Donation to fund research to understand and address disparities in health outcomes for cancer screening
Mississauga, ON – July 20, 2023 – Trillium Health Partners Foundation (THPF) is thrilled to announce a $1 million donation from the CIBC Foundation to Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) research and innovation engine, the Institute for Better Health (IBH). This investment will help advance research to improve equity in patient care through a better understanding of health disparities in the community, with a focus on cancer screening.
Through its foundation, CIBC is advancing its commitment to supporting cancer research and organizations that are helping make progress towards creating a future where no one has to fear a cancer diagnosis. “Cancer is a cause that is very important to us at CIBC because it affects so many Canadians, including our team members, clients, and loved ones. CIBC is proud to support Trillium Health Partners as they work to improve the lives of all people living with cancer,” says CIBC Foundation Executive Director, Ronan Ryan.
A cornerstone of the work at IBH focuses on understanding the health of our community and taking a population health-oriented lens to planning and designing systems of care for the patients we serve. Dr. Rosella, the esteemed inaugural Stephen Family Research Chair in Community Health and Scientist at IBH, is a star in her field and recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40. Her research interests include population health, population-based risk tools to support public health planning and public health policy.
This funding will support exploration of current patterns and trends in cancer screening. Maximizing organized cancer screening programs, which in Ontario are carried out under the purview of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), is key to the success of these programs. This project will explore health variation and inequalities among important equity-seeking groups to improve screening rates. In partnership with the hospital’s Regional Cancer Program, these learnings will augment and enhance work that is currently underway with the Regional Cancer Program to support health system planning, both for THP and community partners.
“With enriched insights into the health disparities that exist in our community, and philanthropic support from the CIBC Foundation, we will be able to better understand the ways we can more inclusively care for our diverse community and ensure the importance of screening in cancer is offered equitably to as many people in our community as possible,” says Dr. Rosella.
The funding will also support local and regional approaches to organized cancer screening, informed by both data and the expertise of providers and patients in our cancer programs. Despite improved cancer survival, persistent disparities disproportionately affect certain populations. IBH will focus on breast, colorectal and cervical screening, aiming to expand the reach of programs to meet community needs, addressing awareness, access, equity and experience. IBH’s work from this project can help benefit other cancer screening programs on a provincial, national and international scale and learnings will be scaled to inform other preventative services offered at THP.
“We are immensely grateful to our partner, the CIBC Foundation, for their generous donation, which will fuel ground-breaking research and innovation in the realm of population health. Unwavering support from the Bank’s foundation empowers us to unlock new possibilities, advance scientific knowledge, and create transformative solutions for the well-being of everyone in our community. Together, we are driving positive change and shaping a more equitable future in health care. Thank you, CIBC Foundation, for being a catalyst of progress and a champion of population health,” says Caroline Riseboro, CEO and President, Trillium Health Partners Foundation.
About Trillium Health Partners
Trillium Health Partners (THP) is one of the largest community-based hospital systems in Canada. Comprised of Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga Hospital and Queensway Health Centre, THP serves the growing and diverse populations of Mississauga, West Toronto, and surrounding communities. THP is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, an associate member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network and a proud member of Mississauga’s Ontario Health Team. THP is committed to reducing inequities and improving health in the community. Visit www.trilliumhealthpartners.ca.
About the Institute for Better Health
As Trillium Health Partner’s (THP) research and innovation engine, the Institute for Better Health (IBH) is a core enabler of THP’s mission of a new kind of health care for a healthier community through the application of scientific expertise, innovative thinking and partnerships. Focused on generating cutting-edge science and innovation in health service delivery and population health, IBH leads practical research and innovation that shapes how we engage, design, deliver, and sustain health care to solve problems stretching from the bedside to the system. For more information, please visit instituteforbetterhealth.com.
About Trillium Health Partners Foundation
Trillium Health Partners Foundation is dedicated to raising the critical funds needed to address the highest priority needs of Trillium Health Partners, the largest community-based hospital network in Canada. For more information, please visit trilliumgiving.ca.
About CIBC Foundation
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. The CIBC Foundation serves our commitment to creating a world without limits to ambition by championing inclusive communities, investing in financial education and supporting cancer research, treatment, education and support programs through corporate donations and community partnerships. Learn more about our community impact. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/en/about-cibc/media-centre.html.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Keeley Rogers
Senior Communications Advisor ‐ Content Production, Communications and Public Affairs
Trillium Health Partners
Keeley.rogers@thp.ca
416‐303‐8159