Collaborative Investment in Health Research
Through a joint investment of over $3.6 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 31 projects to date, a combined investment of $3.6 million
Child & Youth Health Solutions Program 2023-24 Funding Recipients
Rachel Engler-Stringer, University of Saskatchewan
Hassanali Vatanparast, University of Saskatchewan
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Growing Success: Scaling the 'Good Food for Learning' school food program
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Jacob Alhassan, University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Fuller, University of Saskatchewan
Ron Woytowich, Kikinahk Friendship Centre
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Evaluating the impact of the Kikinahk free bus service on northern Saskatchewan youth's access to mental health and sexual health services
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Investment: $149,972
Project Summary >
Nathalie Reid, University of Regina
Lise Milne, University of Regina
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Bolstering the Impact of the Child Trauma Research Centre: Collaborative approaches to translating research for service providers in Saskatchewan
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Investment: $149,308
Project Summary >
Amanda Froehlich-Chow, University of Saskatchewan
Louise Humbert, University of Saskatchewan
Erica Stevenson, Saskatoon Tribal Council
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We tutuska towin~Forging Paths Together: The Co-Creation of Culturally Rooted and Physical Literacy Enriched Early Learning Environments
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Investment: $149,984
Project Summary >
Seok-Bum Ko, University of Saskatchewan
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
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Synthetic contrast-enhancing MRI for pediatric neuroimaging
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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
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Development of a culturally-rooted pediatric virtual care program to facilitate care closer to home
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Christopher Phenix, University of Saskatchewan
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Measuring biomarkers for accurate diagnoses of Gaucher Disease in patient samples
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Kelsey Cochrane, University of Saskatchewan
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Evaluating whether donated breastmilk is an acceptable and feasible feeding option for individuals living with HIV and their babies
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Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Heather Szabo-Rogers, University of Saskatchewan
Michelle Collins, University of Saskatchewan
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Insights into cardiac and facial birth defects in Saskatchewan's children
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with Heart & Stroke
Michael Akinpelu, University of Regina
Daniel Kikulwe, University of Regina
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African Canadian immigrant youth and their experiences in making Saskatchewan home
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Investment: $49,931
Project Summary >
Kristi Wright, University of Regina
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Supporting the 'Forgotten Ones': Development and evaluation of an internet-delivered resource program for siblings of youth with congenital heart disease
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Investment: $49,996
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
2024-25 Funding Recipients
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
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Artificial Intelligence for Obstetrical Imaging from Blind Ultrasound Sweeps
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Andrew Freywald, University of Saskatchewan
Franco Vizeacoumar, University of Saskatchewan
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Developing New Therapies for Pediatric T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Akram Mahani, University of Regina
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Key Features of Neighborhoods that Support Youth Mental Health
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
Brandy Winquist, Saskatchewan Health Authority & University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Adeyinka, Saskatchewan Health Authority
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Safer Pregnancy Saskatchewan: Working Together to Measure and Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Charlene Thompson, University of Saskatchewan
Jacob Alhassan, University of Saskatchewan
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Improving Immunization Services for Children 0-6 Years of Age in Southwest Saskatchewan
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Investment: $49,998
Project Summary >
Angela Baerwald, University of Saskatchewan
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Prenatal Folic Acid Supplements and Musculoskeletal Health in Pregnant Women and Babies
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Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Timothy Bradley, University of Saskatchewan
Darryl Adamko, University of Saskatchewan
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Assessing the Incidence and Prevalence of Birth Defects in Saskatchewan Based on Existing Datasets
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Investment: $149,840
Project Summary >
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
Corinne Berger, University of Saskatchewan
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Enhancing ADHD and Autism Diagnosis in Rural and Remote Communities Using Eye Tracking Technology
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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)
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Planning and Evaluation of kisahpapamik, a Mobile Health Services Pod, for Pediatric Rehabilitation
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Funded in partnership with SCPOR
Lindsey Boechler, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
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Virtual Interventions and Community Connections for Indigenous Youth (VICCIY): Enhancing Indigenous Youth Wellness through Interactive Virtual Reality
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Shela Hirani, University of Regina
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Improving Mother-Child Care in Saskatchewan through Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives
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Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Jorden Cummings, University of Saskatchewan
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Supporting Parents Supporting Consent: Evaluation of Support Groups to Empower Parenting of Consent, Body Agency, and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
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Investment: $49,091
Project Summary >
2025-26 Funding Recipients
Gregory Hansen, Saskatchewan Health Authority
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Detecting Hidden Awareness in Children with Serious Brain Injuries Using Advanced Brain Imaging
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Investment: $124,350
Project Summary >
Ghita Wiebe, University of Saskatchewan
Daniel Adeyinka, Saskatchewan Health Authority
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The Baby Bridge Project: Helping Families Access Early Support for Child Development and Well-being
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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
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Working with Communities to Understand The Unique Needs and Supports for Autism in First Nations Children in Saskatchewan
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Investment: $147,385
Project Summary >
Nnamdi Ndubuka, University of Saskatchewan
Shirley Woods, Prince Albert Grand Council
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Improving Brain Health Through Increase in Childhood Vaccination Coverage Rates Among Northern Saskatchewan First Nation Communities
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Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Meghan Maiani, University of Saskatchewan
Juan Appendino, University of Saskatchewan
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Improving Detection of Vision Difficulties in Children with Early Life Brain Injuries
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Kelsey Cochrane, University of Saskatchewan
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The Impact of Maternal Folic Acid vs Methyl Folate Supplementation on Breastmilk Composition and Infant Neurodevelopment
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Investment: $150,000
Project Summary >
Wendie Marks, University of Saskatchewan
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Exploring the Effects of a Novel Wistar Rat Model of Early Life Adversity on Behaviour and Brain Health
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Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
Darrell Mousseau, University of Saskatchewan
Michelle Collins, University of Saskatchewan
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Pediatric Heart Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder May Share a Common Molecular Trigger
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Investment: $50,000
Project Summary >
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