The Daniel J. Patterson Campus was buzzing with scientific inquiry on May 7 as Niagara College welcomed clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across the Golden Horseshoe for the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute’s (NHKI) sixth annual Research Day.
Marking the third consecutive year NC has hosted the prestigious event, this year’s gathering focused on the theme: “Building Research Capacity in Community Hospitals by Strengthening Collaboration, Expanding Education, and Deepening Engagement with the Communities They Serve.”
The proceedings commenced with a warm welcome from NC’s Vice-President Academic, Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie.
“Our role today goes beyond providing a venue; it is rooted in a deep strategic partnership,” said Lim-Lambie. “At Niagara College, we view our relationship with Niagara Health as foundational to the educational experience of our students within the Myhal School of Nursing and School of Allied Health, and vital to the health and prosperity of our region.”
Dr. Jennifer Tsang, Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the NHKI, also addressed the crowd, applauding the synergy between the two institutions.
“Niagara Health values our longstanding partnership with Niagara College, and we remain steadfast in our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community,” said Tsang. “We’re grateful for their collaboration and generosity in helping to bring this year’s annual Research Day to life. The quality of the poster presentations, both from researchers at Niagara College and beyond, makes me so excited about the work underway in improving patient outcomes and the patient experience.
“Days like today serve as a reminder in the power of bringing together diverse experiences and ideas to strengthen research in community healthcare settings.”
The agenda featured workshops, networking sessions, award presentations, and a keynote panel.
Keynote panel: Strategies for community research
NC Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Sinead McElhone joined a distinguished keynote panel to explore innovative strategies for enhancing research capabilities in community healthcare. The discussion centered on how fostering partnerships between hospitals, academic institutions, and community organizations can lead to more robust and impactful clinical outcomes.
The panel featured a diverse range of expertise, including Dr. Jennie Johnstone (Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, Sinai Health; Associate Professor, University of Toronto), Denise Kennedy (Patient Partner, Niagara Health Engagement Network), Carley McPherson (Director of Research, Lakeridge Health), and Dr. Christopher Yarnell (Intensivist and Researcher, Scarborough Health Network; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto).
McElhone also co-authored a study featured in one of the research poster presentations, “Co-Developing Canadian Hospital Research Tracking Criteria.”
NC studies in the spotlight
The afternoon poster sessions highlighted several home-grown NC initiatives.
Nursing students take the lead
Health Sciences Dean Dr. Sinead McElhone (right) joins nursing students ready to present on NHKI Research Day including (from left) Ryan McNally (U of T) and NC BScN students Isabelle Klapatiuk, Christian Baltus and Brayden Robichaud.
A group from the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, guided by Dr. Holldrid Odreman, presented a study titled: “How Escape Room Features Shape Interprofessional Collaboration Competencies in Mixed BScN-PN-PSW-Paramedic Student Teams.”
The research evaluates how escape room-based simulations–utilizing puzzle complexity and role-based tasks–compare to traditional classrooms in developing leadership skills. The findings were presented by student members of Odreman’s Nursing Scholarship and Education Team (ONSET), including Isabelle Klapatiuk and Brayden Robichaud, alongside colleagues Christian Baltus and U of T master’s student Ryan McNally.
“Having the opportunity to present our Escape Room pilot study poster alongside Brayden during the poster crawl was a highlight. It was meaningful to share our work and engage with others who were genuinely curious about it. Seeing the research being done within the Niagara Region across other teams was inspiring,” said Klapatiuk. “The keynote speakers and panel discussion reinforced just how far research can take you and the real impact it has on healthcare and the broader community. It was a privilege to be among people who share that same commitment to advancing the profession.”
“Participating in NHKI research day was a huge privilege to attend, and not something ‘past me’ would’ve thought I’d be attending,” said Robichaud. “It showed me just how important it is to be involved with research, either as a presenter or a learner, there was so much value seeing so many intriguing and exceptional studies.”
Baltus emphasized the broader impact of their work.
“Being part of the NHKI Research Day is truly an honour. It provides our team with the opportunity to share our work with local researchers and healthcare professionals while contributing to important conversations surrounding healthcare education and innovation,” said Baltus. “It allows us to demonstrate that the efforts being made at the healthcare system level are also being reflected within education through the development of future healthcare leaders.
“It is also an incredibly inspiring event, as you are surrounded by individuals who share the same commitment to improving healthcare and challenging the status quo rather than simply accepting it.”
View: Nursing a new era of research
Zooming in on senior care
Staff from NC’s Healthy Aging and Wellness Innovation Centre (HAWIC) shared insights from two distinct studies.
HAWIC Acting Manager Rachel Brown and Health Sciences Dean Sinead McElhone stand with HAWIC Research Associate Matthew Bosnich, before he presents a driving simulator study at NHKI Research Day.
“From Supporting Driving Decisions in Memory Clinic: Phase 1 Feasibility and Acceptability of a Driving Simulator” investigated the feasibility of using a driving simulator as an alternative, and fairer assessment tool to traditional on-road means for older adults who are in the “Gray Zone”, which is a state of uncertainty regarding their driving ability after being diagnosed with a cognitive impairment. The presentation was led by HAWIC Research Associate Matthew Bosnich, a 2026 Recreation Therapy graduate.
The Schools of Allied Health and Community Services are supporting this HAWIC led project. Dean McElhone has been involved since the beginning to ensure its successful launch.
Bosnich provided an overview on the first phase of the collaborative study between NC and industry partners, including the Alzheimer Society of The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region, the Centre for Research on Safe Driving at Lakehead University, the Niagara-Ontario Health Team, the University of Waterloo, the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, and Niagara Health.
“Being involved with the driving simulator project at Niagara College has been a great opportunity for me to refine my research coordination skills. It is also a very meaningful project as our findings will hopefully lead to a more accessible and fairer assessment option
Christine Wilkinson, who led a research poster presentation on a robotic animals study, is joined by Rachel Brown, Sinead McElhone and Jackie Frail.
for older adults in the “Gray Zone” who are still safe drivers,” said Bosnich.
“I have never done a poster presentation before, so it was a great accomplishment for me to both prepare for this event and have the chance to present our learnings-to-date to the group on hand, some of whom I was able to connect with afterwards to discuss the potential for further collaboration opportunities.”
Research Lead Christine Wilkinson presented “Addressing Robotic Animal Intervention Challenges Through Training and Toolkits.” This project explores the therapeutic potential of robotic animals in long-term care, providing staff and Recreation Therapy students with the tools to better engage with seniors.
View Robotic companions, real connection: NC’s Fins, Feathers and Fur project takes flight
Related
View Niagara Health article here:
For more information, visit niagarahealth.on.ca/site/research-day.
