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About Us

Discover health research studies happening in British Columbia with REACH BC, a non-profit provincial platform that connects volunteers with opportunities posted by researchers across the province.

About REACH BC

REACH BC is an initiative of Michael Smith Health Research BC, British Columbia's health research agency. We are a non-profit initiative that offers researchers in British Columbia a reliable health research platform: through REACH BC, volunteers are matched with health research studies and the researchers involved, across the province of BC, based on their chosen health categories.

REACH BC helps enable and catalyze health research in BC and is part of the organizational strategy working towards a future where BC is recognized worldwide for its vibrant, coherent, inclusive, and globally competitive health research system, which improves the health of British Columbians, the health system, and the economy.

What we do

REACH BC is bridging the gap between the public and researchers. We make it easier for patients and the public to find out what health research is happening in BC, to connect with researchers, and to participate.

Our team

REACH BC Director, Alison Orth

REACH BC Program Manager, Aisling Quigley

REACH BC Platform Administrator, Aine Wilcox

Contact us

Feel free to contact us: info@reachbc.ca

For marketing, publicity, or media inquiries: aquigley@healthresearchbc.ca

Phone: (604) 730 - 8322

Address: Suite 200, 1285 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3X8

REACH BC ambassadors

The following groups and organizations have partnered with REACH BC to create awareness.

  • Alzheimer's Society of BC
  • BC SUPPORT Unit Regional Centres
  • Clinical Trials BC
  • Fraser Health
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation
  • Interior Health
  • Island Health
  • Northern Health
  • Patient Voices Network
  • Research Ethics BC
  • University of Northern BC
  • University of Victoria
  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute


History of REACH BC

Launched in May 2020, REACH BC addresses a significant challenge for many clinical trials and health research projects in British Columbia: namely, patient and participant recruitment. REACH BC was developed with joint input from health authorities and university partners and members of the community. Originally a multi-partner demonstration project of the BC SUPPORT Unit, the development of REACH BC was funded and supported by the BC Academic Health Science Network, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine Digital Solutions, University of British Columbia Advanced Research Computing, and Population Data BC. We acknowledge and appreciate the leadership and guidance we have received from Dr. Robert McMaster, the previous REACH BC Executive Director. In 2021, REACH BC moved under the governance of the BC Academic Health Science Network, which later became the consolidated organization, Michael Smith Health Research BC.

Acknowledgments and guiding principles

As a provincial organization, our work extends across many Indigenous lands and territories throughout British Columbia. We acknowledge with respect and humility that our Vancouver offices are located on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.Discover how our organization is dedicated to upholding indigenous cultural safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion by visiting Michael Smith Health Research BC

Privacy and security

REACH BC will not release any of your personal information to third parties, participating organizations, and/or other institutions. Your information will only be available to the researcher(s) after you indicate interest in being contacted about a particular study.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us or view our Privacy Statement and Terms of Use.

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