BIOGRAPHY: Lived experience of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and Obesity for 35 plus years, resulting in several surgeries and wearing 5 different braces before having total knee replacement in 2010 and 2015 respectively. Gaining my mobility back I focused on bettering my overall health by losing almost 190 pounds. This led me to becoming an advocate for bone and joint health by becoming more involved with the Alberta Bone & Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network and then further to applying to CIHR/IMHA as a Patient Engagement Research Ambassador, and joining CANTRAIN-CTTP - specifically Stream 4, community learners, to address the gaps in current training programs. I have conducted motivational talks to weight loss groups, third year medical students. In addition, I have participated and presented at a three day work shop - OA & Obesity, as well numerous webinars and Collaborative Forums Conferences.
What is your interest in clinical trials? • My focus is to promote Patient Engagement as an absolute key component for any and all research (not disease specific), as well the health care system of Alberta; to ensure the research findings and outcomes are relevant to all patients especially those that don’t have the opportunity or means to speak for themselves.
Please share why you think clinical trials are important? • With the right framework in place, and scientific thinking and engaging patient partners with lived experience through the complete clinical trial cycle, ensures better outcomes specific to patients.
Please share your personal philosophy about clinical trial training specifically or mentorship in general? • The more you educate yourself, the better informed you will be which leads to better decision making and more successful outcomes. I believe mentoring is a two-way street. I’m willing to share all my experience and I want to learn from the students who are our future leaders.
Fun Fact: I am the eldest from a large, blended family (14 children). I was born in Jasper Alberta. I golf, use to ski like a lunatic, which lead to the OA and Obesity. Growing up around rodeos and chuckwagon racing in Alberta, I can still ride a horse. I cook with my 4 granddaughters and my husband of 55 years. I am passionate about patient engagement. I really enjoy reading thrillers. I am an eternal optimist and find the good in everyone.
Featured Materials:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40900-024-00640-9?
https:// blogs.ubc.ca/imhablog/2023/06/28/engaging