Women's Health Research Institute

11/10/2025

Welcome to Misinformation Mondays: a 5-part series where we delve into strategies that researchers can use to combat misinformation. Across the series we’ll be sharing resources to help you fight mis- and disinformation online and in your communities. This week’s topic is pre-bunking!

The internet gives us access to endless information at our fingertips — but what’s easy to find isn’t always accurate. Misinformation often spreads faster than reliable information.

Think of pre-bunking as a vaccine against misinformation. Instead of reacting after false claims spread, pre-bunking helps people recognize misinformation before they believe it.

How it works:
1️⃣ Share credible, data-backed information early that can help disprove misinformation that may surface later.
2️⃣ Provide warnings and reminders to about the types of misinformation people might encounter on a subject.

Pre-bunking works best in doses — revisit topics and offer gentle reminders.
Learn more about pre-bunking and how to address misinformation when you encounter it: https://whri.org/misinformation-monday-pre-bunking/

11/10/2025

11/07/2025

Our upcoming BC Women’s Research Rounds will feature Dr. Sarah Munro and Dr. Madeleine Ennis who will speak on “Re-Imagining Contraception Costs in Canada: Results of the ‘Ask Us’ Youth Participatory Action Research Project.”

When: Friday, November 21 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Location: Zoom

Dr. Munro and Dr. Ennis will identify system-level barriers and facilitators that youth encounter when choosing contraception care in Canada.

We look forward to seeing you there. For more information: https://whri.org/news-events/bc-womens-hospital-virtual-research-rounds/

11/07/2025

Join the WHRI and BCCHR this Digital Health Week (November 17–23) for our upcoming CW Research Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, November 19, from 12-1pm.

Jonath Sujan, Business Operations Manager for Integrated Research Informatics Services (IRIS) and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (ADSU) Unit at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), and interim IT Manager at BCCHR will present “Navigating the AI Revolution in Healthcare Research.”

Learn how different AI technologies and tools can be applied to healthcare research.

Zoom details: https://whri.org/news-events/whri-lunch-learn-series/

11/06/2025

Have you missed our recent CW Research Lunch & Learn sessions? Catch up on all presentations on our YouTube Channel!

In collaboration with the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), the WHRI hosts monthly virtual CW Research Lunch & Learn sessions designed to build awareness of our services and strengthen research capacity among staff, trainees, and members.

Discover the benefits of WHRI membership and how we can support your research. Watch the full series today: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBXuEFdtqeB_Jb3Ud7ySuQTlSrWsyfDJJ

11/03/2025

The Women’s Health Research Institute is thrilled to announce a $300,000 donation from Pacific Blue Cross to launch the Menopause + Midlife Health Program at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre — the first program of its kind in Western Canada.

This program will provide much-needed clinical care for women and gender-diverse people with severe or disruptive menopause symptoms, making care more accessible than ever.

The donation builds on WHRI’s Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia (HER-BC) Report (2024), created in partnership with BC Women's Health Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross, which highlighted major health and knowledge gaps for people in midlife across BC.

"Pacific Blue Cross’s generous gift is helping us close critical gaps in care for women in midlife," said Cally Wesson, President & CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation. "Their leadership shows how philanthropy can change lives and create healthier futures for women in BC."

📸 From left to right: Sarah Hoffman (President & CEO, Pacific Blue Cross), Karen Kerr (Board Chair, BC Women’s Health Foundation), and Cally Wesson (President & CEO, BC Women’s Health Foundation).

11/01/2025

Dr. Kerstin Gustafson, WHRI member and medical director of BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre's Complex Menopause Clinic, was invited to the CTV Vancouver studio to talk about menopausal hormone therapies, including key benefits and safety considerations.

Watch Dr. Gustafson’s full interview: https://whri.org/in-the-media-dr-kerstin-gustafson-on-hormone-therapy-for-menopause/

BC Women's Health Foundation

10/31/2025

As we conclude Menopause Awareness Month, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who engaged with us, shared their experiences, and took part in the Mapping Menopause Survey. Your voices are helping shape the future of menopause care and research in BC.

The insights gathered will inform the development of a Research Agenda for Menopause and Midlife Women’s Health — a collaborative effort between the Women’s Health Research Institute and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.

This Agenda will integrate multidisciplinary feedback, identify key research priorities to support healthy aging, and guide future engagement strategies. Together, we’re building a foundation for a learning health system — one where evidence-based care and continuous improvement strengthen support for those experiencing menopause.

Thank you for being part of this important conversation and for helping us map the path forward for women’s health.

The Mapping Menopause Survey is still accepting submissions! Share your experience and help shape the future of menopause care and research in BC: https://whri.org/our-initiatives/mapping-menopause/

10/30/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Monika Kowatsch, WHRI trainee member and one of Michael Smith Health Research BC’s 2025 Research Trainee Award recipients!

Dr. Kowatsch’s project focuses on hormones and inflammation among women living with HIV.

She is among 35 exceptional BC-based health researchers recognized this year for their innovative work tackling diverse health challenges — including brain and heart health, cancer and infectious diseases, mental health and substance use, and health equity.

The Research Trainee Program supports health researchers in the training phase of their careers, enabling career development and strengthening BC’s health research landscape for the future.

Learn more about Dr. Kowatsch’s research: https://healthresearchbc.ca/news_article/announcing-the-2025-research-trainee-awardees/

10/30/2025

Attention all full-time research trainees in women’s health care!

The fall deadline for the WHRI Trainee Travel Grant is approaching on November 28, 2025. There are five grants available, each valued up to $1000 to support full-time research trainees to travel to national or international meetings.

Submission Deadline:

Fall deadline: Nov 28, 2025 (5 grants), for travel between July 1, 2025 and Dec 31, 2025.

➡️ Submit your name, supervisor, and title of the abstract to (whri_awards@cw.bc.ca).

➡️ Apply now: https://whri.org/our-services/womens-health-research-institute-trainee-travel-grant-competition/

10/27/2025

Now Hiring: Research Projects Manager, Digital Health

Are you an experienced professional passionate about advancing digital health and improving women’s and newborn health? The Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) is seeking a Research Projects Manager to join the Digital Health Team and lead strategic initiatives that drive innovation, collaboration, and impact across British Columbia.

This full-time, onsite position will build capacity for a women’s health focused digital health strategy within the WHRI and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. The role facilitates and promotes an environment that values innovation, teamwork, and partnership—both within WHRI and with external collaborators.

In this leadership role, you’ll support digital research projects and represent women’s health interests on provincial digital health committees. Having a strong familiarity with digital health approaches and sectors that support and/or intersect with digital health is desired.

Apply by: November 3, 2025
Location: BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre

Apply now and join us in shaping the future of equitable and impactful digital health innovation: https://jobs.phsa.ca/job/vancouver/research-projects-manager-digital-health-women-s-health-research-institute-bc-women-s-hospital-and-/909/87730590000

10/24/2025

Let’s Talk Menopause!

This Menopause Awareness Month, we’re spotlighting the Mapping Menopause Project—a province-wide initiative working to close knowledge gaps and improve care for people experiencing menopause.

In collaboration with healthcare providers, researchers, and people with lived experience, we’re developing a “Research Agenda for Menopause and Midlife Women’s Health”. The Mapping Menopause survey will help inform this agenda, guiding future research and supporting evidence-based care at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.

BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre offers menopause resources, a dedicated Complex Menopause Clinic, and a bi-monthly ‘Hot Topics Webinar Series’, created in partnership with the Women’s Health Research Institute and the BC Women's Health Foundation.

Participate in the Mapping Menopause Survey today: https://whri.org/our-initiatives/mapping-menopause/

Explore the Complex Menopause Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre: https://www.bcwomens.ca/our-services/menopause-midlife-health/complex-menopause-clinic