More than 30,000 patients and study participants. Over 100 researchers. Twenty-one research projects. Three partner institutions. Two visionary Hamilton philanthropists. One historic legacy gift, following more than 20 years of enhancing the health of Hamiltonians.

And now, one new investment of $5.1 million in health research.

For the fourth year in a row, Margaret Juravinski and her late husband Charles “Charlie” Juravinski have made a substantial gift to the Juravinski Research Institute, a partnership between Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

This $5.1-million gift will continue to support high-priority health research initiatives across the three partner institutions focused on enhancing the health of Hamiltonians and patients throughout the region. Child and youth health and integrated care are the research themes for some of the newly funded projects.

These research initiatives were identified following collaborative brainstorming sessions involving more than 100 researchers and clinicians working together to develop projects that would have the greatest impact on the community.

“The Juravinski Research Institute is bringing to life the legacy that Charlie and I want to leave behind — a legacy of uniting Hamilton’s best health researchers and care providers to make our community a healthier place to live,” Juravinski said.

“I made this new gift knowing Charlie would have wanted to make it too, because we’re continuing to change and improve the lives of patients who rely on health services throughout the city.”

The Juravinski Research Institute was established through the couple’s historic $100-million+ legacy gift in May 2019. It remains one of Canada’s largest ever legacy gifts.

Since then, the Juravinskis have invested an additional $16.5 million to supporting research focused on COVID-19, brain health, health system transformation, age-related macular degeneration and the creation of a burn research lab.

Two of this year’s new Juravinski Research Institute research projects are:

Towards a brighter path for every child in Hamilton 

Social and health disadvantages, such as racial prejudice, food insecurity or limited access to family doctors, can have a negative impact on the physical and mental well-being of children.

This project will unite, for the first time, Hamilton’s child health researchers, clinicians, patients, families and community organizations as they work together to understand these disadvantages, co-develop solutions to increase equitable access to health care and improve overall health for children in the region.

Lead investigators are Katherine Morrison, Rohan D’Souza, Stelios Georgiades, Olaf Kraus de Camargo and Gita Wahi.

Improving equitable access to integrated primary care in residential care facilities: The Juravinski integrated residential care initiative

People living in group homes called “residential care facilities” represent Hamilton’s most vulnerable groups, who often do not have adequate support to meet their health and social needs. Residents require assistance for daily life activities, face barriers and would otherwise be homeless, institutionalized or inadequately supported in other settings. Many residents rely on emergency and hospital care because community services are difficult to access or poorly coordinated.

Working with health, social and housing providers across the Greater Hamilton Health Network, the research team aims to enhance health outcomes by improving equitable access to integrated care in Hamilton’s subsidized residential care facilities.

Lead investigators are Chi-Ling Joanna Sinn, Anthea Innes and Andrew Costa.

To date, 21 research projects have been funded through the Juravinskis’ generosity.

All projects funded by the Juravinski Research Institute are highly collaborative, forward-thinking and build upon the research and clinical expertise in Hamilton.

Everyone can follow in the footsteps of the Juravinski Legacy by creating their own legacy: Click here to learn more about making a gift to the Juravinski Research Institute.

Stay up to date on the Juravinski Research Institute by following the institute on Twitter at @JuravinskiRI or by visiting the website.