Canada Research Chairs
Canada Research Chairs are awarded to researchers outstanding in their field. They are awarded by the Canada Research Chair Program.
Meredith Vanstone
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Ethical Complexity in Primary Care
The practice of medicine relies in many ways on information gathered from clinical research and trials. But how do physicians navigate areas of care where clinical evidence doesn’t exist, is considered ambiguous, or does not play a key role in decision-making? How do they help their patients make decisions about medically complex issues?
As Canada Research Chair in Ethical Complexity in Primary Care, Meredith Vanstone aims both to improve patients’ experiences and help clinicians. She and her research team are trying to shed light on how circumstances, resources and values inform the way pregnant people navigate ethically complex decisions about reproduction. The team is approaching these goals by describing and developing educational and policy interventions to help primary care clinicians navigate complex ethical issues. Ultimately, their work will offer greater clarity to physicians and may translate into better care for patients.
Gina Agarwal
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Vulnerable Individuals in Primary Care
Many Canadians face challenges getting primary health care. Even when care is available, vulnerable people can have difficulties accessing it — for example, older adults or those with disabilities may find it difficult to travel to a doctor. As Canada Research Chair in Vulnerable Individuals in Primary Care, Gina Ragini Agarwal is trying to ensure that vulnerable individuals can get the health care they need, where and when they need it.
She and her research team are developing interventions to improve primary care. They are exploring new ways to measure the usefulness of health programs and developing and testing new ones. They are also running large research trials to gather evidence about the impacts of programs on individuals and health systems. Their work will lead to better access to (and more effective use of) primary care, fewer emergency visits, better health outcomes and quality of life, and a more sustainable health system.
Department Research Chairs
David Braley Nancy Gordon Chair in Family Medicine
This position was made possible by a gift from David Braley and Nancy Gordon in 2019 to support the work of outstanding faculty who are recognized internationally for their contributions to the discipline of family medicine. This individual contributes to and helps maintain our world-class reputation for excellence in family medicine — exemplifying the central values of McMaster and the Department of Family Medicine.
Their research focuses on primary care health systems, health policy, health equity and evaluating the critical relationships between primary care clinicians, teams and patients as well as other strategic research priorities of the Department.
McMaster Family Medicine Research Chair
The McMaster Family Medicine Research Chair is an internationally respected scholar working to address the challenges that face family physicians and primary care providers. Their expertise and passion for patient care is exemplified through scholarship and an established research program. The Chair engages and extends the Department’s core strengths.
In addition to contributing to the department’s research community, they also have the opportunity to teach medical students, family medicine residents and contribute to the administration of the Department.
McMaster Family Medicine Levitt Scholar
The research, interests and accomplishments of the McMaster Family Medicine Levitt Scholar focuses on primary care and further the Department’s strategic priority to advocate for and promote primary care as the foundation of strong health systems and desired health outcomes. In keeping with the legacy of Dr. Cheryl Levitt, this role is awarded to a full-time, clinical faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine who demonstrates tenacity, courage and success in creating and sustaining innovations in primary care with impact locally to globally.