The BC SUPPORT Unit Vancouver Island Centre is the first point of contact for stakeholders located in the area served by Island Health.
Located on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Kwakawaka’wakw, and Nuu-chah-nulth cultural families, the Centre serves communities on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and the mainland north of Powell River.
Who We Are
For more information, please contact the following staff members:
| Tara McMillan | Regional Centre Lead and Manager, Patient and Public Research Engagement (Island Health) | Tara provides operational oversight for the Island Centre. |
Taylor Hainstock | Leader, Patient and Public Research Engagement | Taylor connects researchers and patient partners, and provides training and resources to everyone involved in patient-oriented research. |
| Clara Rubincam | Research Navigator (South Island) | Clara offers support for Patient-Oriented Research teams working on ethics and grant applications. Clara works with teams and regional partners on the South Island. |
| Uta Sboto-Frankenstein | Research Navigator (Mid-Island and North Island) | Uta offers support for Patient-Oriented Research teams working on ethics and grant applications. Uta works with teams on the Mid- and North Island. |
| Stephanie Day | Community Research Liaison for the BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research | Stephanie serves to build relationships and support Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities, collectives and organizations to engage in Indigenous-led holistic health research. This role is funded by and works closely with the BC SUPPORT Unit Vancouver Island Centre. |
| Heather Strosher | Knowledge Broker | The Knowledge Broker helps to integrate research into practice by working with research teams to define who they want to engage, how to do it, and what evidence to use. |
| Bernie Lafrance | Patient Partner, Oversight Committee Member (Volunteer) | |
| Emily Gladstone | Patient Partner, Oversight Committee Member (Volunteer) |
Services
Find out more about the services that the Vancouver Island Centre offers on our Services page,or visit the Island Centre's homepage.
Partnerships
The Regional Centre is a collaboration between Island Health, the University of Victoria, and the University of British Columbia’s Island Medical Program. We look forward to collaborating with you!
