Research and Impact Day 2026: Equity and Innovation

Nearly 300 attendees gathered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 for the 22nd annual Research and Impact Day, IHPME’s flagship student-powered conference.

By: Marielle Boutin

A staple IHPME event, Research & Impact Day has been a platform for student excellence since its inception, underscoring the caliber of student work that is fostered within the institute. This year highlighted several key milestones in the evolution of Research and Impact Day: a record number of abstracts submissions and a new venue, the recently renovated Chestnut Conference Centre.

Students, faculty, industry leaders, and community members came together under 2026’s theme: Equity and Innovation, to explore how technologies, programs and policies can be leveraged to reduce inequities and address critical health challenges.

Building on this, a distinguished group of panelists and keynote speakers were invited to explore how we can collectively advance equitable access and meaningful change across health systems.

Speakers included digital health researchers, and members from leading organizations such as the Canada’s Drug Agency, VHA Home Healthcare, SickKids, and AstraZeneca.

Other highlights included student-led oral and poster presentations, meaningful networking, a headshot booth, and a keynote address from Frank Crichlow, Harm Reduction Worker with COUNTERfit, and Stephen Hwang , Director of MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions.

The day concluded with a celebration through a series of awards recognizing excellence, leadership, innovation, and impact.

Congratulations to Our Award Recipients:

Dr. Jack V. Tu Memorial Award for Excellence

Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher (2025)

The Malcolm Moffat Health Care System Mentorship Award

Vishwathsen Karthikeyan (2025)

Claire Bombardier Award – MSc

Jenny Shi (2026)

Claire Bombardier Award – PhD Gold

Giulia Mesaroli (2026)

Claire Bombardier Award – PhD Platinum

Shaurya Taran (2026)

Kevin J. Leonard Award

Konrad Samsel (2026)

Comparative Health Systems Award in Honour of Les Boehm

Brittney Romanson (2026)

Esta Wall Award of Excellence in Gerontology

Peter Hoang (2026)

Health Equity and Social Justice Award in Honour of Diana Moeser

Joanne Abi-Jaoude (2026)

Thomas & Edna Naylor Award

Cal Robinson (2026)

Theme Awards

Maureen Dixon Memorial Award (Community Based, Consumer or Caregiver Group)

Reemal Shahbaz

Robert Duff Barron Award (Public Health Policy)

Eric Hempel

Edwin S.H. Leong Centre Child Health Equity Award

Paulette Ibeka & Erica Wennberg

Oral Presentations Awards

Innovations in Critical Care

Shaurya Taran

Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness and Infrastructure in Care

Pankti Sanketkumar Patel

Innovations in Mental Health

Nichelle Benny Gerard

Understanding Care Across The Life Course

Brianne Yarranton

Care Beyond The Hospital

Chris Lozano

Designing For The Future of Education

Miriam Woo

AI for Clinical Care

Konrad Samsel

Equity in Knowledge Production

Charlotte Calvez

Health Systems at Home and Abroad

Paulette Ibeka

Structural Inequities in Health

Sorina Andrei

Workforce and Caregiver Sustainability

Reemal Shahbaz

Innovations Along the Cancer Pathway

Sara Bocchinfuso

Poster Awards

HSLI / MHI, G.B. Rosenfeld Poster Award

Awlad Hussain

MSc HSR & QIPS, IHPME GSU Poster Award

Sobhneek Hothi

MSc CEHCR IHPME GSU Poster Award

Sheharzad Mahmood

PhD HSR / HPER, Eugene Vayda Poster Award

Kidu Weldegwergs

PhD CEHCR, Gillian Hawker Poster Award

Joanne Abi-Jaoude

People’s Choice Poster Award

Joanna Abi-Jaoude