2025 Annual Report
Message from the Scientific Director
Reflections on the year
The Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR), launched in February 2015, proudly marked its 10th anniversary in 2025, an important milestone that reflects St. Joseph’s Care Group’s (SJCG) ongoing commitment to enhancing people-centred, regionalized specialized care. Over the past decade, the CAHR has brought together leading-edge clinicians and some of the brightest minds in research and evaluation to drive continuous improvement across the organization.
This anniversary year was particularly remarkable for the CAHR and its 50 members. In 2025, the CAHR also contributed to 20 internally driven research and evaluation projects that supported evidence-informed decision-making at SJCG. Notably, the CAHR advanced several evaluation initiatives, including SJCG’s annual organization-wide Client & Resident Satisfaction Survey. The team also continues the multi-year Measuring Compassionate Care in Long-Term Care project, a research study being conducted in SJCG long-term care homes.
Together, these initiatives and the knowledge they generate are directly informing and strengthening the programs and services delivered at SJCG.
As highlighted in the pages that follow, the breadth and depth of expertise within the CAHR and its membership are exceptional. This collective effort continues to shape care not only within SJCG, but also within the region.
All CAHR members and I are proud of the achievements highlighted in this report, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Michel Bédard, PhD, Scientific Director Centre for Applied Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group
About the CAHR
The Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) is a research and evaluation department at St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG). CAHR conducts high-quality research and program evaluation, engages in knowledge translation, and supports SJCG in creating new knowledge relevant to Long-Term Care, Mental Health & Addictions, and Rehabilitative Care
Long-Term Care
Mandate
Mental Health & Addictions Rehabilitative Care
The mandate of the CAHR is to enhance research capacity and generate new knowledge through targeted research and program evaluation efforts. This includes supporting researchers and evaluators while striving to establish the CAHR as a recognized leader in applied health research.
Objectives
Create new knowledge relevant to SJCG
Adopt strategies to enhance knowledge translation activities
Support the development of research capacity within SJCG
Contribute expertise to facilitate evaluation activities , St. Joseph’s Care Group
Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) 2025 Annual Report cahr.sjcg.net
CAHR Impact At A Glance
2025 highlights from the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) team
20 Supported SJCG research and evaluation projects
5 SJCG committees and working groups
$16,250 Awarded to post-secondary students in Northwestern Ontario
50 CAHR Members
62% Response rate of SJCG’s 2025 Client & Resident Satisfaction Survey 96%
Of attendees were satisfied or very satisfied with the 2025 Showcase of Health Research
SJCG staff participated in SJCG’s 1st Research & Evaluation Month
6 Internal reports 176
13 Peer-reviewed publications and presentations
Meet the Team
Michel Bédard, PhD, FGSA Scientific Director
Michel provides direction to the Centre for Applied Health Research as the Scientific Director, including conducting and overseeing research on issues of concern or interest to St. Joseph’s Care Group, and guiding the evaluation of both existing and new programs.
Hillary Maxwell, MPH, PhD Candidate Research Statistician
Hillary manages and conducts data analysis and related operations, applying expertise in research methods and advanced statistics to support research, evaluation, and decision-making within St. Joseph’s Care Group.
Shayna Cummings, MSc Research Coordinator
Shayna coordinates, designs, supervises, and reports on research and evaluation within St. Joseph’s Care Group. Supports staff in conducting research, leads corporate evaluation initiatives, and shares findings with researchers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
Simran Bedi, MA Research Intern
Simran works across the research cycle, including data collection, analysis, and reporting, and contributes to program evaluations by supporting design, implementation, and assessment of St. Joseph’s Care Groups’ programs and services.
Research Intern
Internship experience with the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) team
With a background in Applied Life Sciences and Social Justice Studies, I joined St. Joseph’s Care Group as a Research Intern with the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR). During my time with CAHR, I developed quantitative research skills, including using analytical software and interpreting research findings. I also gained experience in report writing through evaluation projects and developed an understanding of research processes within a healthcare organization. Most importantly, it was the supportive work culture that stood out to me.
The dedication of the CAHR team to my goal of becoming a physician was especially meaningful. They valued my career aspirations and thoughtfully aligned my learning experiences as an intern to support this future path. Even now as a medical student, I continue to draw on the skills I developed during my internship to enhance my learning.
These skills range from critically appraising research articles to engaging in thoughtful discussions about medicine. Among the most valuable has been the ability to both give and receive constructive feedback with peers and faculty.
Simran Bedi, MA, Research Intern Centre for Applied Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group
CAHR Member Spotlight
Dr. Alexandra Drawson, C.Psych. (she/her) Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Alexandra Drawson is a clinical psychologist, working with St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (CAPS). She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University and an assistant professor with NOSM University. Dr. Drawson received her PhD from Lakehead University and completed her internship with NORPIC in 2018. Her main research interests are the impact of sleep and screen use on pediatric mental health, transdiagnostic approaches to assessment and treatment, rural and northern community well being, and measure development and validation. She is trained in a variety of approaches, including CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness, and has presented research at over 30 national and international conferences, in addition to publishing in a variety of journals.
Learn more about Dr. Alexandra Drawson’s SJCG longitudinal research study.
Clinician-researchers are the bridge that connects science to practice and vice versa. I see what my clients experience day-to-day and understand how the research I conduct can help improve their quality of life. The data we have tells us that children and youth in our region experience disproportionate levels of mental health challenges, making our work in the North all the more important.”
CAHR Member Spotlight
Dr. Alexandra Drawson is recruiting participants for their St. Joseph’s Care Group longitudinal research study.
Name of Research Study
“Longitudinal Examination of Mental Health, Sleep Habits, and Screen Use in Children and Youth in Northwestern Ontario.”
Purpose of Research Study
To learn how to mitigate the development of mental health issues for youth and understand how sleep and reduction in screen time can serve as interventions for this population.
Participation Criteria
Dr. Alexandra Drawson is looking for clients and caregivers of clients of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services (CAPS) who are ages 8 to 18 years.
Involvement of Participation
Participation is done exclusively through surveys, which can be completed online or inperson at CAPS, with plans to follow clients for up to 10 years, a method known as longitudinal research, to track the development of sleep- and mental health–related issues.
Interested in Participating?
Clients of CAPS and their caregivers can participate online through the links below, or by contacting CAPS at 807-684-5101.
Caregiver/parent: tinyurl.com/4drynyhe
Youth: tinyurl.com/4c3hvk96
Internally Driven Projects
Involved research and evaluation projects within St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG)
In 2025, the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) contributed to 20 internally driven research and evaluation projects to support SJCG. These projects are essential to ensure that decisions are supported by evidence and based on best practices.
Project Purpose
Project Collaboration & Execution
Evidence-Based Implications
Long-Term Care: CAHR-Involved Projects
Project Name
Centre for Excellence in Seniors’ Services Transition
Project Purpose
Identify resident quality of life and function changes associated with the CEISS transition
Project Collaborators
Evidence-Based Implications
Ganju, A. Lim, T. Poletti, S.
Measuring Compassionate Care in Long-Term Care
See project spotlight on page 17
Long-Term Care Ineligible
Expand opportunities for research within LTC; focus on compassionate care
Black, J. Kumar, S. Middleton, R. Riabov, J. Shaen, A.
Inform future transition planning within similar organizations
Contribute to the validated knowledge base regarding longterm care to help improve client outcomes within these settings Help train researchers with a focus on long-term care
Oral Health in Long-Term Care
Create an objective measure of LTC eligibility MacDonald, L.
Facilitate a clinician friendly novel approach to objectively characterize client suitability for Long Term Care
Support development of care plan priorities and identify gaps in the continuum of care
Assess the congruence between measures of oral health within the longterm care setting
Black, J. Kulp, M. Middleton, R. Riabov, J. Weiss, C. Validate and promote the importance of maintaining oral health amongst SJCG clients
Mental Health & Addictions: SJCG Projects
Project Name
East Wing Moving Evaluation
Hogarth Riverview Manor Moving Evaluation
Matawa Mental Health Evaluation
Project Purpose
Identify changes associated with the transition (e.g., program delivery, client outcomes)
Identify resident quality of life and function changes associated with the Centre for Excellence in Seniors’ Services (CEISS) transition
Project Collaborators
Evidence-Based Implications
Fonso, L. Lim, T. Stewart, K.
Inform transition planning and future capital projects
Docherty, A. Ganju, A. Lim, T. Poletti, S.
Evaluate SJCG Matawa partnership programming Palmer, A.
Inform transition planning and future capital projects
Identify successes and gaps in Matawa partnership programming
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Responders’ Characteristics
Explore baseline individual characteristics that predict depression reduction following Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
English, M. Mazmanian, D. Ozen, L.
Identify individuals most likely to benefit from MBCT
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): The Need for Control
Demonstrate the importance of control arms in mindfulnessbased intervention studies
Lowey, J. Mazmanian, D. Ozen, L. Scott, R.
Advance the field of mindfulness, whilst warning of the potential dangers of relying on exploratory research in clinical decisionmaking
Substance Use Health Strategy
Understand how to meet SJCG client’s substance use health needs, and SJCG staff substance use care needs
Zarit Burden (ZBI) Norms
Project Name
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) Rheumatology Model
Determine norms for ZBI (a tool to measure strain and burden in caregivers)
Turner, R. Veneruz, J.
Wesway
Improve SJCG services for clients by enhancing SJCG’s approach to supporting clients with problematic substance use through evidencebased practices
Enhance utility and meaning of ZBI scores by providing normative comparators
Rehabilitative Care: CAHR-Involved Projects
Project Purpose
To evaluate the ACPAC Rheumatology Model
Project Collaborators
Evidence-Based Implications
Puhalski, E. Heath, N. Hutnan, M. Stach, A.
SJCG Occupational Therapists Screening Tests
To appraise tests and protocols used by occupational therapists (OTs) for screening and assessment (e.g., Demtect, SIMARD-MD, trichotomization of tools)
Schurr, S.
Support more efficient, timely, and patient-centered management of individuals with arthritis
Improve test accuracy for diagnoses, and increase efficiency for OTs
Three-Tiered Driver Screening
To appraise the effectiveness of a 3-step process to determine fitness to drive
Girvin, A. Knott, L. Pontello, K. Willie, T.
Develop a standardized driving assessment protocol with increased diagnostic accuracy
Promote a shorter, less costly process for certain clients, resulting in increased capacity
Additional CAHR-Involved Projects
Project Name
Project Purpose
4 North Client Family Feedback
To evaluate and improve the quality of compassionate care provided by the 4 North Hospice/Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Project Collaborators
Evidence-Based Implications
Shipston, H. Enhance the delivery of compassionate care on the unit
Client Satisfaction Survey
See project spotlight on page 16
Embedding N'Doo'owe Binesi into Clinical Areas Across the Care Group
To quantitatively measure SJCG client satisfaction
Poletti, S. Shaen, A.
Explore how CAHR can support evaluating the “Embedding N'Doo'owe Binesi” initiative and discuss next steps toward its three-year evaluation
Inform strategic planning and spur quality improvement initiatives
Koscielniak, A. Middleton, R. Generate evidence to guide culturally informed improvements, strengthen implementation, and inform next steps for its three-year evaluation
Employee & Physician Experience Surveys
Evaluate the Various Components of N’doo’owe Binesi
To measure SJCG employee and physician experience working at SJCG
As part of the smaller components of Implementing Walking with Humility: Embracing the Teachings of the West project charter, this portion of the project charter includes an evaluation of the various components of N’doo’owe Binesi
Murdoch, T. Reinikka, M. Upton, K.
Real-Time Pulse Surveys
To regularly capture timely staff feedback, enabling responsive action and fostering a culture where people feel heard, valued, and supported
Koscielniak, A. Lyon, A.
Identify factors of job satisfaction and retention to enable improvements that enhance the employee and physician experience at SJCG
To generate evidence to assess effectiveness, guide improvements, and support culturally grounded implementation within Walking with Humility
Lyon, A. Murdoch, T. Poletti, S. Reinikka, M. Upton, K.
Generate evidence to inform responsive actions, improve engagement, and strengthen a culture where staff feel heard, valued, and supported
Client and Resident Satisfaction Survey
In accordance with the Excellent Care for All Act, St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) conducts an annual organization-wide Client & Resident Satisfaction Survey each year. The Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) role is to support item development and manage the distribution, collection, analysis, and reporting of survey data.
As outlined in the Act:
“Every health care organization shall carry out surveys, (a) at least once every fiscal year, of persons who have received services from the health care organization in the past 12 months and of caregivers of those persons who had contact with the organization in connection with those services;”
“The purpose of a survey under clause (1) (a) is to collect information concerning satisfaction with the services provided by the health care organization.”
Findings inform quality improvement initiatives and support the delivery of high-quality, personcentred care across the organization. The results from SJCG’s latest Client Satisfaction Survey Report can be read on SJCG’s website: sjcg.net/accountability/client-satisfaction-survey.aspx
2025 Client Satisfaction Survey Results: A Summary
Measuring Compassionate Care in Long-Term Care
A research study at St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) Long-Term Care Homes
The Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR), in collaboration with Dr. Shane Sinclair, founder and director of the Compassion Research Lab at the University of Calgary, is conducting a research study at SJCG long-term care homes, Bethammi Nursing Home and Hogarth Riverview Manor.
The goal is to measure compassionate care for residents from the perspective of carepartners (residents’ family member or substitute decision-maker, etc.).
Why Measuring Compassionate Care Matters
Compassionate care is a part of high-quality healthcare. It is linked to better resident outcomes, higher satisfaction, and a better overall care experience.
However, measuring compassionate care can be difficult, especially in long-term care. Many residents have cognitive impairments and are not able to share their own experiences. In these situations, care-partners play an important part in representing residents’ experiences.
A Solution
When residents cannot share their experiences, their care-partners can be a solution. A carepartner version of the Sinclair Compassion Questionnaire (SCQ), called the SCQ-CP, will be created, by adapting the existing validated patient-reported tool using evidence-based methods.
Ensuring Every Resident’s Experience is Captured
A validated SCQ-CP will make it possible to measure compassionate care when residents cannot communicate for themselves. It will also allow comparison of perspectives between residents and their care-partners, and support improvements in long-term care.
for Applied Health Research (CAHR)
Awards in Applied Health Research
The St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) Awards in Applied Health Research are available to full-time graduate students at Lakehead University pursuing research related to the service areas of SJCG. In 2025, the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) was pleased to award $4000 to each of the following recipients: Ishaq Malik, Chelsea Noël, Amy Stern and Jillian Zitars.
To learn more about the SJCG Awards in Applied Health Research: cahr.sjcg.net/awards
Jillian Zitars, Doctoral Student Clinical Psychology
Program
“The St. Joseph’s Care Group Award in Applied Health Research has been a valuable support for my doctoral studies in clinical psychology and for my dissertation research. My dissertation focuses on scanxiety (i.e., the fear, anxiety, and distress often felt in the time leading up to a cancerrelated imaging and receiving imaging results) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs; age 15-39) who’ve had cancer. AYA cancer survivors may be at particular risk for scanxiety due to lower mental well-being than older cancer survivors and their non-cancer peers, and their unique psychosocial and developmental challenges.
I am currently working on my first dissertation study, where I’m conducting focus groups to examine scan-related experiences for AYAs who’ve had cancer to better understand these experiences and their preferences for a scanxiety intervention. Informed by the literature and our focus group findings, we will develop and pilot a brief group skillbuilding scanxiety intervention tailored for AYAs. Overall, this research can advance the understanding and management of scanxiety in AYA cancer survivors. If successful, this brief co-designed skill-building intervention may become a cost-effective tool to reduce scanxiety in AYA cancer survivors. Thank you to the Centre for Applied Health Research for supporting me in my doctoral work!”
Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) 2025 Annual Report cahr.sjcg.net
Showcase of Health Research
About the Showcase of Health Research
Since 2006, the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR), part of St. Joseph's Care Group, has hosted the Showcase of Health Research, Northwestern Ontario’s (NWO) premier annual event highlighting research and evaluation that advances regional health and wellbeing. The event is proudly supported by SJCG’s Leadership Team
2025 Showcase of Health Research
The 2025 event welcomed 200 registrants, once again reaching capacity, and featured 34 presentations. Participants from 14 organizations represented clinical, academic, healthcare, and industry sectors.
Great event! Very well executed and a great opportunity to learn more about health research in NWO!
96% of attendees who responded were satisfied or very satisfied with the 2025 Showcase of Health Research overall.
Internal Committees and Working Groups
Research and evaluation expertise contributions
Microsoft 365 Working Group Committee
Real Time Staff Survey Working Group
Showcase of Health Research Peer Review Committee
SJCG Awards in Applied Health Research Selection Committee
SJCG Research Ethics Board
Funding Awarded
to CAHR members
Over the course of 2025, CAHR members were awarded 27 new grants for their research or evaluation projects, which totalled over $22 million in funding (as seen in the table below, with CAHR members bolded).
Learners, defined as a St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) Awardee in Applied Health Research, a CAHR intern, or a CAHR Learner Award, are italicized below.
To learn more about major research and evaluation funding agencies: cahr.sjcg.net/funding
Project Title
Investigators
Balancing between open access and equityoriented data collection: Developing implementation guidelines to advance mental health equity in digital solutions.
…
Hajin, L. (PI), Mushquash, A. R. (Co-I)
Building emotional awareness and mental wellbeing for Indigenous families: Cultural adaptation of a scalable digital mental health program to support intergenerational wellness.
…
Roos, L. (PI), Archibald, M. (Co-PI), Bennett, M., Fontaine, A., Hunter, S., LevasseurPuhach, S., Mushquash, C., Mushquash, A. R., Nijdam-Jones, A., Reynolds, K., TomfohrMadsen, L. (Co-Is).
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute of Community Support
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Project Grant
$9,960 20252026
$489,600 20252028
Project Title
Investigators
Co-designing, implementing, and evaluating Kickstand360: A Learning Health System …
Dimitropoulos, G. (Nominated Principal Applicant), Hay, K. (Principal Knowledge User), McCabe, E., Scott, S., Salami, B., Roach, P., Bright, K., Arnold, P., Bennett, M., Ferrari, M., Hews-Girard, J., Hilario, C., Seitz, D., Smith, K., Zwicker, J. (Principal Applicants), Greer, K., Sauerwein, J., Ewan, A., Khan, I., Pattison, R., Martens, H., Naqvi, F., Norman, L., Stewart, K., Vyse, T. (Knowledge Users), Aghajafari, F., Austin, A., Barbic, S., Borkenhagen, D., Burns, V., Chiodo, D., Clement, F., Cullen, O., Darnay, K., D’Silva, A., Moore, K., Everhart, A., Friese, K., Gunn, E., Glenn, N., Hickey, J., Hindmarch, W., Hodgins, D., Iyer, S., Jenney, A., Kimber, M., Leach, M., Marshall, Z., Melro, C., Messier, G., Milaney, K., Mushquash, C., Nicholas, D., Oster, R., Pauls, M., Rao, S., Santana, M., Singh, M., Sobrian, N., Szeto, A., Taylor, V., Thannhauser, J., Ungar, M., Vallianatos, H., Woodgate, R. (CoApplicants), Eagle Speaker, C., Jones, M., Okafor, O., Komolafe, P. (Collaborators).
Co-creating the "You're Doing It Right" podcast: Responding to the information needs of Canadian families
…
Roos, L. (PI), Mushquash, A. R. (Co-I)
Dandhigu Yimbana: Listening on country for social-emotional wellbeing
…
Saunders, V., McCalman, J., Woodland, S., Barclay, L., Matthews, V., Ellison, E., Cattoni, J.(PI), Sameshima, P., Russell, L., Nona, M. (Co-PI)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - IYS-Net Phase 2: Provincial/Territorial Networks
$2,509,790 20252029
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Insight Development Grant
Australian Research Council (ARC), Discovery Indigenous Grant
$71,800 2025–2027
$868,260 20252029
Project Title
Enhancing ESRD care: Muscle ultrasound for improved nutrition and function
…
Kisselgoff, D. (PI), Sanzo, P.
Evaluating the impact of peripheral nerve blocks on outcomes in hip fracture patients: A prospective cohort study in Northwestern Ontario
…
Bharathidasan, S., Marion, T., Yonus, S., Siddiqui, R., Dyukaryeva, V., Dubois, S.
Family matters: Understanding the broader impacts of occupational injury and disease
…
Maranzan, K. A. (PI), Bobrowski, T., Lefrancois, E., Mantis, S., Martinsen, J., Paterson, J., Tupker, J. (Co-Applicants)
From blind spots to bright spots: Insights from administrative records, coroner’s reports, and lived experiences to inform youth suicide prevention
…
Geoffroy, M. C., Garneau, M., Carrier, G., Haeck, C. M., Iyer, S., Kirmayer, L. J., Langevin, R., Mushquash, C., Levasseur, M., Robinson, J., Sicotte, R., Sinyor, M., Turecki, G. X., Wendt, D. C.
Helping our helpers in community …
McMahon, M., Maranzan, K. A., Oinonen, K., Tan, J., Mushquash, A. R.
Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA), Clinical Innovation Opportunity Fund
Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute 2025 Seed Funding
$57,376 2025
$10,000 2025
Enhancing the Prevention of Disability & Injury at Work (EPID@Work) Research Institute, Seed Funding
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), Project Grant
$20,500 20252026
$891,225 20252031
Bell Let’s Talk Community Mental Health Fund
$25,000 20252026
Project Title
Investigators
The Help in Hand program: Leveraging digital mental health technologies to support youth and schools in Northwestern Ontario
…
Mushquash, A. R., Mushquash, C.
Identifying and evaluating structural determinants of health outcomes when working with impoverished populations in Atlantic Canada
…
Kiepek, N., Chambers, K. (PI), Karabanow, J., Malfitano, A. P. S., Valavaara, K., Marval, B., Johnston, R., Wheaton, S., Kelly, L., Bowers, M., Gillett, P., St. Croix, C., Croft, M., O'Connor, T., Dawe, S., MacLachlan, J. (CoIs), Bonn, M. (Research Coordinator)
Identifying indicators of wellness-focused measurement based care among First Nation individuals seeking mental health treatment
…
Mushquash, C., Toombs, E. (Co-Is).
International framework steering group for recognizing red flags for potential serious spinal pathologies
…
Sanzo, P.
Health CanadaYouth Mental Health Fund
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Structural Determinants of Health Catalyst Grant, and Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM) Atlantic
$2,000,000 20252029
$99,870 2025
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support
Private Physiotherapy Education Foundation (PPef), United Kingdom
$25,000 20252026
$48,411 2025
Project Title
Investigators
Partnership for Artificial Intelligence and Quality of working lives and worker wellbeing (PAIQ)
…
Jetha, A. (PI), Arrandale, V., Bagheri, E., Banerjee, A., Birch, K., Biswas, A., Bonaccio, A., Cukier, W., Dobson, K., Frenette, M., Gignac, M., Hopwood, P., Irvin, E., Khan, N., Kristman, V. L., Loewen, P., MacEachen, E., Myers, J. E., Peters, S., Pinto, A., Rosella, L., Rowland, P., Rudzicz, F., Shaw, J., Smith, B., Smith, M. J., Smith, P., Sriharan, A., Treviranus, J., Vahid, S. F., Van Jaarsveld, D., Voiseux, G., Vold, K., Vu, V., Wu, N., Zuberi, D. (Co-Is
Predicting post operative recovery following total hip arthroplasty utilizing combined patient reported outcome measures, performance-based functional and clinical tests …
Puskas, D. (PI), Sanzo, P.
Prehabilitation for high-risk patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: A pilot block randomized control trial …
Cullinan, C., Lee, D., Blando, A., Freill, A., Siddiqui, R., Naeem, L., Dubois, S.
Reducing stigma through strategic disclosure: The Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) program
…
Maranzan, K. A. (Project Director), Pingani, L., Rüsch, N., Őri, D., Simonsen, C. (Collaborators)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Patnership Grant
$2,499,192 20252032
Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA), Clinical Innovation Opportunity Fund
$52,122 2025
Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA), AHSC AFP Innovation Fund Award
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Destination Horizon and Lakehead University
$60,000 2025
$29,869 20252026
Project Title
Investigators
(Re)envisioning and reinforcing data and learning health system capacities to advance services, research and policy for youth in Quebec and beyond …
Iyer, S., Mushquash, C.
The role of hormones in facial emotion recognition
…
Oinonen, K. (PI), Venkateshan, S. S., Boboc, B. (Co-Is)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - IYS-Net Phase 2: Provincial/Territorial Networks
National Sciences and Engineering Resaerch Council of Canada (NSERC), Senate Research Committee (SRC) Research Development Fund Award – Lakehead University
$1,749,790 20252029
$7,000 20252027
Structural determinants of Indigenous health and well-being in Quebec: Improving policy and practice pertaining to substance use health and harm reduction
…
Wendt, D., Phillips, M., Laliberté, A., Garneau, M. (PIs), Blanchet Garneau, A., Laventure, M., Marsan, S., Motta-Ochoa, R., Mushquash, C., Plourde, C., Bertrand, K., Charlong, P., Millaire, K. (Co-Is).
The status of delirium assessments by providers in a Canadian adult ICU setting: Agreement between the CHART-DEL-ICU and clinical CAM-ICU scores
…
George, P. (PI), Adduono, K., Dubois, S., Siddiqui, R., Costa, I., Koné, A., Boehm, L.
Through their eyes: A dual-perspective simulation on youth suicidality
DiCasmirro, J., Sabotig, C. (PI), Mushquash, A. R. (Mentor/Co-I)
Catalyst Grant: Moving UpstreamStructural Determinants of Health
$124,852 20252026
Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA), Clinical Innovation Opportunities Fund Award
Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario - Nursing Innovation Grant
$60,000 2025
$10,000 2025
Project Title
Investigators
Together towards bright futures: Strengthening network(s) to support Indigenous youth and communities through advancing, sharing and learning from wise practices, data and stories
…
Mushquash, C. (Nominated Principal Applicant), Hopkins, C., Restoule, B. (Principal Knowledge Users), Ballantyne, C., Barnes, K., Carlton, T., Chohaniuk, C., Cooper, M., Darnay, K., Dell, D., Dennis, T., Denny, J., Edwards, R., Fox-Recollet, H., Grandy, C., Hay, K., Horodecki, L., Hutt-MacLeod, D., Johnston, P., Manitowabi, A., Mathias, S., Mearns, C., Pattison, R., Piercey, M., Reimer, P., Sabattis, G., Sergerie-Saganash, J., Short, K., Sylliboy, M., Tinsley, M. (Knowledge Users), Dimitropoulos, G., Ferrari, M., Genereux, J., Henderson, J., King, A., Kowatch, K., Lucas, H., Madsen, V., Melro, C., Moar, M., Mushquash, A. R., Young, N. (Principal Applicants), Arnold, P., Augustine, L., Barbic, S., Bennett, M., Blanchet-Cohen, N., Bombay, A., Brass, G., Conrod, P., Cowan, T., Dejong, K., Froelich-Chow, A., Geoffroy, M. C., Goyette, M., Healey-Akearok, G., Iyer, S., King, M., Kirk, E., Leach, M., Legault, G., Liebenberg, L., Lindenback, D., MacDonald, K., Mitchell, C., Oster, R., Plourde, V., Poulin, P., Pullen-Sansfacon, A., Roach, P., Shah, J., Toombs, E., Wendt, D., Wood, B., Woodgate, R., Wozney, L. (Co-Applicants), Adelsheim, S., Austin, M., Bennett, T., Blackmore, S., Brown, K., Connors, E., Cuellar, E., DennySulliboy, A., Dixon, J., Eagle Speaker, C., Ens, S., Epp, N., Gilfoyle, M., Hill, M. E., Kahentonni Philips, M., Lingley-Pottie, P., Mercredi, D., Francis, M., Nadin, S., Pilarinos, A., Rabbitskin, N., Sam, J., Sock, C., Sveinson, P., Thomas-Kozar, S., Velez, C., WalkerMelton, R. (Collaborators).
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - IYS-Net Phase 2: Indigenous Networks
$10,798,950 20252029
Trained in Canada: A national knowledge mobilization initiative to advance training and education in professional psychology
…
Climmie, E., Maranzan, K. A., Hagstrom, S.
Trained in Canada: A national knowledge mobilization initiative to advance training and education in professional psychology
…
Climmie, E., Maranzan, K. A., Hagstrom, S.
Transforming mental health education: A virtual reality simulation with conversational artificial intelligence for community-based suicide risk assessment and intervention
…
DiCasmirro, J., Sabotig, C. (PI), Mushquash, A. R. (Mentor/Co-I)
American Psychological Association, Board of Educational Affairs Conferences and Workshops Grant
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Connection Grant
$1,711 2025
$53,038 20252026
Canadian Alliance of Nurse Educators using SimulationMulti-Site Research Grant (CAN-Sim)
$2,500 20252027
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Publication in journals and books are one of the important ways in which research and evaluation findings are shared with the broader healthcare community. Peer review by experts in the field is a central part of the publication process. In 2025, members of Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) (in bold below) authored 50 peerreviewed publications. Learners, defined as a St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) Awardee in Applied Health Research, a CAHR intern, or a CAHR Learner Award recipient, are italicized below.
Athar, M., Saini, R., Chahal, S., Siddiqui, R., Littlefield, S., Naeem, L., Dubois, S., Droll, K., Marion, T. E., Puskas, D., & Cullinan, C. (2025). The effects of obesity on functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study Canadian journal of surgery, 68(3), E214–E220. https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.008524
Ball, G. D. C., Merdad, R., Birken, C. S., Cohen, T. R., Goodman, B., Hadjiyannakis, S., Hamilton, J., Henderson, M., Lammey, J., Morrison, K. M., Moore, S. A., Mushquash, A. R., Patton, I., Pearce, N., Ramjist, J. K., Rhyason Lebel, T., Timmons, B. W., Buchholz, A., Cantwell, J., … Johnston, B. C. (2025). Managing obesity in children: A clinical practice guideline. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 197(14), E372–E389. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.241456
Beagan, B. L., Kiepek, N., Lauckner, H., & Rushton, P. W. (2025). Openness to critique is essential. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2418
Bédard, M., Maxwell, H., Dubois, S., Schurr, S., Swoluk, C., Colosimo, A., Cummings, S., Weaver, B., & Stinchcombe, A. (2025). Serial trichotomization to determine fitness-to-drive: Results from a cohort of clients referred to a neurology program. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(3). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.050670
Bédard, M., Maxwell, H., Gélinas, I., Mazer, B., Naglie, G., Porter, M. M., Rapoport, M. J., Tuokko, H., Vrkljan, B., & Marshall, S. (2025). Low uptake of driver refresher courses by older adults: An examination of potential explanatory variables using the Candrive cohort. Journal of Transport & Health, 42, 102043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2025.102043
Bédard, M., Maxwell, H., Gibbons, C., Dubois, S., Weaver, B., & Middleton, R. (2025). A three-tiered comprehensive driving evaluation integrating a driving simulator test for drivers with borderline cognitive fitness-to-drive: Proof of concept. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 39(3), 479–499. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2025.2488122
Bedard, T., MacIsaac, A., Visser, B., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025). Linking the tendency for interpersonal victimhood, victim signaling, and narcissism: The need to be seen as a victim. Personality and Individual Differences, 251, 113597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113597
Charlton, J. K., Visser, B., MacIsaac, A., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025). Dark, emotional, and avoidant: An intensive longitudinal investigation of the dark tetrad and daily coping. Personality and Individual Differences, 247, 113440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113440
Charlton, J. L., Koppel, S., Stephens, A., Bédard, M., Howcroft, J., Darzins, P., Di Stefano, M., Gagnon, S., Gelinas, I., Man-Son-Hing, M., Myers, A., Naglie, G., Porter, M. M., Rapoport, M., Vrkljan, B., & Marshall, S. (2025). Validation of the Candrive older driver risk stratification tool for assessing medical fitness-to-drive in older Australian drivers. Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 80(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaf071
Charlton, J., Malik, I., Ashley, A., Newton, A., Toombs, E., Schmidt, F., Olthuis, J., Stasiuk, K., Bobinski, T., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025). Identifying the minimal clinically important difference in emotion regulation among youth using the JoyPopTM app: Pilot study. JMIR Formative Research, 9, e64483. https://doi.org/10.2196/64483
Crocker, P. R. E., Rhodes, R. E., Schellenberg, B., Gotwals, J., & Sedgwick, W. A. (2025). Personality in sport and exercise. In P. R. E. Crocker, C. Sabiston, & McDonough, M. (Eds.), Sport and exercise psychology: A Canadian perspective (5th ed., pp. 23-43). Pearson.
Crouch, M., Gignac, M., Hamdani, Y., Shadaan, R., Nasir, K., Smith, P., Kristman, V. L., & Jetha, A. (2025). Calling it like they see it? Young adults’ discourses of employment and labour market inequalities. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 45(9),1-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-03-2025-0155
Dimitropoulos, G., Nicula, M., Krishnapillai, A., Austin, A., Singh, M., Lee, J., Webb, C., Scott, S., Vieira de Almeida, A. C., Bergmann, C., Vander Steen, H., Kimber, M., Mushquash, C., Norman, L., Sauerwein, J., Keshen, A., Boachie, A., Toulany, A., Levinson, A., … Couturier, J. (2025). Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: A Canadian guideline. Journal of Eating Disorders, 13(1), 158. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01343-6
Dimitropoulos, G., Singh, M., Mushquash, C., Kimber, M., Hutt-MacLeod, D., Moore, E. K., Perri, A., Webb, C., Norman, L., Sauerwein, J., Nicula, M., & Couturier, J. (2025). TransitionED: A protocol for co-designing and implementing Canadian practice guidelines for transitions for youth with eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 33(6), 1175–1189. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.3026
Hill, A. P., & Gotwals, J. K. (2025). A meta-analysis of multidimensional perfectionism and imposter phenomenon. Journal of Research in Personality, 118, 104639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2025.104639
Hunt, M. G., Aggarwal, P., Bootes, K., Cummings, J., Daniel, K. E., Davila, J., Kapoulea, E. A., Larson, C. L., & Maranzan, K. A. (2025). Report of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP) burnout task force: Workload, burnout, and emotional health in clinical psychological trainees. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 19(2), 85–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000496
Jeffries, L., Liu, M., Sanzo, P., Przysucha, E., & Zerpa, C. (2025). Shielding the skull: Exploring the influence of facial protection, impact location and neck stiffness on hockey helmet safety during a linear impact. International Journal of Exercise Science, 18(7), 343–362. https://doi.org/10.70252/REVL1750
Johnson, D. L., Mushquash, A. R., Sinden, K., Wachter, L., & Pearson, E. (2025). Impact of a virtual workshop on mental health literacy and self-efficacy among Canadian post-secondary educators. Health Promotion International, 40(2), daaf025. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf025
Joyce, K. M., McHardy, R. J. W., Penner, K. E., MacKinnon, A. L., Rioux, C., Katz, L. Y., Reynolds, K., Kelly, L. E., Afifi, T. O., Mushquash, A. R., Clement, F. M., Chartier, M., Tomfohr-Madsen, L., & Roos, L. E. (2025). Feasibility of the Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM) eHealth program for mothers of infants when delivered in partnership with a community collaborator: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000475
Koscielniak, A., Zur Nedden, N., Shergill, Y., Trudeau, T., Read, M., Benson, A., Ray, L., Smith, A., McEwen, V., Francis, P., Falcigno, A., Drawson, T., Furlan, A., Mushquash, C., & Poulin, P. (2025). Two-eyed seeing in action: Project extension for community health outcomes –Indigenous chronic pain & substance use. Canadian Journal of Pain, 8(2), 2469213. https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2025.2469213
Liaukovich, A., Matharoo, A. K., Burns, V. F., Wetmore, R., Snow, C., & Kiepek, N. (2025). Alcohol in context: Alcohol experiences among first-year residence-dwelling students at two Canadian universities. Contemporary Drug Problems https://doi.org/10.1177/00914509251393876
Lionel, G. J., Derbowka, R., Sreetharan, S., Bel, J., Dougherty, J., Boreham, D. R., Tai, T. C., Thome, C., Lees, S. J., & Tharmalingam, S. (2025). Plasma miRNAome profiling reveals candidate biomarkers for low- and high-dose whole-body ionizing radiation exposure. Dose-Response, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/15593258251391602
MacIsaac, A., Neufeld, T., Malik, I., Toombs, E., Olthuis, J., Schmidt, F., Dunning, C., Stasiuk, K., Bobinski, T., Ohinmaa, A., Stewart, S. H., Newton, A., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025). Increasing access to mental health supports for 18–25-year-old Indigenous youth with the JoyPop mobile mental health app: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 14, e64745. https://doi.org/10.2196/64745
Malik, I., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025). Acceptance of a mental health app (JoyPopTM) for postsecondary students: A prospective evaluation using the UTAUT2. Frontiers in Digital Health, 7, 1503428. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1503428
Malik, I., Neufeld, T., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025). Usability and quality of the JoyPopTM app: A prospective evaluation study. JMIR Human Factors, 12, e65472. https://doi.org/10.2196/65472
Mallinson-Howard, S., Hill, A. P., Grugan, M., Madigan, D., & Gotwals, J. K. (2025). The CASES expert statement on measuring perfectionism in sport and exercise. The Sport and Exercise Scientist. https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/12137/2/cases_tses_summer_25___expert_statement8.pdf
Mathias, H., Jackson, L. A., Buxton, J. A., Dubé, A., Kiepek, N., MacDonald, J., Martin, F., & Smith, J. (2025). Features of drug addiction treatment programs in Atlantic Canada that help (or not) with access and retention: A qualitative study. PloS one, 20(8), e0328524. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328524
Maxwell, H., Dubois, S., Mazmanian, D., Ozen, L., Gibbons, C., & Bédard, M. (2025). Mindfulnessbased cognitive therapy for depression after traumatic brain injury: Responders’ characteristics. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 18, e7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X24000485
Melro, C., Gilfoyle, M., Ballantyne, C., Augustine, L., Brass, G., Rabbitskin, N., Hutt-Macleod, D., Iyer, S. N., & Mushquash, C. (2025). Engaging Indigenous partners in health service transformation: A framework for sustained engagement built on trust. Research Involvement and Engagement, 11, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-025-00721-3
Melro, C., MacDonald, K., Cowan, T., Restoule, B., Connors, T., Marandola, G., Mushquash, C., & Iyer, S. (2025). Integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into learning health systems: Moving from learning health systems to learning communities. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 0(0). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437251380734
Miranda, F., Vasconcelos dos Santos, B., Kristman, V. L., & Mininel, V. (2025). Employing Kirkpatrick’s framework to evaluate nurse training: An integrative review. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 33, e4431. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7250.4431
Porter, J. A., Barss, T. S., Mann, D. J., Karamzadeh, Z., Okusanya, D. O., Hemakumara, S. G., Zehr, E. P., Klarner, T., & Mushahwar, V. K. (2025). Pushing the limits of interlimb connectivity: Neuromodulation and beyond. Biomedicines, 13(5), 1228. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051228
Puskas, J., Guda, T., Niccoli, S., Rathbone, C. R., Tan-Johnson, B., Puskas, D., Middleton, R., Otis, J. S., & Lees, S. J. (2025). Preclinical assessment of the selective androgen receptor modulator RAD140 to increase muscle mass and bone mineral density. Physiological Reports, 13(14), e70463. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70463
Quelch, J., Aden, M., Toombs, E., Sanders, C., Sinoway, C., Mushquash, C., Barkman, L., Deschamps, M., Pooyak, S., Young, M., Gauvin, H., & Benoit, A. C. (2025). Understanding the circle of care: Indigenous service providers’ perspectives on health and well-being. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801251319274
Raynak, A., Bédard, M., Wood, B., & Mushquash, C. (2025). Adapting the alcohol and alcohol problems perception questionnaire and the drug and drug problems perception questionnaire: A psychometric analysis of a person-centred approach. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 16, 100366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100366
Sameshima, P., Lee, C., & Tsun Haggarty, H. (2025). Where are we? Finding a Canadian curriculum. Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies, 21(2), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.25071/1916-4467.40915
Sanzo, P., Agostino, M., Fidler, W., Lawrence-Dewar, J., Pearson, E., Zerpa, C., Niccoli, S., & Lees, S. J. (2025). Shockwave therapy and fibromyalgia and its effect on pain, blood markers, imaging, and participant experience - a multidisciplinary randomized controlled trial. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 41(1), 99–114. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2321503
Schellenberg, B., Gotwals, J. K., Verner-Filion, J., & Gaudreau, P. (2025). The model of excellencism and perfectionism with athletes: A look at measurement and associations with well-being and performance satisfaction. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000400
Sharma, V., Palagini, L., & Mazmanian, D. (2025). Conclusion and recommendations for research. In V. Sharma & L. Palagini (Eds.), Sleep and perinatal psychiatric disorders: A comprehensive guide for clinicians and researchers (pp. 207-229). Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-95948-6
Sharma, V., Wood, K. N., Cha, B., & Mazmanian, D. (2025). Is postpartum bipolar disorder a distinct diagnostic entity?. Bipolar Disorders, 27(4), 268–269. https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.70032
Siddiqui, H. B., Nearing, G., Regalado, S. M., Delaney, K. Z., & Cameron, E. (2025). A scoping review of obesity educational interventions in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Obesity Reviews, 26(9), e13938. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13938
Simpson, K. M., McHardy, R. J. W., Zhou, J. G., Levasseur-Puhach, S., Côté, C. M., Braun, M., Clement, F., MacKinnon, A. L., Nickel, N., Afifi, T. O., Giesbrecht, G. F., Giuliano, R., Katz, L. Y., Kelly, L. E., Klassen, T. P., Lebel, C., Mushquash, A. R., Reynolds, K., Decaire, E., Mughal, W., … Roos, L. E. (2025). Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM): Study protocol for a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial of the BEAM app-based program for parents with clinical mental health problems. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1), 567. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-02506964-4
Skov, B., Ashley, A., Malik, I., Storrs, H., Toombs, E., & Mushquash, C. (2025). The relationship between culture and the modifiable risk factors of dementia among Indigenous peoples in Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand: A scoping review protocol. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251315394
Spiroiu, F. I., & Maranzan, K. A. (2025). Cognitive-emotional impact of negative interpretations of ambiguous social information and fear of negative evaluation on the association between intolerance of uncertainty and social anxiety subtypes: A cross-sectional mediation analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 66(6), 882–896. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.13115
Sreetharan, S., King, T., Thome, C., Khaper, N., Boreham, D. R., Tharmalingam, S., Lees, S. J., & Tai, T. C. (2025). Growth restriction in Balb/c mice irradiated with X-rays during late gestation: Role of irradiation timing, dose fractionation and adaptive response. Dose-Response, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/15593258251395327
Sreetharan, S., Puukila, S., Lalonde, C., Pirkkanen, J., Woloschak, G. E., Paunesku, T., Brooks, A. L., McNeill, F. E., Thome, C., Boreham, D. R., Lees, S. J., Tharmalingam, S., & Tai, T. C. (2025). Comparison of acute and protracted gamma irradiation effects during perinatal development in beagle dogs. Radiation Research, 203(2), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1667/RADE-24-00080.1
Sreetharan, S., Tharmalingam, S., Hourtovenko, C., Tubin, F., McTiernan, C. D., Thome, C., Khaper, N., Boreham, D. R., Lees, S. J., & Tai, T. C. (2025). Whole transcriptome analysis of the mouse placenta following radiation-induced growth restriction. Radiation, 5(4), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation5040035
Stinchcombe, A., Hopper, S., Gagnon, S., & Bédard, M. (2025). Factors influencing transitions from driver to non-driver: Evidence from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Canadian Journal on Aging, 44(4), 565–571. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980825100184
Toombs, E., Skov, B., Campbell, M., Lund, J., & Mushquash, C. (2025). A scoping review of Indigenous community-based research practices, guidelines, and ethical standards. Canadian Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-025-01090-w
Venkateshan, S. S., & Oinonen, K. A. (2025). Facial emotion recognition accuracy in women with symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome: Reduced fear and disgust perception. Women's Health (WHE), 21. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057251359761
Peer-Reviewed Presentations
Presentations (e.g., poster, podium) provide the opportunity to present and discuss research and evaluation findings. They are an essential means of exchanging information amongst other professionals. Over the course of 2025, a total of 55 peer-reviewed presentations were presented at national and international conferences by Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) members (as listed below with CAHR members bolded). Learners, defined as a St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) Awardee in Applied Health Research, a CAHR intern, or a CAHR Learner Award recipient, are italicized below.
Ashley, A., Neufeld, T., Dallaire, K., Droll, W., Toivonen, B., Pearson, E., Schmidt, F., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025, June). Adding JoyPopTM: Evaluating an e-mental health app as a complementary tool alongside treatment for youth [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Austin, A., Melro, C., Mushquash, C., Iyer, S., & Dimitropoulos, G. (2025, September). Prevention and early intervention of eating difficulties in Indigenous young people. [Conference presentation]. International Conference on Early Intervention and Prevention in Mental Health, Berlin, Germany.
Bédard, M., Maxwell, H., Gibbons, C., Dubois, S., Weaver, B., & Middleton, R. (2025, May). A threetiered driving evaluation integrating a driving simulator test for drivers with borderline cognitive fitness-to-drive: Proof of concept [Oral presentation]. Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Bentz, T., Venkateshan, S. S., Boboc, B., Etienne-Power, K., & Oinonen, K. (2025, October). Sexual orientation may affect the intensity of facial emotions required for correct emotion detection in women [Poster presentation]. Association of Psychological Science Global Psychological Science Summit, online.
Campbell, S., Maxwell, H., Dubois, S., Weaver, B., & Bédard, M. (2025, May). A survey of Canadians’ beliefs, cannabis use behaviours and decision-making processes related to cannabis and driving [Conference presentation]. Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Campbell, S., Dubois, S., Maxwell, H., Weaver, B., & Bédard, M. (2025, May). Examining the role of THC alone and in combination with alcohol in fatal USA crashes over the past three decades: Prevalence and crash risk [Oral presentation]. Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Campbell, S., Maxwell, H., Dubois, S., Liu, B., Weaver, B., & Bédard, M. (2025, February). A survey of Canadians' beliefs, cannabis use behaviours and decision-making processes related to cannabis and driving [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Charlton, J., Ashley, A., Wekerle, C., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025, June). The effects of video and app games on emotion regulation in youth: A scoping review [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Christie, M., Seligman, D., Chahal, S., Naeem, L., Siddiqui, R., Dubois, S., Dyukaryeva, V., Killip, M., & Marion, T. (2025, June). Hip-fracture AdVerse Event Severity system (HAVES): Validating an adaptation of the OrthoSAVES Tool [Virtual poster presentation]. 2025 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Orthopedic Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Coffey, S., & Sanzo, P. (2025, February). The effects of ankle taping on youth basketball players’ vertical jump height and ground reaction forces before and after a sport-specific activity [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Curci, A., Fredrickson, K., Blackmore, S., Li, M., Mushquash, A. R., Mushquash, C., Iyer, S., & Melro, C. M. (2025, March). Fostering inclusion and meaningful engagement: A scoping review on training and supporting Indigenous youth in co-developing research [Poster presentation]. International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) 2025, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Czechowski, C. J., & Oinonen, K. (2025, February). Intermittent self-catheterization: Does disclosure affect perceptions and friendship intentions? [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Ellis, R., Zeng, I., Jull, G., de Ruijter, R., Finucane, L., Lascelles, R., Röscher, P., & Sanzo, P. (2025, May). International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT’s) educational standards and international monitoring: A member survey and review [Poster presentation]. World Physiotherapy Congress, Tokyo, Japan.
Epp, N., Melro, C., Iyer, S., & Mushquash, C. (2025, May). Promoting the Engagement of Indigenous Boys and Men in Mental Health Services: A Scoping Review [Poster presentation]. Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research Convention, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Epp, N., Melro, C., Iyer, S., & Mushquash, C. (2025, October). Exploring Mental Health Services and Supports for Indigenous Boys and Men: A Scoping Review [Conference presentation]. 2025 National Gathering of Graduate Students, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Epp, N., Melro, C., Iyer, S., & Mushquash, C. (2025, October). Exploring Mental Health Services and Supports for Indigenous Boys and Men: A Scoping Review [Conference presentation]. 2025 Indigenous Wellbeing Gathering Conference, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Etienne-Power, K., Boboc, B., Venkateshan, S. S., Bentz, T., & Oinonen, K. (2025, February). Identifying predictors of intrauterine device (IUD) ever-use in a largely Northwestern Ontario student sample [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Fabiano, M., Mushquash, A. R., Gotwals, J. K., & Pearson, E. (2025, October). The SHINE (Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise) program: Examining peer support as an exercise promotion tool among undergraduate initiates through a self-determination theory lens [Conference presentation]. The Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Fabiano, M., Mushquash, A. R., Gotwals, J. K., & Pearson, E. (2025, March). The SHINE (Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise) program: A pilot study examining the impact of peer-support on motivation in a 6-week intervention for undergraduate women initiates [Conference presentation]. Eastern Canada Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, London, Ontario, Canada.
Fabiano, M., Mushquash, A. R., Gotwals, J. K., & Pearson, E. (2025, March). The SHINE program: A pilot study examining mentorship as an exercise promotion tool among undergraduate women initiates [Conference presentation]. Crossroads Interdisciplinary Health Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Hagstrom, S., Ouimet, A. J., Phillips, M., & Slonim, N. (2025, June). Operationalizing the new CPA accreditation standards and infusion of the values into professional psychology programs: Creating community through sharing resources [Oral presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Maranzan, K. A. (2025, June). Ethics update. In Heath, O., Teaching ethics effectively in psychology [Symposium]. Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Henson, K., Klarner, T., Bogacki, J., Przysucha, E., & Roy, C. (2025, March). Evaluation of 'Keep Moving' at the Canada Games Complex [Oral presentation]. Crossroads Interdisciplinary Health Research Conference 2025, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Hourtovenko, C., Sreetharan, S., Khaper, N., Lees, S. J., Thone, C., Boreham, D. R., Lalonde, C., Tharmalingham, S., & Tai, T. C. (2025, June). Effects of gestational irradiation on fetal brain development [Oral presentation]. Northern Health Research Conference, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Kabir, U. S., & Kristman, V. L. (2025, August). The association between pre-existing mental health and developmental conditions and post-concussion functional impairment and disability [Poster presentation]. Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Kabir, U. S., Czechowski, C. J., & Kristman, V. L. (2025, February). Needs assessment of workplace mental health during the COVID-19 in Northwestern Ontario [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Kabir, U. S., & Kristman, V. L. (2025, February). Police officer’s mental health during COVID-19: A cross-sectional analysis [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Kiepek, N., Cox, C., Bonn, M., Hayden, J., Murphy, A., & Wildman, S. (2025, August). Reconciling perspectives on drugs across law professionals, health professionals, and Canadians who use drugs [Oral presentation]. Contemporary Drug Problems, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Kiepek, N., Murphy, A., Hayden, J., Wildeman, S., Cox, C., Bonn, M., LeBlanc, J., & Sholdice, K-A. (2025, November). Hopes for the future: Converging perspectives among Canadians who use substances, law professionals, and health professionals [Oral presentation]. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction’s (CCSA) Issues of Substance, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Kristman, V. L., & Jabbar, M. (2025, June). The Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study: Preliminary findings [Podium presentation]. Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health 2025 Conference, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Kristman, V. L., & Jabbar, M. (2025, August). The Northwestern Ontario Workplace and Worker Health Study: Preliminary findings [Podium presentation]. Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Lee, C., Farahvash, A., Smith, S., Clark, M., Zezos, A., Siddiqui, R., Dubois, S., Rumbolt, C., Green, J., & Zezos, P. (2025, February–March). Patterns of inflammatory bowel diseases in Northwestern Ontario [Poster presentation]. Joint Canadian Digestive Diseases Week™ and Canadian Liver Meeting (CDDW™-CLM) Conference 2025, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Lindsey, E., & Sanzo, P. (2025, February). Percussive massage improves cervical spine range of motion but not its strength [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Lindsey, E., & Sanzo, P. (2025, May). Percussive massage improves cervical spine range of motion but not its strength [Poster presentation]. World Physiotherapy Congress, Tokyo, Japan.
Lynds, T., Skov, B., Hicks, L., & Mushquash, C. (2025, February). Exploring wholistic risk and protective factors for alcohol use among First Nations peoples living in Canada [Poster presentation]. 2025 Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Lynds, T., Skov, B., Hicks, L., & Mushquash, C. (2025, June). Exploring wholistic risk and protective factors for alcohol use among First Nations peoples living in Canada [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
MacIsaac, A., Charlton, J. K., Bedard, T., McQueen, M., Chambers, L., Visser, B., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025, June). The relationship between the tendency for interpersonal victimhood (TIV) and interpersonal stress and trauma: Findings from daily diary and online survey studies [Oral presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Mann, V., Dsouza, M., Stewart, H., McQueen, M., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025, June). Optimizing recruitment, retention, and engagement in digital mental health intervention trials: Insights from the JoyPopTM app RCT [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Melro, C., Cuellar, E., Mushquash, C., & Iyer, S. N. (2025, March). Exploring Indigenous community innovations to develop wise practices for service transformation [Symposium presentation]. International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) 2025, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Melro, C. M., Ballantyne, C., Iyer, S., & Mushquash, C. (2025, March). Building trust within a participatory Indigenous youth mental health network with Indigenous youth, family, and community partners [Symposium presentation]. International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) 2025, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Miller, A., & Kristman, V. L. (2025, February). A cross-sectional analysis of Nurses’ work environments, burnout, and mental health disorders in Northwestern Ontario (NWO) [Podium presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Miller, A., & Kristman, V. L. (2025, February). Nurses' practice environments, burnout, and mental health in Northwestern Ontario [Rapid presentation]. Creating Healthy Work Environments 2025 Conference by Sigma Nursing, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America.
Muhajir, K., Schiff, R., Bédard, M., & Brink, P. (2025, June). Housing and health of asylum seekers and refugees in Canada: A cross-sectional study [Poster presentation]. Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Mushquash, A. R., & Roos, L. (2025, November). Hype or help? Grounding digital mental health supports in evidence for families [Oral presentation]. eMental Health International Collaborative - 10th Annual Digital Mental Health Global Congress, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Mushquash, A. R. (2025, November). Collaborative clinical trials - App-based tools to support First Nations youth waiting for treatment. In A. Greenshaw (Chair), Co-designing AI and digital tools for Indigenous wellbeing [Oral presentation]. eMental Health International Collaborative - 10th Annual Digital Mental Health Global Congress, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Naeem, L., Seligman, D., Siddiqui, R., Christie, M., Killip, M., Dubois, S., Marion, T., & Dyukaryeva, V. (2025, June). The epidemiology of hip fracture patients from a geographically dispersed northern Canadian community [Virtual poster presentation]. 2025 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Orthopedic Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Neufeld, T., Traer, A., Ranta-Diegel, A., McQueen, M., Wyman, J., Malik, I., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025, June). Talking all things JoyPopTM: Qualitative examination using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Prochnicki, B., Lees, S. J., Zerpa, C., Puskas, D., Cullinan, C., Droll, K., Marion, T., & Sanzo, P. (2025, February). Functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty utilizing lifestyle risk factors and comorbidities on performance-based tests [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Radford, A., Hicks, L., Kidd, S., & Mushquash, C. (2025, February). Best practices in stabilizing youth housing trajectories: A national practice scan and evidence summary [Partial session presentation]. International Conference on the Prevention of Youth Homelessness, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Skov, B., Ashley, A., Malik, I., Storrs, H., Toombs, E., & Mushquash, C. (2025, June). The relationship between culture and the modifiable risk factors of dementia among Indigenous peoples in Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand: A scoping review [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Stern, A., Malik, I., Traer, A., & Mushquash, A. R. (2025, February). Improving coping flexibility among postsecondary students with the JoyPop™ mental health app [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Storrs, H., & Maranzan, K. A. (2025, June). Understanding familiarity: Intimacy’s role in public stigma towards mental illness [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Venkateshan, S. S., Bentz, T., Boboc, B., Etienne-Power, K., & Oinonen, K. (2025, February). Young adults from sexual minority groups in Northwestern Ontario report more adverse childhood events than peers [Poster presentation]. Showcase of Health Research, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Wadhwa, A., Pearson, E., Klarner, T., Shillington, K., & Zerpa, C. (2025, March). "It's definitely a sense of community": Exploring perceptions of culturally inclusive physical activity class engagement among older adults [Podium Presentation]. The Eastern Canada Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium, London, Ontario, Canada.
Wright, A., & Sanzo, P. (2025, March). The effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on bone mineral density in an osteoporotic rat model [Poster presentation]. Crossroads Interdisciplinary Health Research Conference 2025, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
CAHR Membership
As of December 31, 2025
To learn about the benefits of the Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) membership: cahr.sjcg.net/membership
Aislin Mushquash
Alexandra Drawson
Amanda Maranzan
Andrea Raynak
Bruce Weaver
Bryan MacLeod
Carrie Gibbons
Chiachen Cheng
Christopher Mushquash
Deborah Scharf
Denise Taylor
Donna Garstin
Dwight Mazmanian
Elaine Wiersma
Elaine Toombs
Elizabeth HouldingBraunberger
Elyse Cottrell-Martin
Erin Pearson
Eryk Przysucha
Greg Carfagnini
Hadi Shojaei
Hillary Maxwell
Jo-Ann Vis
John Gotwals
Kirsten Oinonen
Michel Bédard
Mirella Stroink
Najam Syed
Natalie Mullin-Belanger
Niki Kiepek
Paolo Sanzo
Pauline Sameshima
Rebecca Schiff
Rupert Klein
Ryan Iwanicki
Sacha Dubois
Sara Hagstrom
Shanna Anness
Shanuga Rajkumar
Shayna Cummings
Shevaun Nadin
Simon Lees
Simran Bedi
Sophie Regalado
Stacey Freemantle
Stephanie Schurr
Taryn Klarner
Thangarajah Akilan
Tricia Murdoch
Vicki Kristman
