A Memorable Launch for the CPCRN

Brenda Andreas (centre, holding the microphone) and the Patient Council.

The CPCRN officially launched on May 31, 2023, in Montreal. We are thrilled to share this post-event wrap-up with you.

More than sixty people joined us in person and online. While many of us have known and worked with each other for years, it was the first time most of us were all in the same room together. This made the event all the more special.

CPCRN Executive Director, Jamie DeMore, acted as the Master of Ceremony. Dr. Alex M McComber opened the event with a land acknowledgement. This was grounding and served as a reminder of our shared responsibilities and the interconnectedness of everyone and everything.

Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya, CPCRN’s Nominated Principal Investigator, provided an insightful presentation on the future of primary care research in Canada, including its challenges and opportunities. While underlining the importance of enhancing the patient’s role in health care, Dr. Bhattacharyya also described how the CPCRN, and networked research in general, can facilitate cumulative learning and maximize collective impact in primary care. As well, there were short presentations from the Principal Investigators and research coordinators representing all eight CPCRN-funded research projects.

In a memorable and powerful moment, Brenda Andreas, patient partner and Patient Council chair, invited the rest of the attending Patient Council members to join her in standing in the front of the gathering, reminding us that the reason we do this work is for people and for each other.

The Launch wrapped up with some food, drinks and socializing.

Participants greatly appreciated the presentations, as well as the opportunity to learn more about the CPCRN’s work:

Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event! I appreciated that it took place immediately proceeding CAHSPR.
I loved the opportunity to gather together in person!
The opening with the Elder from Montreal set the tone for the meeting, which flowed very nicely into the presentation done by Onil, which then came full circle with the introduction of the Patient Council.
Very interesting and glad you could do it virtually.
Just excellent! Looking forward to more research.

As we embark on this new chapter, we will remember the value of our connections, our relationships and of working together in the journey to improve primary care. We are excited to work, to learn, to research, and to grow with you in the months and years to come.

Documents from the event: