About Us

REACH BC is an initiative of Michael Smith Health Research BC, British Columbia's health research agency. 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.

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.

REACH BC Director, Alison Orth

REACH BC Program Manager, Aisling Quigley

REACH BC Platform Administrator, Aine Wilcox

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

The REACH BC Advisory Committee is a collaborative group providing expert advice, guidance, and tactical recommendations, to support decision-making, achievement of goals and objectives, and improvement of the use and operations of the REACH BC platform.

Shelley Abercromby, Clinical Research Coordinator, VGH Lung Centre Lin Chen, Patient Partner Patient Voices Network Member, Vancouver, BC Gurm Dhugga, Associate Director, Research & Digital Technology - UBC Faculty of Medicine, Digital Solutions Leana Garraway, Manager, Health Research Institute/Co-Lead BC SUPPORT Unit Northern Centre - University of Northern BC (UNBC) Laura Harvey, Manager, Patient & Partnership Engagement, BC SUPPORT Nicole Prestley, Research + Knowledge Translation, Women's Health Research Institute Prachi Khanna, Patient Partner, Patient Voice Network Committee Member Robert McMaster, Chair, Vice Dean of Research - UBC Faculty of Medicine Tara McMillan, Manager, Patient and Public Research Engagement/Regional Centre Lead - Island Health/ BC SUPPORT Unit Island Centre Larry Mroz, Patient-Oriented Research Services Lead, BC SUPPORT Unit Brittney Schichter, Research Navigator - Simon Fraser University, BC SUPPORT Unit Fraser Centre Michelle Storms, Director, Clinical Trials Unit, VCHRI Linda Warner, Patient and Family Engagement Advisor, BC Children’s Knowledge Centre

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

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.

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

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.