Thank you for being part of this movement and for your continued commitment to advancing better health for all.

With warm regards, 
Tamil Kendall, PhD
Director, Partnership for Women's Health Research Canada

Last chance to register: April 15 PWHR Research Seminar 

Don’t miss the final seminar in the 2025–2026 PWHR Research Seminar Series, Addressing Women’s Sexual Function Difficulties Through a Couples-Based Lens.

This engaging seminar will feature:

• Dr. Natalie Rosen, IWK Health
  A Full Professor at Dalhousie University in the Departments of Psychology/Neuroscience and Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Dr. Rosen is an internationally recognized leader in sexual health research. Her work focuses on sexual dysfunction and well-being during life transitions, including the perinatal period. A pioneer in couples-based approaches, she has translated her findings into evidence-based interventions that are changing lives and improving care.
  

• Justin Shimizu, PhD Student
  Justin completed an Honours degree in Psychology with a minor in Sexuality Studies at Carleton University following a seven-year career as a paramedic. They are currently a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Dalhousie University where their research focuses on couple-based psychological interventions for sexual dysfunctions. Justin is committed to conducting intersectional and inclusive research that captures the diverse experiences of individuals and couples from marginalized populations.

• Grace Wang, PhD Student
  Grace is a fourth-year clinical psychology PhD candidate at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. With the Couples & Sexual Health (CaSH) lab, her research has centered how emotional, psychological, and interpersonal factors can shape how couples navigate their sexual relationships. She is particularly interested in sexual well-being in the face new or stressful life circumstances, such as sexual dysfunctions, becoming parents, or undergoing medically assisted reproduction. Outside of the lab, Grace is passionate about making research findings accessible, leadership and mentorship, and removing systemic barriers for individuals and families.

EVENT DETAILS:

• Date: April 15, 2026
• Time:
  8:00-9:00 AM PT
  9:00-10:00 AM MT
  11:00 AM-12:00 PM ET
  12:00-1:00 PM AT
• Location: Online via Zoom 

Building Momentum for Women’s Health Research: National Women's Health Summit

From left to right: Dr. Tamil Kendall, Director of PWHR, with the  Presidents and CEOs of our sister foundations and members of the Women's Health Collective Canada (WHCC), Cally Wesson, BC Women's Health Foundation, Marie-Hélène Laramée, MUHC Foundation, Jennifer Gillivan, IWK Foundation, Sandra Sualim, Women's College Hospital Foundation, Sharlene Rutherford, Alberta Women's Health Foundation, and Amy Flood, Executive Directpr of WHCC. 

PWHR, along with WHCC and CanWaCH, convened researchers, advocates, and leaders from across Canada for the Vitally Important: National Women's Health Summit in Toronto in March.

The sessions brought to life research progress in key areas of women's health thanks to growing advocacy and research collaboration across the country. For cancers, cardiovascular disease, menopause, mental and brain health, pregnancy, chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, endometriosis, and more, women's health research is delivering better health for women and gender-diverse people.

We know that increased and sustained investment in women's health research can close the women's health gap. It is up to us to grow our movement and continue to tackle the formidable challenges we face: the persistent sex and gender knowledge gaps that limit the delivery of evidence-based prevention and treatment across many aspects of women’s health.

Novel Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis (from left to right): Dr. Lori Brotto, Women’s Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia; Dr. Linda McLean, University of Ottawa; Dr. Philippa Bridge-Cook, The Endometriosis Network Canada; Dr. Paul Yong, Women’s Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia. 

Recognizing Women's Health Research Month at Women's College Hospital 

March marked Women’s Health Research Month, and in 2026, Women’s College Hospital (WCH) also celebrates 20 years of its Research and Innovation Institute. WCH continues to lead efforts to close critical gaps in women’s health.

This year, they spotlighted three leading scientists driving impact: 

• Joanne Kotsopoulos is advancing care for individuals with BRCA1/2 mutations. Her recent research shows that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) does not significantly increase breast cancer risk in this population, supporting more personalized menopause care.
• Alexis Reeves examines how racism and marginalization affect health across the lifespan. Her work links discrimination to increased menopausal symptoms and highlights broader impacts on cardiovascular health.
• Janice Du Mont leads the ASTER initiative, strengthening cross-sector responses to sex trafficking. Through province-wide collaboration, her work is improving access to care and support for survivors.
  

Researcher wins prestigious grant, uncovers biology that could help treat pregnancy complications 

A groundbreaking discovery by Meghan Riddell, associate professor and member of the Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), is shedding new light on the placenta, an organ that remains historically understudied.

Supported by the prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Fund Next Gen Pregnancy Initiative, Riddell and her team are investigating the syncytiotrophoblast, a unique placental cell that forms the critical interface between mother and fetus. Their research focuses on how these cells die and how this process may drive inflammation during pregnancy.

These insights into fundamental biology could help explain pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, and inform future treatments, including those related to infections like Zika virus.

As the research progresses, Riddell’s work is helping build a deeper understanding of pregnancy at the cellular level, an essential step toward improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

Reaching the HPV Elimination Goal: New Evidence on One-Dose Vaccination and Innovative Screening Strategies

Join the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (CVPD) at the Dalla Lana School of Public health for their next webinar: Reaching the HPV Elimination Goal: Updates on innovative primary and secondary HPV prevention strategies.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for nearly 100% of cervical cancers.

In this webinar, recent data will be presented on the immunogenicity and efficacy of a one-dose HPV vaccine schedule in girls and boys, as well as cervical cancer screening strategies, particularly those using self-sampling.

Join us for this engaging webinar, with experts Dr. Gina Ogilvie (Interim Director, Women's Health Research Institute) and Dr. Chantal Sauvageau, to discuss the HPV immunization landscape and cervical screening strategies across Canada.

EVENT DETAILS: 

• Date: April 21, 2026
• Time: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET
  
• Location: Online via Zoom

Have a question? Please contact aislinn.deroches@utoronto.ca.