Congratulations to the following:

Christopher White – Horizon Health Network - $225,000
Creation of an Enhanced Recovery after Cardiac Surgery (ERACS) program to improve post-operative recovery after cardiac surgery.
Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) protocols optimize recovery after cardiac surgery. Although widely adopted, gaps remain in key components of ERACS, particularly in early rehabilitation, which is thought to minimize postoperative compilations and shorten hospital length of stay. However, high-quality evidence on the impact of early rehabilitation protocols on patients is lacking. This study will address this gap through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of cycle ergometry into established rehabilitation protocols in cardiac surgery patients.

The overall significance of this research project is that it will create a simple, yet effective evidence-based method to optimize postoperative recovery and help patients return to normal after cardiac surgery. By focusing on a patient-centered, interdisciplinary approach, we have the potential to inform best practices and refine ERACS protocols in cardiac surgery. Furthermore, this project will develop into an ERACS program targeting multiple aspects of ERACS (sleep, pain management, fast-tracking).

Pamela Jarrett – Horizon Health Network - $225,000
Transitions in Care for Older Adults.
As more people are age in New Brunswick, many enjoy a good quality of life, while others who are frail need assistance with day to day living. When health and social care systems are not available to support them in the community they often are admitted to hospital in “crisis” to wait for a higher level of care. When this happens the hospitals are compromised in their ability to deliver acute care to those who need it. This situation is at an all time high in New Brunswick. Focused research is needed to characterize the problem, identify evidence informed strategies, implement, evaluate and scale and spread initiatives across the province. A collaborative approach from researchers, clinicians, administrators, government and non-governmental agencies, older adults and their families is needed to do this work across the continuum of care from home to hospital to long term care in the community.

Mouna Ben Amor – Vitalité Health Network - $225,000
Finalization of the projects in Population and Functional Genomics, further advancement of the projects in Clinical and patient's care program
Dr. Ben Amor Mouna developed a strong and diversified research program focused on population and functional genomics to identify the genetic landscape of the New Brunswick population. Since 2023, she has expanded her work to include a second major research component focused on clinical and patient care. Through the current Clinical Scholarship, her objectives are to finalize her initial research program and further develop the newly designed research projects. The time enabled by this financial support will be dedicated to five projects, including three in population and functional genomics and two within the clinical and patient care program. Together, these projects will play a critical role in identifying genetic variants in the NB population to improve patient care through collaborative research initiatives, knowledge translation, and evidence-based guidance to decision-makers in support of innovative approaches to personalized medicine.