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Women And Children’s Health Research

Women and children are often underrepresented in research. Despite making up the majority of the population, the specific health needs of these groups are often overlooked. This is why it’s important for researchers to improve health outcomes for women and children in our province. Through centres of excellence, we can bring together leading experts in research, education, and care to improve the health of women and children.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE

WCHRI was founded in 2006 as a partnership between the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, with core funding from the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. The organization is the only institute in Canada that supports women’s and children’s health research.

The institute is made up of over 400 leading researchers who care deeply about the health and wellbeing of women and children. Thanks to the generosity of their funders, WCHRI can support a range of research programs focused on improving perinatal, children’s, and women’s health.

RESEARCH FACILITIES

ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

The Alberta Children’s Hospital is a world-class pediatric facility, caring for more than 90,000 children and families each year. Located in Calgary, it’s the largest public hospital for sick children in the prairie provinces.

LOIS HOLE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN

The Lois Hole Hospital for Women provides care for women in all stages of life, including care for maternity and obstetrics patients and surgery for ovarian, cervical, and other gynecological cancers. It’s also a leader in new treatments for urogynecologic and pelvic floor disorders.

STOLLERY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

The Stollery is a children’s hospital for cardiac surgery and major organ transplants in Edmonton, Alberta. It contains neonatal and pediatric ICUs, a pediatric thrombosis program, and a number of other clinics for children.

The hospital is part of the Canadian Neonatal Network and conducts over 9,000 surgeries each year. It was the first hospital in Canada to perform a pediatric auto-islet transplant and is a major referral centre for the Berlin Heart.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

LAURA SAUNDERS

“As a parent of two very young children… my voice matters.”

Laura took part in a study to improve communication between physicians, pediatric patients, and patients’ families. The study showed her how important her input is in guiding health care for her children and herself.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT RESEARCH HAPPENING IN ALBERTA

CANCER RESEARCH

GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH RESEARCH

HEART AND STROKE RESEARCH