Health innovation grows stronger when people come together.
That was the spirit behind Partnering in Health Innovation, an event held in Victoria in June. Hosted by Island Health, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, it brought together researchers, health system leaders, partners, and community members to celebrate the power of collaboration.
The event showcased the breadth of health research happening across Vancouver Island and how partnerships are transforming ideas into action — strengthening health systems and creating better outcomes for people and communities.
Through engaging presentations and conversation, participants explored innovations across cardiology, trauma care, neurological rehabilitation, dementia, long-term care, and end-of-life care.
Since 2001, Health Research BC has invested more than $52 million into Vancouver Island through 281 grants, awards, and initiatives supporting 211 researchers and eight institutions and organizations.
“The research stories we heard demonstrate what’s possible when we invest in regional research capacity, collaboration, and innovation,” says Dr. Geoff Payne, President & CEO of Health Research BC. “We’re supporting people, ideas, and partnerships that are improving health and healthcare in communities across the Island.”
Researchers shared the following examples of impact:
- Dr. Markus Sikkel showed how data, mathematical modelling, and artificial intelligence tools can support better decisions about cardiovascular interventions to help ensure patients receive the right care, optimizing outcomes and system sustainability.
- Dr. Amy Salmon and Amanda Leddy explored what a younger group of long-term care residents with mental health and substance use challenges shared about belonging, connection, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care — and why these experiences matter for quality of life.
- Dr. Alex Henri-Bhargava highlighted how stronger connections between research and clinical care can create more opportunities for innovation and help accelerate change for people living with dementia and cognitive impairment.
- Chris Picard shared how Island Health is using routinely collected hospital data to identify trauma patients and help build a path toward the national trauma database that Canada needs.
- Dr. Paul Winston and Fraser MacRae showcased a locally developed innovation — cryoneurolysis (using extreme cold to temporarily block sensory nerves from transmitting pain signals) — which is helping to improve mobility and recovery for people living with spasticity.
- Dr. Caroline Variath explored how community-engaged approaches can better support people requesting medical assistance in dying and their families.
Building a stronger future together
The event also highlighted the partnerships that underpin this work.
“Our collaboration with Health Research BC and Victoria Hospitals Foundation has been instrumental to our efforts to build research capacity on Vancouver Island,” says Cindy Trytten, who recently retired from her role as Director, Research Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization at Island Health. “The partnership has been creating opportunities for researchers to be innovative and generate evidence to inform better ways to meet the needs of patients, communities, and the health system.”
“We’re proud to help connect the generosity of our community with research and innovation that is improving care on Vancouver Island,” says Alec McKay, Director of Development at the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. “Looking ahead, our hope is to continue strengthening partnerships across the health system, so that together, we can accelerate innovation and ensure more people can access world-class care, close to home.”
As the event wrapped up, conversations continued among researchers, health leaders, and community members — a reminder that meaningful change happens through connection, shared purpose, and partnerships that bring ideas to life.
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