Research Centres & Clinical Academic Research Groups

This section features a list of research programs and initiatives at Providence Health Care and Providence Research.

A researcher works at a computer with mountains in the background

New Programs

Innovarium 360°

Innovarium 360° is Providence Health Care’s “innovation ecosystem.” By helping those driven to improve things work together, Innovarium 360° is the path to moving from good ideas to improvements we can actually implement.

PHC Ventures

PHC Ventures is the independent innovation and commercialization arm of PHC. The team at PHC Ventures works to identify, nurture, and deploy innovations that advance health care and, in turn, generate proceeds that can be reinvested back into PHC and the health system.

Integrated Health Informatics Datalab (IHID) Automating Access to Data for Research Fall 2023: FREE Access to Data for PHC Researchers for a Limited Time

Providence Health Innovation, Research + Engagement (PHIRE)

PHIRE is a team that works with the Providence clinical and research community to advance important research ideas.

Clinical Academic Research Groups

BC Foot and Ankle Clinic

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The physicians of the BC Foot and Ankle Specialists group are involved in several research studies that aim to improve the treatment of foot and ankle issues. The primary research objective of the BC Foot & Ankle Clinic is to better understand the results of the various surgical techniques used to treat a variety of foot and ankle ailments. The information gathered through ongoing research projects will ultimately help in the surgical planning process.

BC Resurect

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The BC Resuscitation Research Collaborative is a collaborative of Clinicians, Scientists, Emergency Health Services, Fire Department First Responders and Health Authorities in BC. For more than twenty years, they have focused on improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest through out-of-hospital cardiac arrest clinical trials, observational studies and quality improvement initiatives.

Cedar Project – Indigenous Health Services

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Clinical dietitians at Providence are registered with the College of Dietitians of BC as reg­istered dietitians (RD). Clinical dietitians collaborate with the interdisciplinary health care teams to provide evidence-based, patient and family centered nutrition management and education for patients and residents. They also participate in outpatient and outreach clin­ics, provide in-services to other staff as needed, and participate in research activities.

St. Paul’s Hospital Centre for Heart Valve Innovation

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The Vancouver-based Centre for Heart Valve Innovation at St. Paul’s Hospital is a hub of heart valve technology, innovation and research. For the past decade, they have pi­oneered new treatment options for the management of heart valve disease. They offer treatment options for various valve diseases, and continue to achieve some of the best outcomes in the world.

St. Paul’s Hospital Colorectal Research 

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At St. Paul’s Hospital, they developed a center of excellence in colorectal surgery with a specific focus on colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Surgeons with subspecialty training work in collaboration to treat patients with colorectal diseases at St. Paul’s Hospital. As a University of British Co­lumbia teaching hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital serves as a training center for colorectal sur­geons and is a leader in the research and treatment of patients with colorectal diseases.

Gastrointestinal Research 

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Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine where the digestive system and its disorders are studied and treated. The Division of Gastroenterology at St. Paul’s is composed of gas­troenterologists who are active provincially, nationally and internationally. Research in the Division of Gastroenterology includes both investigator and industry-sponsored studies. 

PHC Hematology 

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Research enables innovation and provides options to patients who may benefit from novel approaches to treatment and care. The members of the UBC Division of Hematology are active across a broad spectrum of hematological disorders, including both benign and malignant conditions.

PHC Obstetrics & Gynaecology Research 

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Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology spans from bench to bedside and beyond. The faculty is involved in biomedical, clinical, and population health research, including PhD and MSc programs with the UBC Reproduction and Developmental Sciences Graduate Program, that covers the spectrum of women’s lifespan. 

PHC Orthopedics Research – Footbridge Clinic

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The SPH Department of Orthopedics is a major component of the UBC Department of Orthopedic academic program. The research programs have contributed in recognized articles on topics such as minimally invasive surgery, ankle arthritis and wrist fractures. 

This research has been internationally recognized by awards and grants.

Pacific Lung Research Centre

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The Pacific Lung Research Centre conducts research in various respiratory disease areas, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disease/ idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Chronic Cough, Cystic Fibrosis, and Asthma.

Prevention of Organ Failure Centre of Excellence (PROOF)

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Established in 2008, the PROOF Centre is a National Centre for the Commercialization of Research. PROOF is a leader in discovering practical yet profitable solutions to the ex­panding burden that vital organ failure imposes on Canadian society. The PROOF team is researching disease risks, the development of biomarkers of occurrence, severity and pro­gression to organ failure, and an accelerated, personalized approach by targeting disease mechanisms.

PHC Department of Anesthesiology 

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A department of Canadian certified anesthesiologists providing cutting edge, evi­dence-based delivery of peri-operative patient care. They adhere to the motto of the Canadian Anesthesiologists Society by providing Science, Vigilance and Compassion. Their mission is to provide the highest level of care to their patients throughout the peri-opera­tive period. 

PHC Eating Disorders Program

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Providence Health Care’s Eating Disorders Program is engaged in innovative research in the field of eating disorders and provides knowledge translation, education, consultation, and outreach activities to support a network of eating disorder services for adults across the province. 

PHC Renal Program 

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In addition to their patient care role, the specialists in the Renal Program lead research into the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. The department of Nephrology has a strong and internationally recognized research program with a particular emphasis in chronic kidney disease and associated conditions and kidney transplant outcomes. Its researches also investigate issues such as drug effectiveness, access to transplantation services, patient quality of life and renal program management.

Providence Breast Centre at Mount St. Joseph Hospital 

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The Providence Breast Centre (PBC) at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ) in Vancouver, British Columbia, is on the front line of efforts to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer. We offer a multidisciplinary approach to breast diseases and are commit­ted to providing quality care while developing personalized treatment plans from diagno­sis to post-operative care. We understand the stress associated with abnormalities detect­ed in the breast and strive to be there for you and your family throughout every step in the diagnosis and treatment of your breast condition. 

Radiology

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The Radiology Department is located at both St. Paul’s and Mount Saint Joseph Hospitals. They are accredited by he Diagnostic Accreditation Program and an approved partner site to BCIT and UBC through the Canadian Medical Association.