Dr. Rebecca Ganann

Bio

Dr. Ganann first joined the School of Nursing at McMaster in 2006 as a part-time faculty member and became a full-time Assistant Professor in 2017. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. She is Co-Scientific Director of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit, the Acting Lead of the McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging (OSSU Research Centre of Aging), and the Lead of the Primary Health Care - Patient Expertise in Research Collaboration (part of the Innovations Strengthening Primary Health Care through Research network). Dr. Ganann is also a researcher with the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging. Dr. Ganann’s research program is focused on integrated health and social service delivery innovations to promote physical and mental health, and mobility among community-dwelling older adults. Her previous research has explored mental health and health services accessibility for immigrant women.

Select Publications

• Neil-Sztramko, S.E., Teggart, K., Moore, C., Sherifali, D., Fitzpatrick-Lewis, D., Coletta, G., Phillips, S.M., Newbold, K.B., Alvarez, E., Kuspinar, A., Kennedy, C.C., Santaguida, P.L., Ganann, R. Community-Based Group Physical Activity and/or Nutrition Interventions to Promote Health and Mobility in Older Adults: An Umbrella Review. BMC Geriatrics 22, 539 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03170-9 .
• Teggart, K., Ganann, R., Sihota, D., Moore, C., Keller, H., Senson, C., Phillips, S.M., Neil-Sztramko, S.E. Group based nutrition interventions to promote health and mobility in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review. Public Health Nutrition 2022 May 16:1-133. DOI: 10.1017/S136898002200115X. 
• Urajnik, D., Ganann, R. (Co-primary authors), Gill, P.J. Patient oriented research: Enhancing partnership-engaged knowledge mobilization for impact.  Healthcare Quarterly 24(Special Issue) April 2022 : 107-110. DOI:10.12927/hcq.2022.2676.
•  Gill, P.J., Urajnik, D., Ganann, R. Empowering and accelerating impacts of patient oriented research. Healthcare Quarterly 24(Special Issue) April 2022 : 5-9. DOI:10.12927/hcq.2022.26781.
•  Scurr, T., Ganann, R., Sibbald, S. L., Valaitis, R., & Kothari, A. (2022). Evaluating public participation in a deliberative dialogue: A single case study. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, x(x), 1-13. DOI: 0.34172/IJHPM.2022.6588.
• Ploeg, J., Markle-Reid, M., Valaitis, R., Fisher, K., Ganann, R., Blais, J., Chambers, T., Connors, R., Gruneir, A., Légaré, F., MacIntyre, J., Montelpare, W., Paquette, J-S., Poitras, M-E., Riveroll, A., Yous, M-L., on behalf of the ACHRU-CPP Research Team. The Aging, Community and Health Research Unit Community Partnership Program for older adults with diabetes and multiple chronic conditions: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Ploeg et al. BMC Geriatrics (2022) 22:99 https://DOI.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02651-7.
•  Ravensbergen-Hodgins, L., Newbold, B., Ganann, R., Sinding, C. 2021 ‘Mobility Work’: Older Adults’ Experiences Using Public Transportation. Journal of Transport Geography Volume 97, Dec. 2021 DOI.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103221
•  Lokker, C., Ganann, R., Gentles, S.J., Jezrawi, R., Tahir, I., Okelana, O., Yousif, C., Iorio, A., Valaitis, R. 2021 Knowledge translation strategies for sharing evidence-based health information with older adults and their caregivers: Findings from a co-design study. BMC Geriatrics. Nov 23;21(1):665. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02588-x.
• Markle-Reid M, Ganann R, Ploeg J, Heald-Taylor G, Kennedy L, McAiney C, Valaitis R. Engagement of older adults with multimorbidity as patient research partners: Lessons from a patient-oriented research program. J Comorb. 2021 Mar 17;11:2633556521999508. doi: 10.1177/2633556521999508. PMID: 33796472; PMCID: PMC7975523. 
• Ganann, R.,Peacock, S., Garnett, A., Northwood, M., Hyde, A., Bookey-Bassett, S., Kennedy, L., Markle-Reid, M., Ploeg, J., Valaitis, R. (2019). Capacity development among academic trainees in community-based primary health care research: The Aging, Community and Health Research Unit Experience. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 20, E139. doi:10.1017/S1463423619000732
• Ganann, R., Weeres, A., Lam, A., Chung, H., & Valaitis, R., (2019) Optimizing the home health nursing workforce in Canada: A scoping review. Health & Social Care in the Community. 00:1-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12797 

Honours

• Postdoctoral Leadership Award, Faculty of Health Sciences Research Plenary, McMaster University, 2017
• TUTOR-PHC Fellowship, CIHR, 2014-2015 ($50,000)
• CIHR Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, 2010-2013 ($150,000)

Grants

•  MacNeil, M. Ganann, R. (Co-PIs), Barker, J., Bayliss, L., Beleno, R., Boyle, J., Cruickshank, C., Huang, M., Leid, C., Ludwig, C., Stans, J., Ramsden, V. Making Primary Care Data Reports meaningful to the public: Co-produced infographics comparing Greater Hamilton Health Network and Ontario-based data. Applied Health Research Question, INSPIRE-PHC/Ministry of Health; $15,000. 2022-2023

• Ganann, R., Neil-Sztramko, S., Phillips, S., Kennedy, C., Newbold, B., Alvarez, L.,Kuspinar, A. (Co-PIs), and the EMBOLDEN team (incl. Sherifali, D., Gillett, J., Santaguida, P., Beauchamp, M., Abelson, J., Flynn, T., Verschoor, C., Mulvale, G., Markle-Reid, M., Griffin, M., Agarwal, G., Thabane, L., Raina, P, MacNeil, M., Teggart, K.) The EMBOLDEN trial: Enhancing physical and community mobility in older adults with health inequities using community co-design of a complex intervention incorporating exercise, nutrition, social participation and system navigation - MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre. MIRA Dixon Hall; $300,000. 2022 – 2024

• Ganann, R., MacNeil, M.  Patient Expertise in Research Collaboration (PERC) – Primary Health Care. Innovations Strengthening Primary Healthcare through Research (INSPIRE) – Ontario SPOR Support Unit (OSSU); Sub-Grant to McMaster University; $300,000. 2022 – 2026

• Lewis, G., MacPhail, C., Murphy, C., Pelletier, M., Ramdass, S., Roche, B., Banerjee, A., Belanger, M., Cafazzo, J., Campbell, D., Carpentier, A., Castle, D., de Mestral, C., Despres, J.P., Dogba, J., Forbes, T., Ganann, R., Griever, M., Kastner, M., King, M., Lipscombe, L., Maberly, D., Markle-Reid, M., McGavock, J., Perkins, B., Rac, V., Rochon, P., Selby, P., Senior, P., Sherifali, D., Tchernof, A., Weisman, A., Witteman, H., Yeung Laiwah, R.; Diabetes Action Canada - Mobilizing Knowledge and Implementing Equitable and Cost-Effective Health and Social Care Services for Persons Living with Diabetes in Canada. CIHR  SPOR Networks – Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Science Grant (2021-12-14); $3,750,000. 2022-2026

• Ganann, R., MacNeil, M.  Patient Expertise in Research Collaboration (PERC) – Primary Health Care Capacity Building. Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Capacity Building - OSSU; Sub-Grant to McMaster University; $90,000. 2021 – 2024 

• Fergusson, D., Hayes, A., Abelson, J., Ganann, R., Gauthier, A., Gill, P., Jones, C., Langford, L., Lavis, J., Persaud, N., Rochon, P., Schull, M., Smith, M., Srinivasan, V., Stewart, M., Taylor, K., Terry, A., Urajnik, D. (Co-PIs);  Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit: Ontario’s Catalyst for Patient-Oriented Research;CIHR SPOR SUPPORT Unit Phase II; $55,803,461 (CIHR $34,199,145; In-kind $21,604,316); other: SPOR SUPPORT Unit grant. 2021–2026    

• Markle-Reid, M., Ganann, R., Abelson, J, Costa, A, Fisher, K., Griffith, L., Sherifali, D., Vrkljan, B, Bassim, C., Beauchamp, M., Boyko, J., Carroll, S., Dolovich, L., Duong, M., Falbo, T., Kaasalainen S., Lamarche L., Lavis, J., Luyckx J., Ma, J., Mangin, D., Nair K., Northwood, M., Papaioannou A., Petrie, P., Raina P., Tarride, J-E., Weldon, D., Wilson, M.; OSSU SPOR Research Centre on Aging; CIHR SPOR Support Unit – Phase II, $1,500,000; operating grant. 2021–2026 

• Ganann, R., Neil-Sztramko, S., Phillips, S., Kennedy, C., Newbold, B., Alvarez, L., Valaitis, R., Kuspinar, A., and the EMBOLDEN Team (including Abelson, J., Agarwal, G., Fisher, K., Gillett, J., Raina, P., Markle-Reid, M., Thabane, L., Flynn, T., Verschoor, C., Sherifali, D., Santaguida, P., Mulvale, G., Vassilev, I., Keller, H., Griffin, M., Beauchamp, M., Orr, E., MacNeil, M.); The EMBOLDEN trial: Enhancing MoBility in OLDEr adults using commuNity co-design; Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)­­—Multisectoral Partnerships to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease Funding Program; $983,565 with $1,435,314 matched funds from Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging; research grant. 2021–2024

•  Ganann, R.; Ontario Early Researcher Award; Ministry of Colleges and Universities; $100,000 with $50,000 matched funds from the School of Nursing, McMaster University, and $40,000 in operating costs from the Government of Ontario; personnel award. 2021–2025
• Abelson, J., Abebe, A., Boothe, K., Chakraborty, C., Davidson, A., Ganann, R., Hassanein, K., Ibhawoh, B., McKay, I., Moll, S., Mulvale, G., van der Linden, C., Wilson, M. Strengthening health policy in Canada through leadership in public engagement: Looking to 2025 and beyond. McMaster Canada Project; $500,000; research grant. 2020–2022 
• Ganann, R., Phillips, S., Kennedy, C., Newbold, B., Alvarez, L., Neil-Sztramko, S., Valaitis, R., Kuspinar, A., (Co-PIs) and the Nutrition, Exercise, and Mobility Team (incl. Leong, D., Sherifali, D., Gillett, J., Beauchamp, M., Abelson, J., Ionnidis, G. Flynn, T., Santaguida, P., Verschoor, C., Agarwal, G., Mulvale, G., Markle-Reid, M., Griffin, M., Bassim, C., Raina, P., Thabane, L., Keller, H., Fisher, K. Enhancing physical and social MoBility, sOcial participation, and system navigation in oLDEr adults with health inequities using commuNity co-design: the EMBOLDEN trial. Labarge Centre for Mobility on Aging: Targeted Call for Proposals on Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism: 2019 – 2023 $1,000,000. https://mira.mcmaster.ca/research/research-projects/the-embolden-trial

• Ploeg, J., Markle-Reid., M., Valaitis, R. (Co-PIs).  Co-Principal Applicants: Dicerni, P., Fisher, K., Ganann, R., Graham, P., Grunier, A., Johnson, B., Légaré, F., Mansell, L., Montelpare, W.J., Reid, P., Tang, F., Upshur, R., Co-Applicants: Ben Charif, A., Blais, J., Eurich, D., Gafni., A., Lewis, G., MacCallum, L., Paquette, J-S., Pritchard, J., Sadowski, C.A., Sherifali, D., Thabane, L., Whiteside, C., & Williamson, T. ACHRU Community Partnership Program for Diabetes Self-Management for Older Adults: Canada. CIHR Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovations Network – Programmatic Grant (2017). (2018 – 2023; $1,846,062; Matching in-kind: $654,563). 

Research

Dr. Ganann’s research interests include: health services and policy research, primary health care, patient-oriented research, knowledge translation and implementation science, health equity, healthy aging, and evidence-informed decision making. In her research, she partners with patients, caregivers, communities, providers, and decision makers.

Courses

Graduate Teaching

2020 ​- present: NUR 715
2017: NUR 712​

Undergraduate Teaching

Dr. Ganann has taught in all levels of the undergraduate program. Dr. Ganann contributes to community health nursing courses in the undergraduate curriculum. She supervises fourth year students in community-based professional practice and research placements.

Presentations

Invited

• Ganann, R., & Beleno, R. (June 8, 2022).  Patient partners and researchers working together: Aging, Community and Health Research Unit – Community Partnership Program for Diabetes Self-Management for Older Adults – Canada. British Columbia Patient Safety and Quality Council. [Virtual oral presentation]
• Ganann, R. (March 25, 2022). Advancing community-based diabetes care for older adults through innovative health care delivery models: Aging, Community and Health Research Unit – Community Partnership Program for Diabetes Self-Management for Older Adults – Canada. 4^th Annual Joint Cardiovascular-Diabetes Symposium. University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON. [Virtual oral presentation].
• Ganann, R., Neil-Sztramko, S. (January 29, 2021) Applying co-design methods to development and testing of a novel intervention to support mobility and address health inequities in older adults: the EMBOLDEN study. Centre for Ageing Research Online Seminar Series. Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. [Virtual oral presentation].   

Peer-reviewed

• Ganann, R., Teggart, K., Wang, A., Nadarajah, A., Moore, C., Carter, N., Neil-Sztramko, S. (May 23-25, 2022), Effectiveness of System Navigation Programs Linking Primary Care with Community-Based Health and Social Services: A Systematic Review. 22^nd International Conference on Integrated Care. [Virtual oral presentation]
• Teggart, K., Ganann, R., Sihota, D., Moore, C., Phillips, S.M., Keller, H., Neil-Sztramko, S.E. (November 19–23, 2021). Group-based nutrition interventions to promote healthy eating among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review to inform community co-design. North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) 49th Annual Meeting. [Virtual oral presentation, on-demand and live].  
• Ganann, R., MacNeil, M., Moore, C., Alvarez, E., Newbold, K.B., Neil-Sztramko, S., Phillips, S.M., Kuspinar, A., Orr, E. (November 19–23, 2021). The EMBOLDEN Co-design study: Partnering with older adults and communities to develop a community program to enhance mobility. North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) 49th Annual Meeting. [Virtual oral presentation, on-demand and live].  
• Neil-Sztramko, S.E., Teggart, K., Moore, C., Sherifali, D, Fitzpatrick-Lewis, D., Coletta, G., Phillips, S.M., Newbold, K.B., Alvarez, E., Kuspinar, A., Kennedy, C.C., Santaguida, P.L, Ganann, R. (November 19–23, 2021). Community-Based Physical Activity and/or Nutrition Interventions to Promote Mobility in Older Adults: An Umbrella Review. North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) 49th Annual Meeting. [Virtual oral presentation, on-demand and live].  
• Ganann, R., Neil-Sztramko, S.E., Phillips, S., Newbold, B., Alvarez, E., Kuspinar, A., Kennedy, C., Moore, C., MacNeil M., Teggart, K. (October 4­–7, 2021). The EMBOLDEN study: Using intervention co-design to enhance physical and community mobility in older adults. 1st North American Conference on Integrated Care. [Virtual oral presentation].  
• MacNeil, M., Ganann, R., Abelson, J., Sherifali, D., Fitzpatrick-Lewis, D., Markle-Reid, M., Raina, P. (2021). What is the impact of older adult PPI in health research? A systematic review. Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research Annual Conference. Toronto, ON, Canada. [Virtual poster presentation].

These presentations showcase a number of current projects which have not yet been published:

• Ganann, R., Valaitis, R., Kothari, A., Terry, A., Agarwal, G., Murray, N., Vasilev, I., Rogers, A. Building a safe, healthy, and socially-connected social housing environment with primary care, public health and residents. 47^th North American Primary Care Research Group Conference, November 16-20, 2019. Toronto, ON, Canada. [Oral presentation]. 
• Ganann, R., MacNeil, M., Moore, C., Alvarez, E., Newbold, K.B., Neil-Sztramko, S., Phillips, S.M., Kuspinar, A., Orr, E. (November 19–23, 2021). The EMBOLDEN Co-design study: Partnering with older adults and communities to develop a community program to enhance mobility. North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) 49th Annual Meeting. [Virtual oral presentation, on-demand and live].  
• MacNeil, M., Ganann, R., Abelson, J., Sherifali, D., Fitzpatrick-Lewis, D., Markle-Reid, M., Raina, P. (2021). What is the impact of older adult PPI in health research? A systematic review. Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research Annual Conference. Toronto, ON, Canada. [Virtual poster presentation].
• Ganann, R., Valaitis, R., Kothari, A., Terry, A., Agarwal, G., Murray, N., Vasilev, I., Rogers, A. Building a safe, healthy, and socially-connected social housing environment with primary care, public health and residents. 47^th North American Primary Care Research Group Conference, November 16-20, 2019. Toronto, ON, Canada. [Oral presentation]. 

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