Clinical research is an essential part of the academic practice of medicine in a tertiary care teaching hospital. As one of the main pillars of academic Health Centers, together with Education and Medical Practice, Research is a critical component of the Department of Pediatrics’ activities in the promotion of high quality evidence-based practice.
Research activities in the Department are under the direction of Dr. Ran Goldman, Director of Pediatric Resident Research who is assisted by members of the Pediatric Research Committee and Research Education Assistant.
Faculty from the pediatric specialty divisions are invited each fall to speak to trainees about research themes in their division, with opportunities for trainee participation. Trainees are also offered opportunities for increased exposure to pediatric research through organized pediatric research laboratory tours. Residents who seek to undertake a research career, are encouraged to consider completing a Masters in Health Sciences at the UBC School of Population Public Health. This is a one year course-based program which includes one practicum.
Residents are also encouraged to apply to the UBC Clinician Investigator Program (CIP).
UPDATED July 14 2021
For more information about the innovative research conducted within each division, visit the Divisions & Centres section.
TIDE-BC (http://www.tidebc.org/) is funded by the BCCH Foundation as the 'First Collaborative Area of Innovation', which aims to identify treatable causes of intellectual disability in children living in British Columbia and to provide individualized care to those affected along, with improved evidence for new and existing treatments.
Our CIHR & Genome-BC funded gene discovery program (Synergizing -omics to discover treatable intellectual disabilities) is a global collaboration which combines genomic and metabolomics technologies to identify new treatable conditions in intellectual disability. Drs. Sylvia Stockler and Clara van Karnebeek are the Principal Investigators leading a multi-disciplinary team to achieve these goals.
Drs. Sylvia Stockler and
Clara van Karnebeek
OVERVIEW OF THE HUDSON FAMILY HOSPITAL CHAIR IN PEDIATRIC MEDICINE
A BC Children’s Hospital Chair is a prestigious honour bestowed on clinicians and researchers who are leaders in their fields. The Hudson Family Hospital Chair in Pediatric Medicine is the first of its kind at BC Children’s Hospital.
The Chair will help the Department of Pediatrics to shape the future of pediatric medicine, and to ensure BC Children’s Hospital can meet the ongoing needs of BC’s sick children for generations to come.
The Hudson Family Hospital Chair in Pediatric Medicine has led to the launch of a new program to support the scholarly development of early career faculty pediatricians – The Hudson Scholars Awards Program. The program recognizes the need for dedicated physician time to acquire new knowledge in scientific methods, apply these to a specific clinical practice improvement project, and measure the impact of the change on the healthcare system.
In the long term, it is anticipated that this program will develop a new generation of pediatrician Scholars who will lead and transform the practice of medicine at BC Children’s.
The Hudson Scholars Awards Program was established in 2016. The first several years of funding established the Hudson Scholars in Pediatric Medicine as a mentored career development program.
In the first year, the program focussed on the sub-specialty of general pediatrics and granted two years of funding to the brightest junior physicians at BC Children’s Hospital.
The funding gave them dedicated time for research and further training and education while they build capacity in exciting new fields of pediatric medicine, focusing on quality improvement.
The first Hudson Scholars were Drs. Jennifer Smitten, Kristopher Kang, and Mia Remington. Each of whom received their pediatrics training in the UBC program based at BC Children’s Hospital.
Drs. Smitten, Kang and Remington
Dr. Smitten’s research focussed on “Choosing Wisely” – a movement aimed at avoiding unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures. Her research aimed at improving discharge efficiency through quality control improvement. Dr. Kang’s research investigated how to increase vaccination rates of patients at high risk of severe infection.
“We have amazing, talented people who are completing their training at BC Children’s,” said Dr. Eddy. “The Hudson Scholar awards offer us the ability to retain and build on their energy, ideas, interests and expertise. This innovative program also offers the beginning of a long-term career pathway that is focused on quality care.”
Cohort #2 was comprised of: Drs. Benetta Chin (Division of Emergency Medicine), James Lee (Division of Neurology), Tom McLaughlin (Division of General Pediatrics) and Meera Rayar (Division of Hematology, Oncology & BMT). [MORE ABOUT COHORT 2]
Cohort #3 began their two year program in 2020. Their focus is on quality improvement projects, in addition to, two projects aimed at embedding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion practices in our department. They are: Drs. Sara Jassemi, Danya Fox, Sally Lawrence, Esther Lee, Tatiana Sotjindo and Anas Manouzi. [MORE ABOUT COHORT 3]