In 2025–26, Fraser Health teams participated in more projects and secured more external funding than ever before.
Last fiscal year, Fraser Health researchers, clinicians and teams supported 466 active research projects, 138 active clinical trials and 170 Fraser Health-authored publications and secured $9.7 million in new external research funding.
Among the highlights, Courtney Wedemire, PhD, dietitian at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre and Dr. Jason Chan, a neurologist at Surrey Memorial Hospital, both received Michael Smith Health Research BC awards aimed at advancing research that improves patient care.
Dr. Kevin Afra, medical director of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control, received the Sherrold Haddad Excellence in Medicine Award, supported by Surrey Hospitals Foundation. Dr. Afra was recognized for his research and leadership in helping to build a successful clinical trials program at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
“From clinical trials to programs that give Indigenous families the tools they need to support Elders age at home, research is proving to be a catalyst for quality in care, informing decision-making and supporting a culture of continuous learning,” says Kate Keetch, PhD, director, Department of Evaluation and Research Services (DERS).
Several Fraser Health-led and -involved clinical trials also garnered national and international attention. While CLiCK, SNAP, and dal-GenE-2 may sound like board games, these advanced clinical trials have the potential to improve care globally. The CLiCK study—which seeks to improve care for critically ill patients—was recently published in the Journal of America Medical Association.
The results of the SNAP trial—which is investigating the best therapies for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (bloodstream infections)—were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
At Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, researchers have helped make the site the second-largest recruiting centre in Canada for the Phase 3 dal-GenE-2 trial, which is evaluating a new medication that could help prevent repeat heart attacks and strokes in people with a specific genetic variant.
Knowledge translation continues to gain momentum with Fraser Health joining the Knowledge Translation (KT) Challenge for the first time last year. The KT program provides funding for teams to implement evidence-based practice changes that improve patient care. Eight Fraser Health projects received funding from Michael Health Research BC, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation and Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
Additional research funding is helping expand programs that support seniors and caregivers. Through Michael Smith Health Research BC’s Advancing the Use of Evidence in Seniors’ Home and Community Care, Fraser Health is expanding the Indigenous Caregiver Support Model which provides culturally informed, family-centred support for Indigenous caregivers, and scaling up social prescribing, which connects older adults with community services and activities to improve their overall well-being.
“The remarkable contributions of our researchers and the DERS team at Fraser Health are improving care and making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families,” says Dr. Dave Zygun, vice president, Quality and Safety, Fraser Health. “Through their dedication to research, innovation and excellence, they are helping us build a safer, stronger and more responsive health system. To the DERS team and all Fraser Health researchers, thank you for your invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to better health outcomes for the people we serve.”