Message from the CEO

We are only a month away from the 19 ^th Annual Child Health Research Days (CHRD) conference! This year, we will return to a fully in person event for the first time since 2019. I cannot think of a better way to gather as a community and celebrate the ongoing science happening at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM).

CHRD is an excellent opportunity for current investigators and future scientists to connect with top experts who will be joining us in Winnipeg to present on a variety of topics as they relate to child health and this year’s theme, Outcomes in Child Health and the Underlying Mechanisms Interacting with Social and Structural Determinants. 

The theme this year will review the extensive and rapid mobilization of science during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic gave us all a first-hand experience of bringing science to life to save the lives of millions. Now, we wonder if we can do the same for other diseases that affect children, like obesity, diabetes, asthma, and rare genetic diseases.

Unfortunately, science has shown that not everyone benefits from scientific discoveries that solve real-world problems. Families of colour, Indigenous families, and families in disadvantaged neighbourhoods are often left out of the research process and are the last to benefit from the discoveries. Therefore, it is crucial that science and translating it for public good must overcome structural and social barriers to health and well-being.

Our hope for this year’s event is that attendees will leave the conference understanding these barriers and how scientists are addressing them to improve the health of families. 

I am thrilled to welcome local, national, and international guest speakers to Winnipeg to present their work in person! There will be opportunities to meet with many of the speakers, which I encourage everyone to take advantage of. 

We will also be saying goodbye to virtual poster presentations this year, as all posters will be on display for a presentation session at the RBC Convention Centre. The selected trainees will have the opportunity to compete in our highly popular Dr. Goodbear’s Den competition!

On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at CHRIM, I want to thank you for your participation and enthusiasm for this exciting event. This conference is only a small reflection of how hard our entire community of researchers, labs, and teams work each day, which is a testament to the ongoing passion and commitment to child health and what is helping to shape a healthier future for everyone.

Congratulations to everyone for being part of CHRD 2023 and I look forward to seeing you there!