Research
The Research Office coordinates all research activities at Waterloo Regional Health Network through staff and physician-led studies and partnerships with institutions across Canada. The Research Office supports research activities that align with Waterloo Regional Health Network key areas of care and mission, vision, and values.
Research Priorities
Research at WRHN aligns with the key Areas of Care, including the following key areas:
- Cardiac
- Respiratory & Thoracic
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence
- Professional Practice
- Medicine
Ethics
All research at Waterloo Regional Health Network undergoes rigorous ethical review from an external body to ensure the dignity, rights, and welfare of research participants is upheld. All clinical trials are reviewed by Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO). All other studies are reviewed by the Waterloo-Wellington Research Ethics Board (WWREB) (formerly known as the Tri-Hospital Research Ethics Board or THREB).
Clinical Trials Ontario
CTO provides ethics reviews for multi-site research programs across Ontario. CTO reviews all clinical trials at Waterloo Regional Health Network. Visit the CTO website for more information.
Waterloo-Wellington Research Ethics Board (WWREB)
Formerly known as the Tri-Hospital Research Ethics Board (or more commonly, THREB), the WWREB is a shared research ethics board serving Waterloo Regional Health Network, Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Grand River Hospital. WWREB reviews all research involving human subjects at these hospitals, except for research reviewed by an alternate Research Ethics Board of Record for one of the hospitals (e.g. the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board).
Visit the WWREB website for more information.
Research at St. Mary's
For Patients: During your stay, you may be approached to participate in a clinical trial. As a Regional Centre for both our cardiac and chest programs, this is not uncommon.
For Researchers: Staff and credentialed physicians interested in conducting research activities at Waterloo Regional Health Network must do the following:
- Obtain administrative approval and authorization from the Waterloo Regional Health Network Research Committee
- Complete all required research training, which may include:
- TCPS2
- ICH GCP
- Health Canada Division 5
- Waterloo Regional Health Network Privacy training
- Obtain ethical approval from the THREB or CTO, if conducting research on human subjects
- Have a fully executed contract, including the study budget, if applicable
For Partners: Waterloo Regional Health Network welcomes collaborations with students, industry sponsors and other collaborators on health research that aligns with our mission, vision and values, and key areas of care. Those interested in partnering with Waterloo Regional Health Network on a research project can contact a known staff member or physician with privileges or contact the Research Office at research@smgh.ca.
Contact Us
research@smgh.ca
519-580-9186