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Recognizing that people’s health is affected by where they live and work, Sara Shearkhani, PhD, Evaluation & Equity Scientist with Michael Garron Hospital and East Toronto Health Partners, is passionate about collaborating with community members to improve healthcare for everyone.
She received a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant this year to advance her equity-driven approach, which includes working with local residents and hospital clinicians to co-design barrier-free access to healthcare services. It was the first CIHR grant given directly to Michael Garron Hospital.
“Our hospital is deeply committed to delivering healthcare that is safe, efficient, equitable and trusted,” says Dr. Kelly Smith, Interim Chief Scientific Officer and Michael Garron Chair in Patient Oriented Research. “We’re excited to have CIHR support for Dr. Shearkhani’s team as they co-create an equity-centred research agenda with patients and community partners.”
“We care a great deal about health equity because marginalized people don’t have the same access to resources,” says Dr. Shearkhani. “Education, income, employment, gender, ethnicity and immigration status all play a role in people’s health and well-being.”
An innovative approach to uncovering barriers
Dr. Shearkhani also leads a related project that trains community members to conduct research surveys in the Thorncliffe Park and Taylor-Massey neighbourhoods.
Similar to the approach used by Community Health Ambassadors who distributed COVID-19 testing and vaccine information, the surveyors focus on apartment buildings with large numbers of residents who frequently seek care from our Stavro Emergency Department. The surveys will uncover what prevents these residents from accessing primary care.
“We know there are issues in these neighbourhoods, but we need measurable data to develop and test solutions,” says Dr. Shearkhani. “Michael Garron Hospital is the first that I know of to train community members as researchers who gather information in efforts to improve the health of the local population.”
Donations from people like you help us develop evidence-based solutions that meet the healthcare needs of our community. Please give today at mghf.ca/donate
