About us
Carolyn, Morgan and Subiksha’s Capstone puts into practice their shared passion for improving access to healthcare. They are collaborating with The Hamilton Family Health Team, who has championed the launch of a Primary Healthcare Program in Hamilton’s Keith neighbourhood. The program aims to address health disparities in the Keith community; key stakeholder engagement will be used to develop a program model of care that is responsive and context-appropriate. As the Keith neighbourhood is a current healthcare desert, this research fits within a greater context of improving residents’ health and social outcomes by increasing their access to primary care.
Background
Between 2010 and 2019, the Hamilton Spectator published the Code Red Series, an investigative report aimed to uncover and track disparities in health outcomes between all Hamilton neighbourhoods. It has revealed that Lower Central Hamilton, which includes the Keith neighbourhood, has some of the worst socioeconomic variables among all Hamilton communities regarding income, high school dropout rates, and number of individuals using government financial aid. In addition, the Keith neighbourhood is a health desert; there are only two primary care clinics for approximately 68,000 residents, leading to a high percentage of unattached patients and worsened health outcomes. Among the 12 health outcomes that were evaluated, Lower Central Hamilton had one of the lowest average lifespans, highest average hospital and urgent hospital admission rate per 1000 people, highest emergency room visit rate per 1000 people and the highest percentage of unattached patients.The Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT) has championed the launch of a Primary Healthcare Program in the Eva Rothwell Centre (ERC)- a community hub within the Keith neighborhood. The clinic is set to open in Spring 2024. In partnership with the HFHT and ERC, the Capstone project is focused on engaging with key stakeholders to: 1) describe the current health and health-related social needs of Keith neighbourhood residents, 2) identify key considerations for the provision of health and social services to residents of Lower Central Hamilton, and 3) develop a model of care for the Primary Healthcare Program that is responsive and context-appropriate to the needs of the Keith neighborhood community.The proposed model of care will be culturally sensitive, trauma informed, and based on the characteristics of the residents and the sociocultural context in which the program exists. The model of care is anticipated to include recommendations on: the type of clinic services, methods of interprofessional collaboration amongst healthcare and other service providers, suggestions for a clinic evaluation plan, and other relevant considerations that will be uncovered throughout the project’s execution. The research fits within a greater context of improving Keith neighbourhood residents’ health and social outcomes by increasing their access to primary care.
Team members
Carolyn Kelly-Ruetz
I am a strong advocate for both the nursing profession and patient-centered care; I am passionate about finding ways to deliver healthcare in a way that supports healthcare workers and patients.
Subiksha Nagaratnam
I currently work as a Clinical Research Study Assistant and Fellowship Coordinator for the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at Toronto General Hospital. I am also a Researcher and Learning Module Developer for ScienceforEveryone.
Morgan Porteous
I went to McMaster University for my undergraduate degree, where I studied Integrated Science with a concentration in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour. I loved my undergraduate thesis in Cognitive Neuroscience but it also helped me learn that my heart doesn't lie in bench-side research.
Project Advisory Committee
Sandra Palmaro
Sandra has spent more than 25 years in leadership positions in the corporate, not for profit, and education sectors. After 14 years with Microsoft Canada, Sandra held leadership roles at SickKids Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and, most recently, at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Emily Tam
Emily is a registered Nutritionist/Dietitian who provides nutrition counselling using an approach founded on the principles of collaborating with clients to identify realistic goals and supporting them in implementing their individualized nutrition plans. She is especially passionate about supporting people to achieve recovery from disordered eating and eating disorders.
Anita Federici
Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, a private Clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. Anita has an established reputation for her work as a therapist, clinical trainer, researcher, program director and consultant.
TRP Supervisors
Dr. Joseph Ferenbok
Driven to improve patient care, Prof. Ferenbok catapults projects forward with passion, wisdom, and a contagious chuckle. He is an Associate Director of the Health Innovation Hub, a Faculty of Medicine initiative intended to connect, align, serve, and facilitate the translation, innovation, and commercialization of 'Health Matters'.
Dr. Edyta Marcon
Edyta loves to encounter new questions, apply new knowledge, and meet new people. As a Senior Research Associate at the U of T Donnelly Centre, she currently studies how RNA modifications regulate gene expression and how they relate to human health and disease. Her interests extend beyond the laboratory into the application of scientific research using human centric design thinking.
