Transforming Healthcare: The 2025 Knowledge Translation Challenge

In a groundbreaking move for healthcare, Fraser Health proudly announces that eight deserving teams have been awarded Knowledge Translation (KT) Challenge grants, each receiving an average of $5,000. This initiative, supported by local hospital foundations and Michael Smith Health Research BC, is designed to empower healthcare professionals to adopt innovative practices that significantly enhance patient care.

Kate Keetch, the director of Evaluation and Research Services at Fraser Health, emphasizes the critical role of the KT program. "By translating research into practice, KT can lead to improved patient outcomes and healthcare services," she states. "Equipping healthcare providers with access to the latest evidence and strategies fosters quality improvement and innovation—this is the essence of the KT Challenge, and we're excited to see so many teams embarking on this journey in our inaugural year. "

Making Pelvic Exams Comfortable: A Focus on Women’s Health at Surrey Memorial Hospital

Ask any woman about her most dreaded medical procedures, and pelvic exams often top the list. Despite their importance in reproductive health for detecting conditions like infections and cancer, they are frequently associated with discomfort.

Recognizing this issue, physiotherapist Jessica Adaszynski and her team—including registered nurse Amanda Lewis and Chronic Pain Clinic manager Laurie Chiesa—are on a mission to revolutionize the pelvic exam experience. With the backing of the KT grant from Fraser Health, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and Surrey Hospitals Foundation, they are crafting training protocols and informative resources for the Family Birthing Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Their goal? To provide healthcare staff with effective techniques for ensuring a much more comfortable experience for patients. Among the innovative tools being introduced is a cutting-edge plastic pelvis, designed to help patients understand the procedures being performed.

Jessica highlights the importance of this initiative: "With newer procedures like take-home cervical screenings, some birthing parents arrive with little knowledge of what to expect during a pelvic exam. By training clinicians and equipping patients with comprehensive information, we aim to minimize pain and enhance the overall patient experience."

Through these efforts, Fraser Health demonstrates a commitment to not just improving practices, but truly transforming patient care in a meaningful way.