirements and application guidelines. Note that members as well as non-members of the CHILD-BRIGHT Network are eligible for these awards.

Good luck!

The 2024 Training Innovation Fund: Call for applications

Now accepting applications!

 The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is proud to launch its 2024 Training Innovation Fund (TIF)! 
 
The 2024 TIF competition will provide a maximum of $10,000 to up to four creative and innovative training initiatives that complement patient-oriented research (POR) activities in implementation science and knowledge mobilization. These initiatives must support POR related to childhood brain-based developmental disabilities and actively integrate the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and Indigenization

Click below to visit the competition page and review the full details, eligibility requirements, and application procedure.

Apply by August 31, 2024. Good luck!

Meet our previous winners:

• 2022 Training Innovation Fund

• 2018 Training Innovation Fund

2024 Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Awards

Now Accepting Applications!

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is proud to launch the third iteration of the Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Award, which recognizes exceptional patient engagement leadership in pediatric brain-based disability research. Established in 2021, the award was named in honour of Frank Gavin, our former Director of Citizen Engagement, for his vital contributions to the network’s impressive growth as a SPOR entity. 

This year, we are pleased to announce that we will be granting a Frank Gavin award to not one, but two patient-partners: a parent, caregiver, or family member with lived experience, as well as a youth or former pediatric patient with lived experience. 
 
Do you know a patient-partner with considerable experience participating in patient-oriented research activities, and with proven leadership in patient engagement? Would you like to put your own name forward? We’re accepting nominations as of today!

Nominations are due by March 28, 2024

Visit the competition page for all the details, including the eligibility requirements and application guidelines. Good luck! 

Pioneering Inclusive Patient-Oriented Research: Indigenous Knowledge and the Etiology of Community-Based Healthcare Approaches

Thanks in part to the work that we do at the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, patient-oriented research has been growing as a groundbreaking paradigm in healthcare in Canada that emphasizes active involvement and collaboration with people with lived experience and their communities in all aspects of the research process. This approach recognizes the unique value of lived experiences and local insights in shaping effective healthcare solutions. While patient-oriented research has gained prominence in recent years, it's important to acknowledge that Indigenous Knowledge and practices have long been pioneering the principles that underpin community-based healthcare approaches. Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in patient-oriented research enhances the value of cultural diversity, fosters community engagement, and results in healthcare approaches that are effective as well as culturally sensitive.

The synergy between Indigenous Knowledge and patient-oriented research

Indigenous communities across Canada possess a rich tapestry of knowledge and practices that have been nurturing community well-being for centuries. Rooted in the interconnectedness of all aspects of health—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—Indigenous Knowledge offers profound insights into holistic healthcare.

Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in patient-oriented research offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between Western medical practices and Indigenous healthcare traditions. It acknowledges that healthcare solutions are most effective when they are rooted in cultural context and community needs. By drawing on the strengths of both worlds, healthcare researchers can develop interventions that are not only clinically sound but also respectful of cultural diversity and community values.

Key contributions of Indigenous Knowledge to patient-oriented research 

Holistic health perspective: Indigenous communities often view health holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This holistic approach emphasizes the importance of addressing all these aspects for child development and wellness. For instance, it ensures that children are supported in all dimensions of their health[1].

Community-centered care: Indigenous communities value community-based care and support networks. In patient-oriented research, involving the community in decision-making and research co-design can lead to more relevant and effective interventions. For example, the Mohawk Nation's approach to child development often involves Elders and community members in decision-making, ensuring cultural relevance and community engagement[2]. In patient-oriented research, involving the community in decision-making and research design can lead to more relevant and effective interventions.

Land-based healing: Many Indigenous cultures hold the belief in the healing potential of the land, where land-based activities like hunting, fishing, and traditional food practices can be integrated into healthcare strategies aimed at enhancing child development and overall well-being. An illustrative example of this practice is found in the Inuit community of Nunavut, which incorporates traditional land-based activities into child development programs, notably the Makimautiksat Youth Camp. This program adopts a holistic approach to youth wellness, drawing upon Inuit wisdom and traditions encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, and supplements these elements with land-based components guided by Elders and knowledge keepers[3]. Through this comprehensive approach, this fosters cultural heritage with contemporary research[4].

Cultural safety, sensitivity, and humility: Cultural safety in healthcare involves providing care that respects and acknowledges the cultural beliefs and practices of Indigenous people. This approach can help reduce healthcare disparities and improve healthcare outcomes. The Anishinaabe Nation in Ontario places a strong emphasis on cultural humility in healthcare, ensuring that providers continuously learn from and respect the cultural diversity of their patients[5][6]. Patient-oriented research recognizes these principles as essential for reducing healthcare disparities and improving patient outcomes.

As we move forward in our healthcare journey, embracing patient-oriented research as a transformative approach, let's also honour the pioneering contributions of Indigenous Knowledge. By uniting the strengths of both Indigenous wisdom and patient-oriented research, we can build a healthcare system that not only prioritizes clinical excellence but also celebrates cultural diversity, community values, and the power of lived experiences. The synergy between Indigenous Knowledge and POR is a testament to the potential for collaboration and innovation in creating a healthier, more inclusive future for all.

Want to learn more about our work in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization (EDI-DI)? Read our EDI-DI framework here.

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[1] https://www.mcgill.ca/tcpsych/files/tcpsych/Report8.pdf Oblin, C. (1997). (rep.). Widening the Circle: Collaborative Research for Mental Health Promotion in Native Communities (Vol. C, p. 32). Montreal, QC: McGill University.

[2] Viscogliosi C, Asselin H, Basile S, Borwick K, Couturier Y, Drolet MJ, Gagnon D, Obradovic N, Torrie J, Zhou D, Levasseur M. Importance of Indigenous elders' contributions to individual and community wellness: results from a scoping review on social participation and intergenerational solidarity. Can J Public Health. 2020 Oct;111(5):667-681. doi: 10.17269/s41997-019-00292-3. Epub 2020 Feb 27. PMID: 32109314; PMCID: PMC7501322.

[3] Indigenous Land-Based Healing Programs in Canada - nwtspor.ca. Hotıì ts’eeda Northwest Territories SPOR Support Unit. (2019, November 6). https://nwtspor.ca/sites/default/files/2019-11-06_ht_lit_review_indigenous_land-based_healing_final.pdf

[4]  Shirley Tagalik, S. (2012, January). Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: The role of Indigenous knowledge in supporting ... he National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health . https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/health/FS-InuitQaujimajatuqangitWellnessNunavut-Tagalik-EN.pdf

[5] FNHA Policy Statement: Cultural Safety and Humility." First Nations Health Authority, www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-Policy-Statement-Cultural-Safety-and-Humility.pdf

[6] Indigenous History and Health Systems Transformation Booklet." Indigenous Primary Health Care Council, iphcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Indigenous-HST_Booklet.pdf

Join Us as an Indigenous Co-Lead for Equity and Inclusion at CHILD-BRIGHT!

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is searching for an Indigenous Co-Lead to collaborate with Dr. Nomazulu Dlamini, Program Lead of our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization & Indigenization (EDI-DI) Program. If you are a Canadian academic leader with a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in children's health, and if you share our vision of inclusive research environments, we encourage you to take part in co-steering the efforts of the CHILD-BRIGHT EDI-DI Program from 2023 to 2026.  

About CHILD-BRIGHT

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is a pan-Canadian patient-oriented research network based at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Created in 2016, it works to create brighter futures for children and youth with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and 15 funding partners across the country, our national network includes 350 researchers, clinicians, decision-makers, youth, and parents.

CHILD-BRIGHT’s extensive research program was developed based on research priorities identified by youth, parents, and other knowledge users such as frontline clinicians and health care administrators. From 2016 to 2022, CHILD-BRIGHT carried out 13 multi-centre projects focusing on three themes: early intervention to promote brain and child development; strategies to support the mental health of children and families; and service delivery redesign to address gaps in service. From 2022 to 2026, CHILD-BRIGHT is moving its patient-oriented research into action through insight and methods grounded in implementation science and knowledge mobilization, and by embedding the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and Indigenization.  

Position Overview: Indigenous Co-Lead for the EDI-DI Program  

We are seeking an exceptional individual to work alongside Dr. Nomazulu Dlamini, Program Lead of our EDI-DI Program, to co-steer the efforts of the CHILD-BRIGHT EDI-DI Program. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring that the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and Indigenization are authentically embedded across all aspects of CHILD-BRIGHT's work, making a lasting impact on childhood disability research.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Dr. Dlamini to lead the EDI-DI Program and oversee its staffing and Indigenous advisory council.  

• Champion initiatives that embed EDI-DI principles in all of CHILD-BRIGHT's programs and governance structure.  

• Play a central role in advancing research excellence through health equity using an intersectional approach.  

• Ensure that all EDI-DI activities align with CHILD-BRIGHT's EDI-DI framework.  

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, with expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion.  

• A passion for promoting equity and inclusion in children's health.  

• Proven leadership skills and experience in driving meaningful change.  

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively.  

• An understanding of children with brain-based developmental disabilities and its intersection with equity.  

How to Apply

We invite Indigenous candidates with a deep commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, and inclusion to apply. Join us in co-steering the efforts of the CHILD-BRIGHT EDI-DI Program, making a significant impact on childhood disability research and patient-oriented research. Please send your application by September 15, 2023 to edi-di@child-bright.ca and be a driving force for positive change in children's lives.   

Note: Accommodations are available upon request for all candidates participating in the selection process.  

Join us in creating brighter futures for children and youth with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families