A Message from the Director of Research
It has been a busy time recently but in a very rewarding sense. Hosting the 3rd StaR Child Health Summit brought over a hundred clinical researchers, methodologists, parents, and children with serious diseases to discuss the key issue of how do we generate high quality clinical research so that we can advance knowledge and improve our care of these children. Dr. Virginia Moyer, Deputy Editor, Pediatrics announced that her journal will be publishing the first six standards that this group has produced in the June online issue. This is another important milestone for this group.
On the hosting theme, along with the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, we hosted the annual national Pediatric Resident Research Competition. Trainees from across Canada came to Winnipeg to present their research. Dr. Greg Harvey, McMaster University, won the Resident category. Dr. Holly Agostino, from McGIll University won the Fellow category.
We also received many high quality operating grants and so the IRC had a tough job led by Leo Wong and supported by Grant Hatch. But I trust their judgement and while some very good research was not funded, it is real testament to our high quality environment and the great researchers associated with MICH. Another very important program also started this month as our undergraduate students arrived and will be working with mentors to participate in the research process. They represent the future of our research enterprise.
We continue to grow and are very excited to have Dr. Christine Robson-Doucette join us in the summer from the University of Toronto within our DREAM theme. Her academic home will be the Department of Physiology. Dr. Kelly Russell has also agreed to join us, with her PhD in epidemiology and just completed a PDF in a leading concussion research group in Toronto. Her research, in collaboration with the Pan Am Clinic will focus on injury control. She will also be part of our Methods Center in the support unit that is being developed to assist young researchers and trainees in the methodology of studies.
Please take time to enjoy the Winnipeg summer, reflect on the good things in life and spend time with those you love.
Dr. Terry Klassen
