We’re on a mission to transform rural healthcare.
At Brightshores Research Institute, we are driving rural health research by combining evaluation rigor with innovative thinking. Guided by a national vision, we strive to improve health outcomes in rural communities by fostering collaboration, embracing new ideas, and sharing our learning with others.
As an independent entity, the Institute operates with a national mandate. Our work reaches beyond specific regions and healthcare providers, focusing on advancing integrated community-based health care and upstream solutions that keep people well. Rooted in evidence-driven approaches, the Institute aims to tackle complex rural health challenges and generate impact.
By moving beyond traditional boundaries and silos, we collaborate with healthcare providers and community organizations, government, academia, and industry to evaluate new and innovative approaches to improve rural healthcare.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Values
Research Areas of Focus
Enhancing the Ability for People to Age in Place
Enhancing the Ability for People to Age in Place
Aging is a natural 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.
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 — where they call home. We aim to create innovative solutions that allow older adults to live independently and safely in their communities as they age while also addressing the unique healthcare challenges and opportunities in rural settings.
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 had a 30% lower risk of cognitive decline, and are 30% more active —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
Sources:
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
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.
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.
Rural and remote areas have more than twice the proportion of ED visits for conditions that could be managed in primary care than urban areas do. 24% of ED visits in rural and remote areas are for such conditions, compared with 11% in urban areas
1 in 4 hospitalizations in rural areas have a high travel burden, especially when residents need specialized care that isn’t available locally.
Sources:
Mitura, V., & Bollman, R. D. (2003, October). The health of rural Canadians: A rural‑urban comparison of health indicators (Rural and Small Town Canada Analysis Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 6). Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/21-006-x/21-006-x2002006-eng.pdf
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (n.d.). Rural health care in Canada. CIHI. https://www.cihi.ca/en/topics/rural-health-care-in-canada
Rural Ontario Municipal Association. (2024, January 21). Fill the gaps closer to home: Improving access to health services for rural Ontario. Rural Ontario Municipal Association. https://www.roma.on.ca/sites/default/files/assets/IMAGES/Home/ROMA%20Report%20-%20Fill%20the%20Gaps%20Closer%20to%20Home%20January%2021%202024%20FINAL%20Draft-Reduced.pdf
Supporting Our Healthcare Workers
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.
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.
65% of rural Ontario municipalities reported that healthcare workers are overwhelmed by heavy workloads, contributing to stress and burnout.
Sources:
Mitura, V., & Bollman, R. D. (2003, October). The health of rural Canadians: A rural‑urban comparison of health indicators (Rural and Small Town Canada Analysis Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 6). Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/21-006-x/21-006-x2002006-eng.pdf
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (n.d.). Rural health care in Canada. CIHI. https://www.cihi.ca/en/topics/rural-health-care-in-canada
Rural Ontario Municipal Association. (2024, January 21). Fill the gaps closer to home: Improving access to health services for rural Ontario. Rural Ontario Municipal Association. https://www.roma.on.ca/sites/default/files/assets/IMAGES/Home/ROMA%20Report%20-%20Fill%20the%20Gaps%20Closer%20to%20Home%20January%2021%202024%20FINAL%20Draft-Reduced.pdf
Our Strategic Plan
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.
Nabeela Ratansi, MBA
Chief of Staff
Nabeela is a global strategy and operations leader with over 20 years of experience in spearheading organizational excellence, system transformation, and sustainable impact across the healthcare and global nonprofit sectors. She is known for her ability to build new capabilities, orchestrate large-scale change, and deliver measurable results through a values-based approach. Her expertise in developing and launching new strategies position her as an architect of organizational growth and innovation.
Throughout her career, Nabeela has championed high-impact strategic priorities, including pioneering a global operations function at the Mastercard Foundation to advance youth employment opportunities, driving funding reform at Cancer Care Ontario to enhance cancer care delivery, establishing business support infrastructure at eHealth Ontario, and driving provincial-wide hospital transformation at University Health Network.
As a committed community advocate, Nabeela brings over a decade of nonprofit board experience, most recently focused on girls' education and empowerment in rural communities. Nabeela combines strategic acumen with deep experience in operations, governance, stakeholder engagement, and performance measurement. She is playing a key role in activating the Institute’s strategy, building its operational backbone, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and driving lasting outcomes.
Kailyn Clarke, MSc
Research Manager
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 Manager
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 Winter
Interim Board Chair
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
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
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
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.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Rural Healthcare.
As we expand our work and impact, we’re seeking dedicated people to help shape our future and ensure our mission continues to thrive in meaningful, sustainable ways.