The Knowledge Translation Challenge is a collaborative initiative supporting clinicians in applying research evidence to improve health care delivery across B.C.
Last updated: July 9, 2026.
About the Knowledge Translation Challenge
Knowledge Translation (KT) is the art and science of moving evidence into health care policy and practice. The KT Challenge is designed to support teams of clinicians who want to learn how to use evidence to make practice changes and improve health care in real life.
The KT Challenge will:
- Support staff who do not have knowledge translation experience.
- Help teams design knowledge translation projects.
- Provide access to knowledge translation resources, training, mentorship and potential funding.
Accepted teams will receive training to learn the basics of KT and the chance to receive funding (up to $5,000) to support a KT initiative.
The intake for Letters of Intent for the KT Challenge 2026 is now closed. Please check back in September 2026 for updates on future opportunities to join the KT Challenge.
Eligibility
The KT Challenge is designed to support teams of Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Cancer, Northern Health and Providence Health Care clinicians who may not have much knowledge translation expertise but are responsible for moving evidence into practice. There must be a minimum of two people per team. Teams can be inter-professional. All team leaders must be consistently working 0.5 FTE or greater at their organization (full-time, part-time or casual).
KT Challenge Timeline (for currently participating 2026 teams)
Teams who received notification in Fall 2025 that their Letter of Intent and project were accepted into the 2026 KT Challenge are required to complete all the required activities (see KT Challenge Roadmap), including attending three virtual workshops and submitting a full application.
In order to be considered for funding, teams must submit their application by Friday, April 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
More information on the full application process, including a copy of the application form and guidelines, can be found in the KT Challenge Learning Hub online course.
If you have any questions about the KT Challenge, please contact Titilola Yakubu at titilola.yakubu@fraserhealth.ca.
Resources
Fraser Health is pleased to partner with BC Cancer, Northern Health, Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health on the KT Challenge program.
2026 Projects
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Primary care pharmacists supporting recently discharged patients in the Chilliwack and Fraser Health Rural Primary Care Network
Team lead: Charles Au, clinical pharmacist educator, Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services.
Team members: Annie Lio, coordinator, operations support; Vivian Yih, coordinator, Fraser Health Primary Care Network; Preet Toor, director, Primary Care Network and Special Projects.
Funder: Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation
Project description: Led by Charles Au and a multidisciplinary primary care team across Fraser Health, this project focuses on improving medication support for patients after they are discharged from hospital.
Many patients return home with medication changes and may feel confused about what their medications are for or how to take them safely. This can increase the risk of medication errors, adverse drug events and avoidable readmissions.
The team will create a referral pathway to connect recently discharged patients from Chilliwack General Hospital and Fraser Canyon Hospital with primary care pharmacists within a few days of discharge. Pharmacists will review medications, identify potential issues, provide education and communicate with primary care providers to support safe transitions home.
This initiative aims to improve continuity of care, reduce medication-related harm and help patients feel more confident managing their health after leaving hospital.
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Thoracic irrigation to decrease retained hemothoraces in stable trauma patients with chest trauma
Team lead: Dr. Lily Tung, trauma surgeon, Royal Columbian Hospital and Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Team members: Harveer Sihota, clinical nurse specialist; Vesna Ivkov, patient partner.
Funder: Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
Project description: Led by Dr. Lily Tung and the Fraser Health trauma team, this project focuses on improving care for patients with chest trauma who develop bleeding in the chest cavity.
When blood collects in the chest after trauma, it can make breathing difficult and may not fully drain with standard chest tube treatment. If blood remains trapped, patients may require additional procedures, longer hospital stays and face higher risks of complications such as infection.
The team will implement a thoracic irrigation procedure in the emergency department at Royal Columbian Hospital and Abbotsford Regional Hospital. This involves washing out the chest during initial chest tube placement to help prevent blood from remaining in the chest.
By reducing complications and the need for additional interventions, this initiative aims to improve patient comfort, shorten hospital stays and enhance outcomes for trauma patients across Fraser Health.
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The Dignity Initiative: Enhancing end-of-life care in the intensive care unit through a structured and culturally safe resource
Team lead: Kelsey Stewart, critical care registered nurse, Abbotsford Regional Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
Team members: Aisha Woodbury, critical care registered nurse; Bronwyn Caldwell, critical care registered nurse.
Funder: BC Nurses’ Union
Project description: Led by Kelsey Stewart and the critical care nursing team at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, this project focuses on improving end-of-life care in the Intensive Care Unit.
Providing end-of-life care in critical care settings can be emotionally complex for both families and health care providers. Nurses often support difficult conversations and provide comfort during a patient’s final stages of life, but may have limited access to structured resources or formal training.
The team will develop a practical bedside resource and digital toolkit to support nurses with communication, symptom management, documentation, interdisciplinary supports and culturally safe care practices. Brief education sessions will also help build confidence and consistency in care delivery.
This initiative aims to strengthen compassionate, dignified and culturally safe end-of-life care for critically ill patients and their families while supporting nurses in delivering high-quality care.
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Wound care champions project
Team lead: Carmen Serban, manager of clinical operations.
Team members: Carmen Serban, manager of clinical operations; Cindy Kahlon, registered nurse; Oscar Espinosa Jr., clinical nurse educator.
Funder: Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
Project description: Led by Carmen Serban and the Queen’s Park Care Centre team, this project focuses on improving wound care for long-term care residents.
Pressure injuries and chronic wounds can significantly affect residents’ health, comfort and quality of life, while also increasing health care costs. Inconsistent wound assessment, documentation and staff training can create challenges in delivering high-quality care.
The team will implement a Wound Care Champion model, where trained nurse leaders provide education, mentorship and support to staff while promoting evidence-based wound care practices. Regular audits and monitoring will help track progress and identify opportunities for improvement.
This initiative aims to standardize wound care practices, strengthen staff knowledge, reduce pressure injuries and improve outcomes for residents in long-term care.
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Geriatric emergency nurse clinician frailty pathway collaborative
Team lead: Victoria Casas-Alcuaz, regional clinical nurse specialist, Frail Elderly–Older Adult Network.
Team members: Ellen Posadas, geriatric emergency nurse clinician, Surrey Memorial Hospital; Melissa Bose, geriatric emergency nurse clinician, Surrey Memorial Hospital; Robyn Lillies, geriatric emergency nurse clinician, Langley Memorial Hospital.
Funder: Surrey Hospitals Foundation
Project description: Led by Victoria Casas-Alcuaz and the geriatric emergency nursing team, this project focuses on identifying and addressing frailty in older adults presenting to Fraser Health emergency departments.
Even short hospital stays can lead to loss of strength, mobility and independence for older adults, especially those living with frailty. Early recognition of frailty can help prevent complications, improve recovery and support safer discharge planning.
The team will strengthen the use of a frailty pathway and clinical frailty screening tools to help clinicians identify older adults who need early interdisciplinary support, goals-of-care discussions and connections to community services. Education and practical tools will help expand staff capacity across emergency departments.
This initiative aims to improve care for older adults, reduce avoidable hospital readmissions and support healthier aging through earlier intervention and coordinated care.
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Regional dementia programming
Team lead: Victoria Casas-Alcuaz, regional clinical nurse specialist, Frail Elderly–Older Adult Network.
Team members: Elba D’Souza, dementia clinician, registered nurse; Julissa Goodnough, clinical nurse specialist, Community and Home Care.
Funder: Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
Project description: Led by Victoria Casas-Alcuaz and the regional dementia care team, this project focuses on improving dementia care across Fraser Health through education and capacity building.
As the number of people living with dementia continues to grow, health care teams increasingly need the skills and resources to provide safe, person-centred care. Without adequate knowledge and support, patients with dementia may experience poorer outcomes, including longer hospital stays and higher risk of complications.
The team will develop a regional dementia education and knowledge translation framework to build clinician confidence and improve understanding of dementia across the care continuum. The program will emphasize person-centred care, stronger communication with caregivers and practical strategies to better support patients’ unique needs.
This initiative aims to strengthen dementia care across Fraser Health, improve patient and caregiver experiences and build a more dementia-informed health care system.