REGINA — A powerful new partnership is taking shape in Saskatchewan, one that leaders say will redefine how the province understands, supports and protects children and families for generations to come.
The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation announced Thursday it is investing $1.5 million into the University of Regina Child Trauma Research Centre, marking a major step forward in pediatric and maternal health research across the province.
The announcement, made at the University of Regina’s Humanities Building, establishes the university as the first recipient of the foundation’s Provincial Maternal and Pediatric Research Fund and signals what officials describe as a long-term commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
“This is a partnership in action, a partnership that will strengthen research capacity,” explained JPCHF CEO Troy Davies. “This will translate into better care for children and families across our province.”
Davies emphasized the investment has been years in the making, driven by leadership within the foundation and a growing recognition of the need for province-wide impact.
“Our board of directors… brought it forward, and one thing that's really important to know is that even though our hospital is located in Saskatoon, our support doesn't stop at the borders.”
He stressed the foundation’s commitment extends across Saskatchewan.
“We support province-wide, anything to do with research or children and maternal health… today’s announcement is something that we're extremely excited about.”
At the core of that commitment is a clear belief in the role research plays in shaping the future.
“Research is the key for the future of our children,” Davies added, pointing to the foundation’s evolving focus beyond hospital care.
The human reality behind the research
For those working on the front lines of pediatric care, the need for this work is deeply personal.
Dr. Greg Hanson, a pediatric intensivist and foundation board member, spoke candidly about the realities he has witnessed.
“A kid’s life is precious. Their family structure is equally as precious,” he shared. “In my ICU, when I'm on service, I often see kids who are critically ill who may have been able to avoid that event… had there been other choices, other decisions that were made prior to that.”
That question — what could have been done — is driving the research forward.
The Child Trauma Research Centre has been working to answer that question since its launch in 2020.
“This support reflects our shared responsibility to the children, youth, families and communities in the Province of Saskatchewan,” expressed director Dr. Nathalie Reid. “Today’s announcement is a catalyst… strengthening and growing our commitment to collaborative pediatric and maternal health research.”
The centre has already led 29 research projects focused on child and youth mental health, early intervention and the long-term impacts of trauma. Its work also extends into areas such as educational outcomes for youth in care and the generational effects of trauma during the perinatal period.
Collaboration is central to that effort, bringing together researchers, community organizations and families to better understand and respond to complex challenges.
Dr. Laurentiu Givelichian described the partnership as both urgent and deeply meaningful.
“It’s a unique partnership… a strong alliance to stop violence against children,” he said. “Ultimately, we are all trying to change the story, to move from trauma to resilience, from adversity to opportunity, from simply surviving to truly thriving.”
The impact of the investment is expected to reach far beyond Regina, shaping care, policy and research across Saskatchewan and potentially across Canada.
University of Regina vice-president of research Dr. Christopher Yost underscored the long-term significance of the funding.
“Funding will allow researchers… to continue their crucial work in supporting mothers, children and those who give care for and support them,” he said. “Helping to pave the way for long-term cognitive, emotional and economic successes for years to come.”
A future built on prevention and hope
Davies pointed to a deeper goal behind the investment — reducing the need for hospital care in the first place.
“We had close to 85,000 children visit our hospital last year, we want to reduce that number,” he said. “So the ultimate goal is to not have kids visit our hospital.”
That vision includes strengthening care closer to home for families across Saskatchewan.
“The more that we can treat patients in their home communities and not take them out of their communities is key for us,” he explained, highlighting the importance of innovation such as virtual care.
Speakers throughout the announcement returned to a shared theme: “Behind every statistic, every number, every story, there is always a child,” Givelichian said. “And we need to be there with that child.”
