THUNDER BAY – HEALTH – For the second year in a row, the Board of Directors of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute is thrilled to be hosting a reception in downtown Toronto. Why? “It’s our chance to share the innovative research that’s happening in Thunder Bay with an audience that may be less familiar with the work that’s taking place,” said Tom Kehoe, Director, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “We are all passionate about the impact this research can have on lives, both in Northwestern Ontario, but also worldwide, and this reception is the perfect time for us to boast a bit more about what’s taking place.”
“Our commitment to Indigenous health research is vital to improving the health status of Indigenous people here in Northwestern Ontario, and also has global significance. By highlighting our work at this event, we can build partnerships that will allow more people to be a part of our success now and in the future,” said Dr. Abraham Rudnick, Vice President, Research for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Chief Scientist for Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.
The entire team at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute is justifiably proud of the research being undertaken by Clinician Researchers such as Dr. Naana Jumah, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Assistant Professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and are excited to provide the opportunity for event attendees to familiarize themselves with her work. Specifically, Dr. Jumah is partnering with mothers and their care providers to better manage opioid dependence during pregnancy. She will speak at the reception, along with her colleague, Lisa Bishop, an Anishinabe Midwife whose practice focuses on Indigenous women.
The event itself takes place Thursday, April 6 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in The Terrace Room at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, with everyone welcome. Tickets are $100/person and may be purchased online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/discovery2017
As Mr. Kehoe said, “There is tremendous need – both in Northwestern Ontario and worldwide – for the research being done by the brilliant minds at the Health Research Institute. My role as a Director is to create the ideal environment for collaboration so that we can best tackle the problems we’re trying to solve. Hosting this event is one way our Board can assist in that process, and I’m looking forward to a wonderful evening where our future takes shape.”
Providing Comprehensive Maternity Care for Indigenous Women
There are multiple health system structures and barriers to care which make it difficult for substance involved Indigenous women to receive comprehensive maternity care. The work of Dr. Jumah and Anishinabe Midwife Lisa Bishop has been in identifying these barriers and creating an alternative model of midwifery care specific to the needs of substance involved and/or marginalized Indigenous women.
Through Ontario Ministry of Health funding of the Aboriginal Midwifery Program, they will soon be able to implement and evaluate this model of care that partners midwifery, obstetrics, and general practitioners. Dr. Jumah is also working on a community directed project that will implement and evaluate a care pathway for opioid dependant Indigenous women living in remote locations. The care pathway was initiated and developed by the communities themselves to address this challenge. Her role is to support and facilitate the communities in continuation this project.
