May 30, 2024

Over $1.3 Million Invested in Child & Youth Health Solutions in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan – In a joint effort to foster healthier futures for Saskatchewan’s children and youth, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation (JPCHF) proudly announce an investment of $1,350,000 for critical research initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of young people across the province.

As part of the Child & Youth Health Solutions research focus area, this collaborative effort is a testament to our determination to tackle a spectrum of health challenges faced by Saskatchewan’s youth. Through this initiative, we aim to deliver tangible improvements in children’s and young people’s health, care, and quality of life.

“Investing in pediatric research is crucial for advancing our understanding and treatment of childhood diseases. By prioritizing research, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is not only enhancing the well-being of children today but also paving the way for innovative treatments that will benefit future generations.” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Hospital Foundation. “As an important strategic pillar of our Foundation, investing in pediatric research transforms the delivery of health care ensuring that every child has an opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.”

Patrick Odnokon, CEO of SHRF, expressed enthusiasm for the impactful collaborations emerging from this joint investment, stating, “Our partnership with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation underscores our commitment to foster positive change in child and youth health outcomes. Together, we are empowering researchers, healthcare professionals, families, and community stakeholders to implement solutions that directly benefit Saskatchewan’s youth.”

These funds will support 11 diverse projects spanning critical areas such as mental health, nutrition, trauma-informed care, virtual health, and innovative medical technologies.

Among the funded initiatives is “We tutuska towin-Forging Paths Together,” led by Amanda Froehlich-Chow and Louise Humbert from the University of Saskatchewan and Erica Stevenson from the Saskatoon Tribal Council. This project aims to create culturally connected spaces with early learning environments that promote play and physical activities and has research support from Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Early Childhood Development Program, Indigenous Elder and Knowledge Keeper with Saskatoon Public School Division, E-Tahkanasawot Care Center, Prince Albert Childcare Co-operative Association, and Yellow Quill Daycare.

Cutting-edge medical advancements are also prominent in the funding portfolio, with projects like “Synthetic contrast-enhancing MRI for pediatric neuroimaging” led by Seok-Bum Ko and Scott Adams, both from the University of Saskatchewan, offering promising solutions to improve diagnostic capabilities for pediatric neurological conditions.

The University of Regina Child Trauma Research Centre will also be receiving funds. Harnessing their existing research, they will form a community collective of individuals who share an interest in child and youth well-being. This will allow them to co-create and evaluate feasible and effective trauma-integrated research for service providers such as social workers, psychologists, counsellors, educators, health practitioners, etc.

These initiatives reflect the shared commitment of SHRF and JPCHF to drive positive health outcomes and resilience among Saskatchewan’s youngest residents.

To learn more about the 11 projects funded by JPCHF and SHRF, visit: https://www.shrf.ca/2023-24-child-youth-health-funding