Happy Women's Health Research Month! Momentum for women’s health research continues to grow across Canada, driven by the leadership of researchers, advocates, and partners working to close longstanding gaps in evidence, care, and policy. 

This month’s newsletter highlights the next seminar in our 2025–2026 PWHR Research Seminar Series, featuring Dr. Natalie Rosen from IWK Health, whose work is advancing innovative couples-based approaches to addressing women’s sexual health. We also invite nominations for the PWHR Mid-Career Excellence in Women’s Health Research Award, celebrating researchers across Canada who are driving meaningful change in women’s health. In addition, we share highlights from recent national and provincial initiatives – from Women’s Health Day on the Hill and growing momentum around Bill S-243, to the Women’s Health Research Institute’s 20th anniversary symposium, and new research exploring the experiences of rural caregivers supporting loved ones who use drugs in rural Canada.

Together, these stories reflect the strength of Canada’s women’s health research community and the collective effort underway to ensure research translates into better health outcomes for women, girls, and gender-diverse people. Thank you for being part of this growing movement and for your continued commitment to advancing women’s health research across Canada.

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

Join Us for Addressing Women's Sexual Function Difficulties Through a Couples-Based Lens

We’re excited to continue the 2025–2026 PWHR Research Seminar Series, featuring recipients of the PWHR Mid-Career Excellence in Women’s Health Research Award.

This fourth seminar, Addressing women’s sexual function difficulties with a couples-based lens, 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 

Apply Today for the PWHR Mid-Career Excellence in Women's Health Research Award

We are proud to, once again, invite applications for the PWHR Mid-Career Excellence in Women's Health Research Award – a national recognition celebrating researchers who are advancing knowledge and innovation in women’s health across Canada.

This national award honours mid-career researchers across Canada who are making significant contributions across the four Canadian Institutes of Health Research pillars: Clinical Research, Biomedical Research, Health Systems & Services, and Social and Cultural, Environmental & Population Health.

Four recipients – one from each of our partner institutions – will be recognized for their research excellence in women’s health.

Awardees will be spotlighted by PWHR Canada and invited to present their work to a national audience through the PWHR seminar series.

Do you know a researcher whose work is making a meaningful impact in women’s health? Encourage them to apply – or submit a nomination today!

Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026, by 12 AM (midnight) PT. 

PWHR on the Hill: Celebrating Research Excellence and Building Momentum for Women's Health

From left to right: Dr. Sofia Ahmed, Academic Lead-Women’s Health Research, WCHRI, Senator Danièle Henkel, Dr. Angela Kaida, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health,  and Dr. Tamil Kendall, Director of PWHR.

On February 25–26, 2026, PWHR was proud to join over 200 advocates, researchers, and clinicians on Parliament Hill for Women's Health Day on the Hill. The event focused on the National Framework for Women's Health in Canada Act (Bill S-243), which aims to strengthen women's health across the country by supporting increased investment in women's health research, women-led innovation, stronger preventative care, and equitable access to health services.

The importance of and growing momentum to invest in and support women's health research in Canada was central to these conversations. Canada's leadership in women's health research was clear, and the events highlighted research excellence of investigators from PWHR's partner institutions, including Dr. Sofia Ahmed from the Women & Children's Health Research Institute and Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose from the Women's Health Research Institute. 

Advocates made a compelling case for change, noting that closing the women's health gap could add an estimated $37 billion annually to Canada's GDP through improved workforce participation and reduced healthcare costs.

Bill S-243 is currently being studied by Canada's Senate. To learn more about the bill and how you can help advance women's health research, consider writing to the Senators who represent your province to express your support.

Celebrating WHRI’s 20th Anniversary at the 11th Annual Women’s Health Research Symposium 

On March 6, 2026, the women’s health research community gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) at a special symposium launching Women’s Health Research Month. The event welcomed 246 attendees in person and online and highlighted two decades of progress while looking ahead to the future of women’s health research.

This year’s theme, From Science to Solutions: Building Bridges from Discovery Science to Women’s Health, emphasized the importance of connecting basic science with women’s health research to address longstanding knowledge gaps. Speakers, including keynote Dr. Cheryl Wellington and spotlight speaker Dr. Ariane van der Straten, highlighted the need to include women and gender-diverse people in research models to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care.

The symposium also celebrated the leadership of Dr. Lori Brotto, WHRI’s outgoing Executive Director, and the growing community of researchers working to advance equitable and inclusive women’s health research.

WCHRI Researchers: Closing the Women’s Health Gap is a Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity  

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s Health Research Month, the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation (AWHF) was thrilled to host another successful Luminaries Luncheon supporting the advancement of women’s health funding and outcomes.

With this year’s Luminaries event focusing the health and wealth connection – the powerful link between women’s health, leadership, and economic prosperity – several prominent women’s health researchers from the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) explored this topic in a poignant video.

The AWHF is working to close critical gaps in women’s health research and care, and is proud to support more than 170 women’s health researchers through WCHRI.