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. We bring together leading experts in research, education, and care to improve the health of women and children through the following institutions:
University of Alberta: Women and Children’s Health Research Institute
Founded in 2006, the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) is a landmark collaborative partnership between the University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation. Operating at the University of Alberta, WCHRI is the only research institute in Canada dedicated exclusively to advancing women’s, children’s, and perinatal health across the entire life course.
As a core institutional pillar of University of Alberta Clinical Trials (UACT), WCHRI connects investigators to the centralized trial infrastructure, regulatory support, and clinical networks required to run efficient, high-impact pediatric and women’s health studies. The institute brings together over 400 leading researchers supported by generous foundational funding to drive innovative research programs that translate into improved clinical outcomes for women, children and families.
Research Partner Facilities
Stollery Children’s Hospital
Located in Edmonton, the Stollery is the most specialized children’s hospital in Western Canada, serving the largest geographic catchment of any children’s hospital in North America. As Canada’s second-largest children’s hospital by bed count, it anchors a leading pediatric research ecosystem that supports hundreds of active clinical trials and research studies. Seeing more than 316,000 patient visits annually, the Stollery is Western Canada’s hub for complex pediatric cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, and rare diseases, offering direct access to dedicated pediatric trial infrastructure and high-acuity patient populations.
Lois Hole Hospital for Women
Embedded within the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, the Lois Hole Hospital for Women serves over 75,000 patients annually across Western and Northern Canada; a vast catchment area characterized by high clinical acuity and diverse patient demographics. Clinical research is accelerated through the Dale Sheard Centre for Solutions in Women’s Health, a dedicated research hub at the hospital providing access to high-quality clinical data, biological specimens, and culturally safe spaces for patient-centered, equitable health research.
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.