Canadian scholars share insights from Sax Institute visit

Two young Canadian scholars are embarking on their careers with first-hand international experience in knowledge exchange, after spending three months working at the Sax Institute.

Chris Galano and Alex Kilian spent three months in Sydney, after being awarded Queen Elizabeth Scholarships in Strengthening Health Systems, which aim to develop the community of young global leaders and create lasting impacts on health systems throughout the Commonwealth.

Chris, who is currently studying for his Masters in Science in the Global Health program at McMaster University, worked with The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, focusing on developing a database of grey literature on systems based approaches to preventive health.

He reflects on his time at the Sax Institute in our video, and his blog, Five things I’ve learnt at the Prevention Centre, outlines some of the key insights he will be taking home with him.

Alex Kilian recently completed her third year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences at McMaster University and is returning to Canada to embark on a postgraduate degree in medicine at the University of Toronto.

She spent her time here working with the Institute’s Knowledge Exchange division, largely focusing on a literature review that explored what is known about mental health care pathways for Aboriginal youth.

Alex says she hopes her learnings will also be applicable in Canada, where there is similarly shocking health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Sax Institute CEO Professor Sally Redman said collaborations with international institutions like the McMaster Health Forum were helping to develop future leaders.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with the McMaster Health Forum and to be part of this effort to build a network of young leaders committed to driving the use of research in policies, programs and services.”

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