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Lawson Health Research Institute has ranked eighth in the country for the 2021 edition of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List by Re$earch Infosource. This is the eighth consecutive year that Lawson has maintained this strong national position, which puts the institute within the top five in Ontario.

Lawson, the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, has also maintained the top ranking for research intensity among the large tier institutions with a little more than $600,000 of research spending per researcher.

“This is a validation of the extensive support from LHSC and St. Joseph’s, our hospital foundations, Western University and our staff and physicians,” says Lawson’s Scientific Director Dr. David Hill. “These strong partnerships make the hospital environment in London a nationally recognized centre of discovery and knowledge translation.”

Hospital-based researchers belong to a health system at the forefront of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With close proximity to patients and access to samples, they have mobilized to address COVID-19 in many different ways, and are making a difference around the world when it comes to advances and discoveries.

“The Province of Ontario designated health research as an essential service early in the pandemic,” explains Dr. Hill. “They understood that only science can get us through this, be it through vaccine development, surveillance and testing, evaluating new drugs to help patients in ICU survive, or studying the long-term health impacts. We have made substantial contributions of new knowledge through Lawson.”

The top 40 list analyzes hospital-based research institutes from across the country on several metrics, including total research income from the previous fiscal year. According to the report, Lawson received $121,888 million in research income in 2021.The ranking looks at funds received from all sources, including both internal and external, to support research at LHSC and St. Joseph’s.

Quick summary of Lawson’s ranking 

• Rank in Top 40 Research Hospitals 2021: 8 (same as 2020) 
• FY2020 research spending: $121.888 million  
• Percentage change 2019-2020: 2.6% 
• Research intensity: $618,700 per researcher  
• Research intensity - percentage of total hospital spending: 7.0% 

During a virtual event for Londoners hosted by Lawson Health Research Institute and the City of London, a multi-sectoral research team announced two projects representing a collaborative approach to preventing homelessness from within hospital walls. 

Built on the unique and successful No Fixed Address (NFA) strategy, these projects are being tested as a potential best practice for preventing hospital discharge to homelessness. 

Led by Dr. Cheryl Forchuk, Beryl and Richard Ivey Research Chair in Aging, Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery, and Assistant Scientific Director at Lawson, NFA seeks to stop the cycle between hospital admissions and homelessness by providing timely and accessible supports to patients who would otherwise be discharged into homelessness. It brings housing and financial supports into the health-care system, starting as soon as upon admission, to assist in finding appropriate housing and supports or avoiding a potential eviction. 

Several departments at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London collaborate with staff from the City of London, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Elgin-Middlesex, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), Salvation Army’s Housing Stability Bank and Ontario Works in the City of London to provide direct, on-site (or virtual) support for patients at risk of homelessness.

Patients discharged from hospital to homelessness in Canada face many challenges that make recovery more difficult. They often experience higher readmission rates and emergency department visits. This is particularly concerning for youth, who have been found to be the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

NFA was initially tested with strong success for mental health patients across the city and the second version of the project was extended to medical units at LHSC’s University and Victoria Hospitals.

PROJECT 1: Collaboration to Address Homelessness - Health, Housing and Income (H2I) 

This research study will evaluate the City of London’s Coordinated Access Outreach program at hospital sites. A Coordinated Access Outreach worker will support individuals at risk of homelessness to maintain or obtain housing. Ontario Works will assist with the provision of income and employment supports and the Salvation Army Housing Stability Bank may be accessed for needed financial resources to secure or maintain housing.  

Over two years, 106 participants will be interviewed in hospital and again six months post-discharge. Focus groups with participants, health care providers and community partners will provide further insight into the effectiveness of NFA. This project is funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s National Housing Strategy. 

PROJECT 2: Preventing discharge to No Fixed Address – Youth (NFA-Y) 

This research study will customize, implement and evaluate the NFA strategy for vulnerable youth agSwitch to plain text editores 16-24. The unique health and housing needs of youth at-risk will be explored by streamlining housing and financial support into a coordinated system of care, with additional support provided by Youth Opportunities Unlimited and Children’s Aid Society London and Middlesex. 

Over 3-4 years, data to be collected from 93 youth at three time points. Focus groups with youth participants, health care providers, and community agency partners will help enhance the NFA strategy to meet the unique needs of youth. This project is funded by the National Centres of Excellence (NCE) Making the Shift (MtS) Youth Social Innovation Lab. 

Media Coverage 

• Could this project keep discharged hospital patients from homelessness? - London Free Press 
• London, Ont., expands work to prevent homelessness after hospital stays - Global News
• London expands strategy to curb homelessness after hospital stays - Blackburn News 
• What happens to people who are discharged from hospital if they have nowhere to go? - CBC London

Learn more about No Fixed Address 

• Expanded No Fixed Address strategy houses half of those in danger of homelessness   
• Funding for unique strategy to prevent homelessness after hospital discharge

Over 400 learners, faculty and researchers from across London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) and Western University gathered for London Health Research Day (LHRD) on May 7, 2024. 

LHRD is one of southwestern Ontario’s largest cross-disciplinary health research conferences, and is presented in partnership by Lawson Health Research Institute (the research institute of LHSC and St. Joseph’s) and Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Faculty of Health Sciences. It is an opportunity for students to share innovative research on a wide variety of health topics, practice science communication, network, and learn from an insightful keynote presentation and informative workshops.

“There is an amazing diversity of health research being conducted in London, Ontario right now, all represented at this event,” says Dr. David Hill, Interim Research Executive and Scientific Director for London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). “Looking at all these presentations, the future of health research is bright.”

More than 420 guests, 340 poster presenters, 50 volunteer judges and 24 symposia speakers registered to attend the event held at Western University. 

“An event like this, focused on health research by learners, provides an outstanding opportunity for our trainees to showcase their research and network with peers and leaders in the field,” says Susanne Schmid, Vice Dean of Basic Medical Sciences at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. “As one of the largest health research gatherings in our city, London Health Research Day not only highlights the amazing work being done at Western, LHSC and St. Joseph’s, but also underscores the powerful collaborations that drive our success.” 

Dr. Lisa Porter, Vice President, Research and Scientific Director at St. Joseph’s, was also on-hand to speak with presenters and learn more about ongoing research.

“I am so proud of the great research happening in London,” says Dr. Porter. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to explore the fabulous research and see what the future holds for health care.”

The event was preceded on May 6 with a public lecture by Dr. Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University, who addressed how artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the future of health research and the lives of Canadians. The potential of AI to address ongoing challenges in health care, was echoed by keynote speaker Dr. Laura Rosella, Canada Research Chair in Population Health Analytics at the University of Toronto.

The impact of technology on health research was already visible in many of the projects presented by learners, highlighting the rapid advancement of health research in London, Ontario.

Science communication is a key element of modern health research. From presenting at conferences to sharing research findings with the public, it’s a crucial skill for young researchers to develop. 

London Health Research Day (LHRD) provides the opportunity for hundreds of graduate students, trainees, clinical fellows and postdoctoral scholars to practice science communication through the delivery of poster and oral presentations. At the eighth annual LHRD on April 30, more than 400 learners participated from across Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Faculty of Health Sciences.

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Above: Participants engaging in poster presentations at LHRD 2019

“I love that LHRD brings trainees of all disciplines together to present our work, allowing us to become familiar with the research that is being performed outside of our respective areas. Being recognized with an award for my platform talk made the day even more rewarding,” said Shelby Oke, a PhD candidate working with Dr. Dan Hardy, Scientist at Lawson and Associate Professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Oke is conducting research to determine how maternal insults during pregnancy, such as a low protein diet, influence fetal growth and development. 

This year’s LHRD keynote speaker, Timothy Caulfield, highlighted how science communication is particularly important in the age of misinformation. Caulfield, author of the bestseller Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything ?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash and host of the documentary TV series A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, presented as part of The Lucille & Norton Wolf Health Research Lecture Series. His talk, titled “Science vs. Celebrity: A Battle We Must Win,” focused on the important role scientists play in the battle against pseudoscience. 

“London Health Research Day is an amazing event. It brings together a unique, engaged and highly interdisciplinary community,” noted Caulfield. “Great energy. Great discussion. Great research. What more do you need? It was an honour to be involved."

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Above: Timothy Caulfield

Caulfield also participated in a panel discussion on science communication alongside local science communicators Ramina Adam, Dr. Lorelei Lingard, Dr. David Palma and Dr. Matthew Teeter. The panel was moderated by Carly Weeks, Health Reporter at The Globe and Mail, and focused on the importance of communicating science effectively and responsibly. 

“The panel created an incredible opportunity to discuss science communication. I think that it was a great starting point to encourage trainees to get more involved in outreach efforts,” said Ramina Adam, a PhD candidate at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. “Having that in-depth discussion about the importance of science outreach was a great follow-up to Timothy Caulfield’s keynote presentation and very encouraging for trainees who are passionate about the topic.”

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Above: Ramina Adam shares her perspectives as part of the LHRD panel discussion on science communication.

From the presentation of research projects to the panel discussion, LHRD 2019 was an engaging day of networking and professional development that highlighted the scope of health science in London, Ontario. 

For a full list of this year’s award recipients and to see the photo gallery, please visit the LHRD website.

Lawson Health Research Institute is again ranked eighth in the country according to the 2020 edition of “Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List” by Re$earch Infosource. This strong national position has been maintained by Lawson for the past seven consecutive years and keeps the Institute within the top five in Ontario.  

Lawson, the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, has also maintained the top ranking for research intensity among the large tier institutions with $600,000 of research spending per researcher.  

“Now, more than ever, people are understanding the critical importance of hospital-based research and its impact on health care,” says Dr. David Hill, Lawson Scientific Director and VP, Research for London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

“We have remarkable people right here in London working on solutions for health challenges that have a worldwide impact. Their knowledge, creativity and dedication never fail to astound.” 

The top 40 list analyzes hospital-based research institutes from across the country on several metrics, including total research income from the previous fiscal year. The ranking looks at funds received from all sources, including both internal and external, to support research at the organization. According to the report, Lawson received $118,796 million in research income in 2019. Despite representing a 4.0 per cent drop from the previous fiscal year, Lawson has maintained its rankings on the national list.  

Hospital-based researchers belong to a health system at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic. With close proximity to patients and access to samples, they have mobilized to address COVID-19. Many Lawson research teams are implementing pre-clinical, clinical observational and clinical trial studies to prevent or soften the worst effects for patients with COVID-19. They are also studying the long-term and mental health impacts related to the pandemic.  

“The COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be one of the most pressing health challenges of our time,” notes Dr. Hill. “Lawson excels in rapid response research and is uniquely positioned to tackle health problems from within hospital walls.”  

Quick summary of Lawson's ranking 

• Rank in Top 40 Research Hospitals 2020: 8 (same as 2019) 

• FY2019 research spending: $118,776 million  

• FY2018 research spending: $123,790 million 

• Percentage change 2018-2019: -4.0% 

• Research intensity: $600,000 per researcher  

• Research intensity - percentage of total hospital spending: 7.0% 

Lawson Health Research Institute is ranked eighth in the country according to the 2019 edition of “Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals List” by Re$earch Infosource. This strong national position has been maintained by Lawson for the past six years and also keeps the institute within the top five in Ontario.  

The results 

The research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), Lawson has also maintained the top ranking for research intensity among the large tier institutions with $612,800 of research spending per researcher. 

“As a hospital-based research institute, our innovation happens where care is delivered,” says Dr. David Hill, Lawson Scientific Director. “Every day, teams of researchers are working directly with clinicians and patients to improve treatments or create entirely new ones. They also find innovative methods of delivering services that drive efficiency and reduce costs.” 

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The top 40 list analyzes hospital-based research institutes from across the country on several metrics, including total research income from the previous fiscal year. The ranking looks at funds received from all sources, including both internal and external, to support research at the organization. According to the report, Lawson received $123,790 million in research income in 2018, which represents 0.4 per cent in growth from the previous fiscal year.

“We are known across the country and around the world for our high level of research activity and success, despite our size. London punches well above our weight when it comes to health research,” adds Dr. Hill.

“Our position as a leading research institute is the foundation for brilliant research and worldwide partnerships tackling the most pressing challenges in health care.” 

What does this mean for London, Ontario? 

There are millions of dollars every year coming in London from elsewhere in Canada and in the world. Approximately 60 per cent of that is spent on jobs. Lawson employs over 2,000 people in hospital-based research. This is a major source of quality employment for Londoners and people in the surrounding region. Dr. Hill notes that this is one of the real benefits of having a strong biomedical industry associated with the city. 

“Another real benefit of having research directly in the hospitals is that our researchers focus on gaining knowledge that advances our ability to treat patients and find solutions to wicked problems that have been around for a long time.” 

For example, Lawson researchers have been tackling the issue of homelessness from within hospital walls. The No Fixed Address (NFA) strategy reaches and supports patients during the crucial transitional period when they are being discharged from the hospital and re-integrated into the community. Learn more about this successful research initiative. 

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How are we adapting to the current funding environment? 

While federal funding for research in Canada is slowly starting to increase, this sector experienced over a decade of decreasing funding that placed the country far behind other nations in terms of investing in health research. 

“We have become better at what we do in competing for grants and other funding sources, in particular from the government,” explains Dr. Hill. 

Also, “Lawson has been diversifying our sources of funding. We’ve have engaged in more partnerships with industry and joint research and development projects with companies. Not only does that have the advantage of providing additional resources, but also is often a more practical way of directly delivering our knowledge into salable products”

Strong partnerships 

This year, Re$earch Infosource is showcasing “Building Bridges: Pathways to Building Research Capacity and Discovery through Collaboration.” Health researchers in London have collaborations across many sectors that result in big impacts for the people in this region and beyond. 

As just one example, a group of scientists from Lawson, Brescia University College and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University provide academic support to London’s Fermented Foods Project that brings together industry partners, the agricultural sector, academic and health institutions, the City of London and the London Economic Development Corporation. 

The goals of this group, funded by the Weston Family Microbiome Initiative, are to support new product development and batch production, enhance customer confidence, quantify health benefits and establish a competitive advantage. 

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