Collaborative Investment in Health Research
Through a joint investment of over $4 million, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation (JPCHF) have funded strategic projects designed to improve the health and well-being of children and youth across the province. These projects will further our understanding of how to effectively design and implement innovative and impactful programs and practices to support health in community settings such as schools and daycares as well as improve access to safe and effective health care services no matter where you live.
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SHRF and JPCHF funded 37 projects to date, a combined investment of over $4 million
Child & Youth Health Solutions Program
2025-26 Funding Recipients
Gregory Hansen, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Detecting Hidden Awareness in Children with Serious Brain Injuries Using Advanced Brain Imaging
Investment: $124,350
Project Summary >
Meghan Maiani, University of Saskatchewan
Juan Appendino, University of Saskatchewan
Improving Detection of Vision Difficulties in Children with Early Life Brain Injuries
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Ghita Wiebe, University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Adeyinka, Saskatchewan Health Authority
The Baby Bridge Project: Helping Families Access Early Support for Child Development and Well-being
Investment: $149,768
Project Summary >
Katie Crockett, University of Saskatchewan
Hailey Dunn, Virtual Health Hub
Ghita Wiebe, University of Saskatchewan
Stacey Lovo, University of Saskatchewan
Working with Communities to Understand The Unique Needs and Supports for Autism in First Nations Children in Saskatchewan
Investment: $147,385
Project Summary >
Nnamdi Ndubuka, University of Saskatchewan
Shirley Woods, Prince Albert Grand Council
Improving Brain Health Through Increase in Childhood Vaccination Coverage Rates Among Northern Saskatchewan First Nation Communities
Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Kelsey Cochrane, University of Saskatchewan
The Impact of Maternal Folic Acid vs Methyl Folate Supplementation on Breastmilk Composition and Infant Neurodevelopment
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Wendie Marks, University of Saskatchewan
Exploring the Effects of a Novel Wistar Rat Model of Early Life Adversity on Behaviour and Brain Health
Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Darrell Mousseau, University of Saskatchewan
Michelle Collins, University of Saskatchewan
Pediatric Heart Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder May Share a Common Molecular Trigger
Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
2024-25 Funding Recipients
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
Artificial Intelligence for Obstetrical Imaging from Blind Ultrasound Sweeps
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Andrew Freywald, University of Saskatchewan
Franco Vizeacoumar, University of Saskatchewan
Developing New Therapies for Pediatric T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Akram Mahani, University of Regina
Key Features of Neighborhoods that Support Youth Mental Health
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
Brandy Winquist, Saskatchewan Health Authority & University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Adeyinka, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Safer Pregnancy Saskatchewan: Working Together to Measure and Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Charlene Thompson, University of Saskatchewan
Jacob Alhassan, University of Saskatchewan
Improving Immunization Services for Children 0-6 Years of Age in Southwest Saskatchewan
Investment: $49,998
Project Summary >
Angela Baerwald, University of Saskatchewan
Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Musculoskeletal Health in Pregnant Women and Babies
Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Timothy Bradley, University of Saskatchewan
Darryl Adamko, University of Saskatchewan
Assessing the Incidence and Prevalence of Birth Defects in Saskatchewan Based on Existing Datasets
Investment: $149,840
Project Summary >
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
Corinne Berger, University of Saskatchewan
Enhancing ADHD and Autism Diagnosis in Rural and Remote Communities Using Eye Tracking Technology
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Stacey Lovo, University of Saskatchewan
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
Joey Deason (Virtual Health Hub)
Planning and Evaluation of kisahpapamik, a Mobile Health Services Pod, for Pediatric Rehabilitation
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
Lindsey Boechler, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Virtual Interventions and Community Connections for Indigenous Youth (VICCIY): Enhancing Indigenous Youth Wellness through Interactive Virtual Reality
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Shela Hirani, University of Regina
Improving Mother-Child Care in Saskatchewan through Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives
Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Jorden Cummings, University of Saskatchewan
Supporting Parents Supporting Consent: Evaluation of Support Groups to Empower Parenting of Consent, Body Agency, and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Investment: $49,091
Project Summary >
2023-24 Funding Recipients
Rachel Engler-Stringer, University of Saskatchewan
Hassanali Vatanparast, University of Saskatchewan
Growing Success: Scaling the 'Good Food for Learning' school food program
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Nathalie Reid, University of Regina
Lise Milne, University of Regina
Bolstering the Impact of the Child Trauma Research Centre: Collaborative approaches to translating research for service providers in Saskatchewan
Investment: $149,308
Project Summary >
Jacob Alhassan, University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Fuller, University of Saskatchewan
Ron Woytowich, Kikinahk Friendship Centre
Evaluating the impact of the Kikinahk free bus service on northern Saskatchewan youth's access to mental health and sexual health services
Investment: $149,972
Project Summary >
Amanda Froehlich-Chow, University of Saskatchewan
Louise Humbert, University of Saskatchewan
Erica Stevenson, Saskatoon Tribal Council
We tutuska towin~Forging Paths Together: The Co-Creation of Culturally Rooted and Physical Literacy Enriched Early Learning Environments
Investment: $149,984
Project Summary >
Seok-Bum Ko, University of Saskatchewan
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
Synthetic contrast-enhancing MRI for pediatric neuroimaging
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
Stacey Lovo, University of Saskatchewan
Development of a culturally-rooted pediatric virtual care program to facilitate care closer to home
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Christopher Phenix, University of Saskatchewan
Measuring biomarkers for accurate diagnoses of Gaucher Disease in patient samples
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Heather Szabo-Rogers, University of Saskatchewan
Michelle Collins, University of Saskatchewan
Insights into cardiac and facial birth defects in Saskatchewan's children
Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with Heart & Stroke
Kelsey Cochrane, University of Saskatchewan
Evaluating whether donated breastmilk is an acceptable and feasible feeding option for individuals living with HIV and their babies
Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Michael Akinpelu, University of Regina
Daniel Kikulwe, University of Regina
African Canadian immigrant youth and their experiences in making Saskatchewan home
Investment: $49,931
Project Summary >
Kristi Wright, University of Regina
Supporting the 'Forgotten Ones': Development and evaluation of an internet-delivered resource program for siblings of youth with congenital heart disease
Investment: $49,996
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
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Child & Youth Health Research Expo
Co-hosted by SHRF and Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation (JPCHF), the Child & Youth Health Research Expo highlighted co-funded projects through the SHRF Solutions Program, showcasing Saskatchewan research focused on the health and well-being of children, youth, and families.
During the event, JPCHF announced an additional $500,000 investment to extend its partnership with SHRF in support of pediatric and maternal health research in Saskatchewan.
The Expo brought together researchers, community partners, and organizations to share knowledge, discuss ongoing research and build connections. Attendees could learn about initiatives and resources supporting child and youth health across the province.
Presentations
Bolstering the Impact of the Child Trauma Research Centre
Lise Milne, Child Trauma Research Centre & Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina
Safer Pregnancy Saskatchewan: A Learning Health System Approach
Brandy Winquist, Community Health and Epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Adeyinka, Saskatchewan Health Authority
A Personalized Medicine Team for Craniofacial and Cardiovascular Disorders Affecting Saskatchewan Kids
Heather Szabo-Rogers, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan
Optimizing Access to Mental Health and Developmental Specialist Care using Peds-VCM
Lisa Plank, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Community-Directed Co-Development of Pediatric Hybrid Rehabilitation: Toward Sovereignty and Sustainability of Programming
Stacey Lovo, School of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Saskatchewan
