“Behind every breakthrough is a donor who believed in the power of research,” said Anissa Hilborn, CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.
Every discovery starts with a question.
From how to reduce rates of childhood obesity to how to help kids more fully recover from intensive care, researchers at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) are tackling some of the most pressing questions in child health.
With support from MacKids — and events such as the flagship MacKids Walk &Wheel — a growing community of donors is helping turn bold ideas into life-changing care for children and families in Hamilton and around the world.
Here are just some of the questions HHS researchers are exploring with that support:
Could we prevent obesity-related disease before it starts?
As childhood obesity rates continue to climb,Katherine Morrison pediatric endocrinologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) and professor in the Department of Pediatrics, saw an urgent need for a new approach.
In 2012, with a $150,000 contribution from MacKids, she and her co-director, Gregory Steinberg, launched a program to develop better strategies for preventing and treating obesity-related diseases. By 2018, the initiative grew into the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research (MODR).
Today, MODR is home to a team of scientists whose work is transforming care through innovative metabolic disease research. With early donor support, the centre has gone on to attract major external funding and publish in high-impact journals such as Nature and TheLancet.
How can we help critically ill children recover more fully?
In 2018, Karen Choong, a critical care doctor at MCH and professor in the Department of Pediatrics, received $25,000 to improve recovery after intensive care treatment.
The result was PICU Liber8: Eight Steps Toward Better Pediatric Recovery. This innovative rehabilitation program focuses on patient comfort, sedation stewardship, early mobilization, sleep hygiene,optimal nutrition, and family engagement. Its goal is to "liberate" children from common complications of critical illness and support a smoother, more holistic recovery.
What happens when doctors ask about more than just symptoms?
In 2022, Gita Wahi, a general pediatrician at MCH and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics,received $25,000 to explore how social challenges affect child health.
Her study introduced a new screening tool to help doctors identify unmet social needs among patients and their families. Findings led to the creation of a food pantry and grocery gift card program at MCH to support families experiencing food insecurity. This work was published in the Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health and continues to inform care practices today.
Can we spot the warning signs of high blood pressure earlier?
In 2024, pediatric nephrologist and associate professor Rahul Chanchlani received $25,000 to support his ALERT-BP study, focused on identifying early signs of highblood pressure in children.
His research aims to improve screening and long-term outcomes by highlighting the links between childhood hypertension and future risk of heart and kidney disease. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study showed that youth with high blood pressure face significantly higher long-term risks of serious heart conditions, including stroke and heart attack.
Other research questions we’re are asking:
·In 2021, Mark Tarnopolsky,holder of the MCH research chair in neuromuscular disorders, was awarded $65,000 to investigate how exercise can improve outcomes in more than 150 different neuromuscular conditions.
·In 2022, a significant donation to MCH helped launch one of the world’s first pediatric fecal microbiota transplant pilot programs, offering life-saving treatment to children with C. difficile infections.
·In 2024, pediatric gastroenterologist Jenna Dowhaniuk received $25,000 to support her research on how to improve carefor children living with celiac disease. [WatchVideo]
“Behind every breakthrough is a donor who believed in the power of research,” said Anissa Hilborn, CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.“Thanks to our community of supporters, children in our community, region and beyond can benefit from research that is delivering better care, comfort and outcomes.”
