Did you know that children, youth and families can have an active role in CHEO research – beyond consenting to participate in a study? You can help to determine the research questions to be answered, influence the study design, and so much more!
This video shares many ways that the general public can help to make discoveries to inspire the best life for every child and youth.
CHEO RI Research Family Leader Program
You can be a partner in the research process at CHEO. One way is through our Research Family Leader Program. We are currently looking for CHEO family members who believe in the impact research can have on the care we provide. As a Family Leader you will be given the opportunity to provide feedback on research projects in two ways: as a Research Project Reviewer or a Research Project Advisor.
Come join our team!
As a Family Leader, your experiences are a powerful tool for inspiring the research we do at CHEO. By sharing your perspective you can make an impact on the discoveries we are making every day that will lead to healthier children and youth in our community and beyond.
Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC)
Check out our Patient and Family Advisory Committee!
Meet our Patient and Family Advisory Committee members.
The Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) works in partnership with the CHEO Research Institute (CHEO-RI) to embed patient and family perspectives into all stages of research, from idea generation to knowledge sharing. The PFAC brings together research staff, family leaders, and youth to ensure that CHEO-RI research reflects the needs, priorities, and lived experiences of the communities we serve.
ENGAGE Newsletter
We want to foster a spirt of collaboration and appreciation for all of the patients and family members who partner with us in research at CHEO. We have a newsletter to update and celebrate our patient and family partners called ENGAGE. Back issues can be viewed in the links below.
ENGAGE Newsletter Issue 109– October 2025
Please see below for plain text ENGAGE Newsletter Issue 109
ENGAGE Newsletter Issue 108– September 2025
Please see below for plain text ENGAGE Newsletter Issue 108
ENGAGE Newsletter Issue 107– August 2025
Please see below for plain text ENGAGE Newsletter Issue 107
Additional Resources
Have you ever wondered how the CHEO Research Institute created its Family Engagement in Research Program (FER)? This podcast explores the topic and shares the experiences of the staff, patients, and family members that developed the foundations of the CHEO Research Institute (RI) FER program.
Listen to the podcast here.
Meet the podcast participants:
• Natasha Baechler and Ellen Song bring the youth voice and are active in the review and advisory roles. They are both current members of the PFAC
• Rhonda Correll, Chief Operating Officer of the CHEO RI
• Kim Courtney, Coordinator of the Family Leader Program at the CHEO RI
• Nicole Obeid, RI researcher and one of the original PFAC members
• Michelle Quinlan, was not able to join the call but is mentioned often. Michelle was a big part of the early days as the original coordinator of the Family Leader Program.
Who may be interested in this podcast?
• If you are considering becoming a member of PFAC or the FER this gives you an inside-look to what it’s all about and the rewarding experience you can expect.
• If you are a researcher looking to involve patients and families in your research this is a great starting point.
• If you are a research institution or body looking to develop a similar program or enhance your patient and family engagement, you will hear from the executive level the journey to implementation.
Don’t have an hour to listen? Here are some quick links to key topics:
• 3.55 How the FER program started? RI staff respond.
• 11:48 How the FER program started? Family leaders respond.
• 17:10 Recruiting? How did the program bring on volunteers.
• 20:10 Strengths? What keeps the group thriving.
• 31:05 Communications? The newsletter, coordination, and connections within the program.
• 37:02 Partnerships? How to ensure partnerships are operating smoothly?
• 43:03 Potential stumbling blocks? Barriers to development
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