Mayor Patrick Brown
By: Sofia Ramirez, Research Communications, Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation
This year's Celebrate Research Week (CRW) marked a historic milestone for William Osler Health System (Osler) with the official launch of the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation (ORIHI). With a focus on community engagement, the week-long celebration highlighted the critical role of collaboration in advancing research and fostering innovation to improve the health and well-being of our diverse communities.
The launch of ORIHI was a milestone reflecting Osler's commitment to closing the divide between discovery and practice. ORIHI aims to transform groundbreaking research into real-world solutions that benefit patients, communities, and our health systems. Guided by its three foundational pillars -Population Health, Personalized Health, and Health Systems - ORIHI is dedicated to translating research into tangible solutions that address the health needs of patients, communities, and health care systems.
Throughout CRW, participants explored the essential role of knowledge mobilization and partnerships to share research broadly and underscored how research-driven insights and collaborative efforts help bridge the gap between research and its practical application to make meaningful impact in the real world.
A highlight of CRW 2024 was the Science-Art Exhibition, which illustrated the profound intersection of creativity and research. Titled Why Science Needs Art? the exhibition featured a piece by Austrian-based artist, Daniela Brill-Estrada, demonstrating how art can make complex scientific concepts more accessible and inspire new ways of thinking. Daniela's visit was supported by the Cultural Forum of the Embassy of Austria, while contributions from local artists enriched the exhibition, bringing together artists, researchers, scientists, and the public in a shared space of discovery.
The works addressed themes such as the imposter syndrome felt by health care workers, pathology, loneliness, and end-of-life care. This blend of art and science was fully demonstrated in the two works from the Health Design Studio of OCAD University, which exemplified this integrative method using interactive exhibits to collect data and spark dialogue about end-of-life care. These collaborations demonstrated the potential for art and science to inform one another and lend fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
CRW 2024 attracted more than 1,100 attendees who participated in over 20 sessions, including keynotes, panel discussions, a research fair, open houses, and the Why Science Needs Art? exhibition. Feedback from attendees highlighted the event's success in fostering and strengthening the connections between researchers, clinicians, patients, and the broader community. The event was also recognized at a regional level with a proclamation by the City of Brampton.
As the newly launched ORIHI moves forward, it is committed to mobilizing knowledge that extends beyond the academic community to impact patients, health care providers, and policymakers. Initiatives such as CRW 2024 are a significant step toward integrating research and community demonstrating how research can inspire and engage everyone!