Postdocs in the Spotlight: Sam

Welcome to our new blog series highlighting the work of our Azrieli CHILD-BRIGHT postdoctoral fellows!

Within the various research projects underway at the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, postdoctoral fellows play a crucial role. This year, thanks to the generous contribution of the Azrieli Foundation, we’re delighted to welcome a new cohort of up-and-coming scientists who are passionate about patient-oriented research (POR) and its incredible potential in the study of pediatric brain-based developmental disabilities. In the next few weeks, we’ll be showcasing each of our postdocs and the pivotal work they’re doing at CHILD-BRIGHT, across Canada. 

CHILD-BRIGHT COACHING project

Sam Noyek (she/her)

Postdoctoral fellow | Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba 

Sam is delighted to be joining the CHILD-BRIGHT Coaching project, supervised by co-principal investigator (PI) Kristy Wittmeier. 

CHILD-BRIGHT Coaching is the second half of a two-part project. In Phase 1, co-PIs Annette Majnemer and Maureen O'Donnell and the BRIGHT Coaching research team partnered with Canadian health care providers and caregivers to develop an innovative virtual coaching program for parents of preschool children with emerging developmental delays. The goal was to empower families and provide caregivers with the skills needed to optimally support their child while waiting for a diagnosis or interventions. Now in Phase 2, the CHILD-BRIGHT Coaching team is studying how this program can be successfully implemented in four provinces.

“My research has always involved patient-oriented approaches,” says Sam. On this project, her responsibilities are wide-ranging. In addition to being involved in the writing of research manuscripts, she’s facilitating discussion groups on how the evidence generated in Phase 1 can be used in real-world settings—an essential part of this implementation science-focused Phase 2 project. She’s also looking into potential barriers and facilitators to implementation and building relationships with Indigenous partners to explore the cultural safety and appropriateness of the virtual coaching program.

“I believe that conducting research alongside persons with lived experience makes research all-around better and more meaningful!”
— Sam

As a qualitative researcher (i.e., a researcher who studies people’s behaviour and perceptions), Sam is passionate about understanding the lived experiences of often overlooked groups, specifically within the health care system. She believes that approaching patient experiences from a holistic perspective is necessary to make real, systemic changes.

“This fellowship is allowing me to gain a deep understanding of implementation science approaches, and how best to apply them,” says Sam. She’s also happy to have the opportunity to work alongside Indigenous partners. “I’m developing a better understanding of non-Western ideologies, and that’s definitely going to influence how I conduct patient-oriented research going forward!” 

Postdocs in the Spotlight: Angie

Welcome to our new blog series highlighting the work of the Azrieli CHILD-BRIGHT postdoctoral fellows!

Within the various research projects underway at the CHILD-BRIGHT Network, postdoctoral fellows play a crucial role. This year, thanks to the generous contribution of the Azrieli Foundation, we’re delighted to welcome a new cohort of up-and-coming scientists who are passionate about patient-oriented research (POR) and its incredible potential in the study of pediatric brain-based developmental disabilities. In the next few weeks, we’ll be showcasing each of our postdocs and the pivotal work they’re doing at CHILD-BRIGHT, across Canada. 

CHILD-BRIGHT ADAPT project

Angie Lim (she/her)

Clinical Nurse Specialist - Interprofessional Practice (CNS-IP)

Adjunct Lecturer | Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

Research associate & postdoctoral fellow | Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children 

Based in Toronto, Angie is joining CHILD-BRIGHT ADAPT: Assessing and Developing an Adapted navigator role to support Parents during neonatal Transition – the second half of a two-phase project. 

In Phase 1, the research team piloted a new type of care for families transitioning home with their baby from the neonatal intensive care unit. Specifically, they assigned families a point person (“navigator”) who focused on three components of support: 1) care coordination, 2) parent education and empowerment, and 3) mindfulness using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework. 

Now, in Phase 2, the team is studying how to implement the effective components of this intervention across Canada, in preparation for wide-spread implementation. 

Angie’s role as a postdoctoral fellow is central and multifaceted. Under the supervision of the project’s co-principal investigator (PI), Julia Orkin, she is fine-tuning the team’s research protocols to make sure they meet their project goals, as well as leading project management, overseeing the study’s progress, and ensuring that milestones are met on time. She is also using Knowledge Mobilization strategies to ensure that results are communicated in a way that’s accessible to a wide, diverse audience. 

“I was drawn to patient-oriented research because I believe that our health care system should evolve based on patient needs and real-world effectiveness.”
— Angie

As a researcher and registered nurse, Angie has a comprehensive understanding of how POR can lead to interventions that are more likely to be accepted and adopted in practice, ultimately boosting patient engagement and improving health outcomes.  

“By incorporating the patient’s perspective, we can design and implement research that’s more aligned with the experiences of those it aims to benefit,” says Angie. 

When asked how she thinks this fellowship will impact her future, Angie is enthusiastic. “This fellowship is a cornerstone in my career. It’s an incredible introduction to the field of Implementation Science, which is essential for bringing research to the bedside.”  

Angie is certain that this interdisciplinary and collaborative fellowship will not only broaden her professional network, but also open doors to future research partnerships. “I’m gaining such invaluable skills and experience,” she adds. “Everything I’m learning will help me conduct more impactful research and communicate findings more effectively for diverse audiences.”   

Ultimately, Angie believes that this fellowship will lay a strong foundation for her future as a researcher and clinician. 

Carrie Costello receives the 2023 Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Award

In June 2023, one of our dearly valued network members, Carrie Costello, was selected as the recipient of our Frank Gavin Patient Engagement Leadership Award. Established in honour of CHILD-BRIGHT's first Director of the Citizen Engagement Program, the award recognizes patient engagement leaders in research related to children and youth with brain-based developmental disabilities. 

About Carrie

Carrie holds her trophy between Frank Gavin and Sharon McCarry

Frank Gavin (left), Carrie Costello (centre), and Sharon McCarry (right).

As we considered candidates for the Frank Gavin award, Carrie repeatedly stood out for her unrivalled passion, tireless advocacy work, and seemingly limitless energy. “It is indeed rare that a person assumes a role that is immediately recognizable as a role they were born to do,” wrote one enthusiastic individual in their letter of support. “Carrie is one of these people.” 

In their statements, Carrie’s nominators described her as someone with natural intuition and compassion, and an inspiring ability to connect with diverse audiences within the health care and education systems. 

Like many of the network’s lived experience partners, Carrie had no formal background in research when she joined the CHILD-BRIGHT family. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, she became an award-winning playwright for young audiences, a skilled puppeteer, and a sought-after educator. Carrie also became a proud mother of three. In 2016, it was pure chance that led her to CHILD-BRIGHT: “One of the network’s research teams put out a call for parents with lived experience,” says Carrie, whose middle daughter has an intellectual disability and a seizure disorder. “The project looked really interesting, and so I answered it!” 

Carrie, based in Manitoba, joined the Parent Advisory Committee for the BRIGHT Coaching study, which created and tested a coaching program for families of preschoolers with suspected developmental delays in four provinces. Carrie had a strong voice from the start, and her valuable insights and contributions shaped the program’s content and materials. “The move to support families in a research setting didn’t feel strange at all,” recalls Carrie. “And I love to continually learn. Similar to theatre, each new project brings me new opportunities to learn and meet new people.”

In 2019, Carrie became CHILD-BRIGHT's Parent Liaison, working directly with other parents of children with brain-based developmental disabilities involved in different research projects and committees, and acting as their link to the CHILD-BRIGHT Citizen Engagement Council. When the BRIGHT Coaching project transitioned to its second phase, Carrie was invited to be one of the six co-principal investigators (co-PIs)—a move that testifies to her growing expertise and influence in the brain-based developmental disability community. 

A natural leader

Carrie and her daughter.

When asked what winning the Frank Gavin award meant to her, Carrie is candid. “Honestly, this award came at a moment I really needed it. I was losing hope that the work I was doing made any difference. Receiving this recognition from so many people I value and respect is a great honour.” 

Since 2019, Carrie has supported the patient-oriented research work of 12 CHILD-BRIGHT Phase 1 research projects and continues to offer support in Phase 2. She’s also serving as the Vice-Chair of the CHILD-BRIGHT Citizen Engagement Council, welcoming new members of the brain-based disability community to the network. What’s more, she publishes widely in academic journals and the lay press. “Although she has been formally involved in research only since spring 2021, her list of accomplishments demonstrates a lifetime commitment to patient engagement,” wrote one of Carrie’s award nominators. 

All who have met and had the pleasure of working with Carrie agree that her impact on the patient-oriented research community has, and continues to be, profound. She is a natural leader, teacher, advocate, and collaborator. We can think of no person more deserving of this award. On behalf of everyone at CHILD-BRIGHT, we’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Carrie! We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate your many achievements.

In 2024, we will be widening the scope of the Frank Gavin award: Eligible CHILD-BRIGHT candidates will include adults as well as youth with lived experience involved in brain-based developmental disability research. Look out for our call for nominations in the new year! 

Azrieli CHILD-BRIGHT Fellowship Program - Fourth Call

In collaboration with the Azrieli Foundation, CHILD-BRIGHT is launching a fourth call for postdoctoral researchers to work on our implementation science research projects in support of children with brain-based developmental disabilities. 

We are looking to fill three new positions for the following network teams:

Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2023.

Don’t hesitate to contact pierre.zwiegers@child-bright.ca if you have any questions. We would also appreciate if you could share this opportunity within your networks to help us find our ideal candidates.

Thank you!

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network

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.

[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

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The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Initiative.

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