2nd Annual Women's Health Research Symposium

On April 26th, the 2nd annual Women's Health Research Symposium hosted by the Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI) took place at UBC. The symposium allowed provincial leaders in women’s health to come together, share results and generate discussion to advance the health of women in BC. The focus of this year’s symposium included knowledge translation, women’s mental health and intersecting issues such as marginalization and stigma.

Madame Sophie Trudeau makes Special Guest Appearance at the Women's Health Research Symposium

Madame Sophie Trudeau kindly provided the Women’s Health Research Symposium with a video message thanking the WHRI for organizing such a successful event. Madame Trudeau discussed the positive impact on women's health the symposium has had, and the importance of discussing intersecting issues such as marginalization and stigma - key topics at this year’s symposium. Moreover, Madame Trudeau congratulated Dr. Deborah Money on her receipt of the Career Contribution to Women's Health Research Award for her outstanding research conducted with respect to women's health in the province and globally throughout her academic career. 

The Second Annual Women’s Health Research Symposium: Successful Engagement

The Second Annual Women’s Health Research Symposium that took place on April 26^th at the UBC NEST was a tremendous success, with over 150 attendees. Many of the attendees, as well as those who were unable to take part in person, engaged in the event via twitter using #WHRIsym17, which quickly became a trending hashtag after over 500 posts were generated. The social media conversation spread on twitter globally, with the hashtag extending outside of North America, reaching countries such as Norway, South Africa, Egypt and Australia. In just one year the Women’s Health Research Symposium was able to double its user engagement on twitter, with almost 150 different accounts tweeting throughout the day. We look forward to the Third Annual Women’s Health Research Symposium next Spring!

WHRI Award Announcements

The Women’s Health Research Institute is very pleased to announce that 3 outstanding researchers received prestigious awards during the Second Annual Women's Health Research Symposium.

Dr. Deborah Money has been awarded our inaugural Career Contribution to Women’s Health Research Award, read more about the award recipient here. 

Dr. Jerilynn Prior has been awarded our 2017 Knowledge Translation in Women’s Health Research Award, read more about the award recipient here.

Dr. Joseph Ting has been awarded our 2017 Early Career Investigator in Women’s Health Research Award, read more about the award recipient here.

Dr Lori Brotto trip: Island Health Authority and University of Victoria

On March 2, 2017, I had the opportunity to visit with women’s health researchers at Island Health Authority and the University of Victoria.I had an opportunity to meet with researchers, clinicians, and hospital operations managers. I learned that the South Island BC Support Unit is thriving and supporting numerous patient-oriented research projects.

I then attended a meeting with a dozen women’s health researchers at the University of Victoria. There I learned about the rich diversity of women’s health research across various university departments, with research focused on: adolescent women and media/health literacy; family violence research; rural and remote issues in women’s health; perinatal mental health; issues specific to sexual minority women; issues specific to Indigenous and immigrant women; and gender and medicalization. UVic has particular strengths in studying elderly women, and those from Indigenous backgrounds.  

Thanks,
Lori

KT Corner

The WHRI offered a one-day Scientist Knowledge Translation Training (SKTT) with KT Expert, Dr. Melanie Barwick. Dr. Barwick provided insight into KT Planning, Strategies, Implementation and Scholarship. In follow-up to the event, organizer and facilitator, Nicole Prestley, has compiled a KT Toolkit which combines SKTT workshop resources and resources frequently used by the WHRI. 

A KT Toolkit Dropbox Folder has been created in order to provide ongoing and up-to-date information to our members.  If you would like access to the WHRI KT Toolkit Dropbox Folder or information about signing out our KT Game to use with your team please email Nicole.Prestley@cw.bc.ca.

Introducing our new Co-op Communications Assistant: Rebecca Tingling

We are excited to announce Rebecca Tingling will be joining the Women's Health Research Institute for the summer as our Communications Assistant. Rebecca has just completed her 4th year pursuing a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BSc) at Simon Fraser University. After completing classes such as Mental Health & Illness, and The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Rebecca knew she had a passion for helping those suffering from chronic illnesses, and that a career relating to health is in her future. Working at the Women’s Health Research Institute as the Communications Assistant will allow Rebecca to promote events that support women’s health, which she is very passionate about. After completing an international exchange at Uppsala University in Sweden, she acquired the travel bug and is now very passionate about exploring various cultures and countries.

Please contact Rebecca at rebecca.tingling@cw.bc.ca if you are interested in working with her to promote any events this summer!