Advancing
Rural Healthcare.
Brightshores Research Institute, based in Ontario's Grey-Bruce region, advances healthcare through research and innovation dedicated to meet the distinct needs of rural communities.
Local research meeting local challenges in healthcare...
The healthcare challenges faced by rural and remote areas differ significantly from those faced by their urban cousins. Limited access to facilities, fewer specialized providers, and significant travel distances underline those differences. Rural healthcare is about more than medicine; it’s about overcoming logistical and connectivity barriers, navigating resource shortages, and addressing the specific health needs of smaller, often underserved populations. Understanding these differences is essential to crafting effective solutions that provide equitable care for all, no matter their postal code.
About
Connecting researchers with the resources they need
We connect researchers with health care providers, patients and their caregivers, and partners in government, industry and academia for specific opportunities — facilitating collective efforts that will have impact on rural healthcare.
Conducting essential and transformative research
We focus our efforts on research that matters and makes a difference in the lives of people living in rural communities, their families and health care providers.
Breaking down silos
We break down traditional silos by evaluating new models of care that integrate primary care providers, specialists, mental health services, hospital and community resources to bridge gaps caused by geographic distances and resource shortages.
Research Areas of Focus
Enhancing the Ability for People to Age in Place
Did You Know?
- The Journal of Aging Health found that seniors who stay at home are 20% less likely to suffer from serious illnesses compared to those in nursing homes
- A 2017 Harvard study revealed that seniors staying at home lowers the risk of cognitive decline by 30%
- Seniors are 30% more active at home, directly correlating to longer life expectancy
- 68% of Canadian seniors say they feel more connected when they stay at home, and have 45% more social interactions with family and friends compared to those in care facilities
- The Canadian Institute for Health Information estimates that for every senior who ages in place, the healthcare system saves between $24,000 and $30,000 annually
Enhancing the Ability for People to Age in Place
We all know aging is part of life, but how and where we age can make a world of difference. Research shows that seniors who age at home enjoy better physical and mental health, staying more active and socially connected than those in care facilities. Aging in place also provides a sense of independence and is significantly more cost-effective for both families and the healthcare system.
The Grey Bruce Region has one of the largest populations of seniors in Ontario. Aging in place, supported by the right care, can mean a longer, happier, and healthier life. Brightshores Research Institute is committed to helping people age where they want to — at home. We aim to create innovative solutions that allow older adults to live independently and safely in their own homes and communities as they age while also addressing the unique healthcare challenges and opportunities in rural settings.
Source: Powell, A., & Powell, A. (2024, July 15). Alzheimer’s study finds diet, lifestyle changes yield improvements. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/07/alzheimers-study-finds-diet-lifestyle-changes-yield-improvements/
Improving Access to Healthcare
Did You Know?
- Almost one-fifth of Canadians (18%) live in rural communities
- Rural populations are generally older, less affluent, and experience higher rates of chronic illnesses compared to urban residents
- Only about 8% of physicians practice in these regions
- Canadians living in rural areas often must travel five times the distance to access healthcare services compared to their urban counterparts, posing significant barriers to timely medical attention.
Improving Access to Healthcare
Access to quality healthcare is a significant challenge for people living in rural communities. Residents often face unique barriers to healthcare that urban populations do not encounter, including geographic isolation, a shortage of medical providers, and limited access to specialized care. Brightshores Research Institute aims to redefine healthcare access for people living in rural communities by addressing the challenges and barriers that prevent people from obtaining timely, affordable, and high-quality health services closer to home.
Current Projects
Advanced AI Wound Care
This ambitious initiative will focus on driving the adoption of innovative wound care technology designed to provide precise measurements and assessments of wounds. This project focuses on the adoption and evaluation Swift Medical’s AI-powered wound assessment, decision support and predictive care technologies and aims to demonstrate how Canadian leadership in AI decision support can enable better patient outcomes, more cost-conscious resource utilization and enhanced health system capacity to increase access and equity in rural communities.
Project Partners:
With Funding From:
“We are thrilled about the potential impact of this technology on both our providers and patients. By placing this powerful tool in the hands of our frontline staff, we are paving the way for enhanced clinical decision-making, streamlined workflows, and ultimately, improved patient experiences.”
Diana Ryman, Director of Quality and Safety, Brightshores Health System
Supporting Our Healthcare Workers
Did You Know?
- Rural communities in Ontario are losing primary care providers at a rate of 12% per year, exacerbating the existing healthcare crisis.
- The number of rural residents without access to a family physician or family health team is increasing four times faster than in urban areas.
- Rural communities face critical shortages of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, which has led to unplanned closures of emergency rooms and limited healthcare options for residents.
- Rural areas tend to have older populations, which increases the demand for healthcare services and adds pressure on the existing workforce.
Supporting Our Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers in rural Ontario are facing significant challenges that impact their ability to provide effective care. They are working longer hours than ever before, with increased levels of overtime and absenteeism due to work-related stress. The cumulative effect of staffing shortages and increased workload has led to unprecedented levels of burnout among healthcare workers, affecting their well-being and patient care. These challenges highlight the need for targeted interventions to support healthcare workers and improve access to care in rural Ontario. Brightshores Research Institute aims to better enable the rural healthcare workforce to collaborate more effectively across care settings, reduce their administrative burden and apply the full extent of their training, skills, scope of practice and licensure so they can focus on what matters most to them — caring for their patients.
Current Projects
Implementation of a Customizable Call Bell System
Current communication call systems do not let nurses and personal support workers know what types of requests their patients are making, and which patients need immediate help. On average, nurses are assigned between five to nine patients each, where roughly 56% of requests made by patients are non-urgent requests.
By prioritizing patient requests and providing nurses with proactive insights, PatientCompanion aims to help reduce response times for urgent care needs and improve patient outcomes by improving nursing workflows and empowering staff to deliver care more efficiently and effectively.
Project Partners:
With Funding From:
Learn More
Brightshores Health System Media ReleaseAdvancing Palliative Care in the Grey Bruce Region
In rural areas like Grey Bruce, palliative care education and training is crucial as access to specialized palliative care services is limited and most palliative care is delivered by primary care, hospitalists, and in acute care settings.
Dr. Kelly Fenn, Physician Lead for Community Palliative Care in Grey Bruce, in partnership with Brightshores will evaluate Pallium Canada’s Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP) courses recently completed by health care providers and system administrators in the Grey Bruce region.
With Funding From:
The Grey Bruce Region
This beautiful region spans 8600 square km of largely rural geography in Southwestern Ontario. Located along the southwestern shoreline of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, is a predominantly rural area known for its natural beauty, small towns, and strong agricultural heritage.
Unique Challenges
The region has a higher proportion of seniors compared to the provincial average, reflecting an aging population. The population is predominantly European Canadian, with Indigenous communities, including the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, playing a significant role.
Key industries include agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, with a lifestyle centred on close-knit communities and outdoor recreation.
The region faces challenges like limited healthcare access, chronic health issues, and economic disparities. During the summer, the population significantly increases due to the influx of “seasonal residents” and tourists drawn to the area's natural attractions, including beaches, hiking trails, and national parks. This seasonal population surge puts added pressure on local infrastructure, including healthcare services.
Our People
Leadership and Research Team
Neil MacLean, PhD, MBA
Executive Director
Neil MacLean is an entrepreneurial senior leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth, integration, and sustainability in healthcare organizations, particularly within disruptive and complex environments. A visionary and strategic thinker, he has co-founded and scaled transformational initiatives, including the Ontario Telemedicine Network, one of the world’s most active telemedicine networks.
As the inaugural Executive Director of Brightshores Research Institute, Neil is focused on enhancing the health and wellness of rural communities through innovative research, strategic partnerships, and integrated care models. His expertise spans virtual care, digital health, patient and provider engagement, and change management, positioning him to drive impactful advancements in care delivery.
Throughout his career, Neil has led high-impact projects such as regional digital health strategies for mental health services, hospital-to-home programs integrated with primary and home care and securing funding for transformative initiatives. His ability to build strong partnerships across government, academia, and industry has driven sustainable solutions and improved healthcare access for diverse populations.
Rebecca Brookham, PhD
Director
Rebecca Brookham is a dedicated healthcare leader, respected for her innovative and tenacious approach to “believing in different.” With a deep-rooted passion for advancing health and wellness in rural regions, Rebecca was the lead in developing the inaugural Brightshores Health System’s Office of Research & Innovation.
Armed with a robust educational background in health sciences, Rebecca’s academic journey has shaped a commitment to understanding the interconnectedness of healthcare worker wellness, patient-centred care, and the overall health of communities. Her professional experience has provided valuable insight into the challenges faced by rural health systems. It has led to a driving force behind supporting innovative models of care that prioritize the well-being of both patients and healthcare providers.
Rebecca’s leadership is characterized by a strong commitment to inspiring others, fostering collaboration, and advocating for equitable access to care in rural communities. Her strategic mindset enables the development of comprehensive, forward-thinking solutions. Rebecca’s relentless drive for positive change is a beacon of hope for a brighter future in rural healthcare.
Kailyn Clarke, MSc
Research Coordinator
Between her education and professional background, Kailyn is experienced in designing and conducting applied clinical research and innovation projects in a healthcare setting. Local to Bruce County, Kailyn is excited to use her expertise in innovation and passion for clinical research to serve her community. She holds a Master’s of Science in Population Medicine with a focus in Applied Clinical Research from the University of Guelph.
Rebecca Johnson, MSc
Research Coordinator
Rebecca holds a Master’s degree in health service research from the University of Toronto and brings with her a professional background conducting research in both mental health and primary care settings. She has supported various healthcare quality improvement initiatives, and a has a robust background in research methods and design. Rebecca is passionate about using healthcare innovation to improve population health and increase access to care through an equity- and patient-centered lens.
Board of Directors
Kathy Steegstra
Chair and Independent
Board Member
Kathy Steegstra is a respected healthcare leader and executive coach with over 40 years of experience transforming healthcare delivery. She began her career as a pediatric nurse in Ontario gaining a deep understanding of the province’s healthcare needs before advancing into executive leadership roles with a focus on improving access to care and enhancing the patient and provider experience.
As the inaugural Board Chair of Bright Shores Research Institute, Kathy plays a pivotal role in guiding the organization's strategic vision and governance. She brings extensive expertise in healthcare leadership, strategic planning, and relationship-building to support the Institute's mission. Kathy is deeply inspired by Brightshores' commitment to improving rural health and wellness through equitable, evidence-based and accessible care.
Guided by her core values of integrity, wellness, innovation and collaboration, she is honoured to lead the Board in advancing sustainable, community-focused solutions for rural healthcare challenges.
Kathy Winter
Vice Chair and Independent
Board Member
Kathy has enjoyed a lifelong career in healthcare, is a nurse by training and has worked across Canada helping health ministries, hospitals and other healthcare providers with a variety of strategic and operational challenges. Kathy is currently a Quality Research Specialist at Hamilton Health Sciences and collaborates on a variety of projects related to pre-hospital medicine. Kathy also had an academic research appointment at the University of Toronto.
Kathy is the Vice Chair of the Board and brings a broad perspective on healthcare, research’s contribution to care and the unique issues and opportunities related to rural health. She is excited about the focus and mandate of Brightshores Research Institute and this incredible opportunity to forge partnerships and make a unique contribution to the lives of our communities.
Thanesh Yogarajah
Treasurer and Independent
Board Member
Thanesh Yogarajah brings over 20 years of experience leading financial operations and driving strategic initiatives across a variety of industries, including healthcare, seniors living, long-term care and technology sectors. Throughout his career, Thanesh has demonstrated a strong ability to merge financial strategies with operational insights, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve sustainable growth. He has worked with private companies and not-for-profit organizations, with notable roles as the Canadian CFO for two multinationals and a provincial government agency.
As a member of the Board, Thanesh contributes his extensive expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. He brings a proven ability to align organizational goals with long-term strategies and guide their successful execution. Thanesh’s experience navigating mergers, acquisitions, and value-creation programs will add depth to the Board's strategic discussions and decision-making.
Thanesh is deeply motivated by Brightshores Research Institute’s mission to improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities in Ontario. He is passionate about supporting initiatives that foster equitable healthcare solutions, and he is committed to contributing to a cause that addresses critical healthcare needs in underserved regions and helps shape meaningful solutions for underserved populations.
Fanny Sie
Independent Board Member
Fanny Sie is the Head of AI and Emerging Technology External Collaborations – Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnering at Roche Global Informatics. She engages with innovators and entrepreneurs to support opportunity management and the deployment of Responsible and Ethical AI-driven solutions. Career highlights include treating patients bedside as a Radiation Therapist, developing and implementing radiotherapy technologies, acting as a commercial agent for 15 academic institutions, and government relations for an organization solely funded by the Federal government.
Fanny joined Roche in 2019 as the Head of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health for Roche Canada and is the founder of the Roche AI Centre of Excellence (AI with Roche). She has extensive experience as a clinician, researcher and business development professional in the area of medical devices, AI and analytics, and digital health assets.
Brightshores Research Institute is the perfect place to further advance her personal commitment to health equity.
Garrett Tone
Independent Board Member
Garrett Tone is the Executive Director for Life Sciences at Invest Ontario, the province’s economic development agency. Over the last 17 years, Garrett has held a variety of executive leadership roles for both large multinationals and health tech start-ups across an array of industries including MedTech, In-vitro Diagnostics and Biotech. He’s worked with clients around the world, namely the US, Europe, Asia and Australia and with his experience, Garrett brings a unique, well-rounded and pan-industry approach to securing high-profile investments on behalf of the province.
Garrett’s passion for innovation and commitment to improving the standards of care in medicine aligns perfectly with the ambitions of Brightshores Research Institute and the impact we aim to have in community care.
Dr. Martha Rogers
Ex-Officio Member from
Brightshores Health System
Martha is a Senior Scholar in the Faculty of Health at York University. She has been a Director and Officer of the Brightshores Health System for nearly a decade, Chairing Quality, Resources and Partnerships & External Relations Committees. Previously, she was a Director on the Board of the Southeast Grey Community Health Centre. She has been a strong advocate for rural health and healthy communities.
Martha aims to apply her governance experience to the newly formed Board of the Brightshores Research Institute. She is inspired by and committed to the ambitions of the Institute as it strives to impact rural health and health care in our region and beyond.
Paul Sinclair
Ex-Officio Member from
Brightshores Health System
Paul is a semi-retired consultant working in the healthcare, clinical research, and association management fields. He spent 15 years in the pharmaceutical sector performing clinical research and thereafter 20 years in the medical association management field.
Paul is excited about the establishment of the Brightshores Research Institute and the opportunity to improve health and wellness of the community with innovative research.
Ex-Officio Non-Voting Members
Ann Ford
President & CEO,
Brightshores Health System
Ann Ford is an executive healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience leading hospitals with demonstrated strategic vision, innovative leadership and a commitment to support the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare services.
As the President and CEO of Brightshores Health System, Ann is focused on building a strong and sustainable rural healthcare system. Through stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships, Ann strives to create an environment of innovation and motivation for positive change in rural healthcare delivery.
Ann looks forward to working closely with the Brightshores Research Institute as a key partner in the transformational change needed in rural healthcare delivery. She believes that by working together to address challenges and create opportunities, rural communities will benefit from our collective efforts.
Neil MacLean, PhD, MBA
Executive Director,
Brightshores Research Institute
Neil MacLean is an entrepreneurial senior leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth, integration, and sustainability in healthcare organizations, particularly within disruptive and complex environments. A visionary and strategic thinker, he has co-founded and scaled transformational initiatives, including the Ontario Telemedicine Network, one of the world’s most active telemedicine networks.
As the inaugural Executive Director of Brightshores Research Institute, Neil is focused on enhancing the health and wellness of rural communities through innovative research, strategic partnerships, and integrated care models. His expertise spans virtual care, digital health, patient and provider engagement, and change management, positioning him to drive impactful advancements in care delivery.
Throughout his career, Neil has led high-impact projects such as regional digital health strategies for mental health services, hospital-to-home programs integrated with primary and home care and securing funding for transformative initiatives. His ability to build strong partnerships across government, academia, and industry has driven sustainable solutions and improved healthcare access for diverse populations.
Partnerships
Expanding Capabilities Through Collaborative Partnerships
Becoming a Leader in Rural Research
In 2023, Brightshores Health System had the bold vision of creating a research institute and becoming a leader in rural health research. The launch of Brightshores Research Institute is a result of this vision and we continue to be inspired by the support of the Brightshores Health System family. Through a partnership agreement, Brightshores Health System provides us access to people (physicians, clinicians, patients), ideas and resources that promote rural research. A heartfelt thank you to Brightshores Health System for being a change-maker, and recognizing that the future is bright.
Brightshores Health System operates six hospitals in the Grey Bruce region with over 3,000 staff, physicians and volunteers working together to deliver patient care to residents and visitors of Grey Bruce per year. Brightshores is committed to building healthier communities by providing exceptional healthcare.
Learn more about Brightshores Health SystemOur Partners
By working together, we are able to pool our collective expertise, resources, and perspectives, enabling us to tackle complex challenges that no single one of us could solve on our own. Partnerships also build resilience by sharing risks and responsibilities, ensuring no one bears the burden alone. This approach also creates opportunities for learning and growth, as diverse viewpoints spark creativity and lead to more effective solutions. The collective power of partnerships to improve rural healthcare enhances impact, builds trust, and achieves outcomes that surpass the sum of individual efforts. Together, we are stronger, more resourceful, and better equipped to succeed.
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What’s New at Brightshores Research Institute
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research@brightshores.ca