The Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) has secured continued funding through March 31, 2028, following a successful application to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), with support from the governments of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and ResearchNB.
The funding extension ensures MSSU can continue supporting patient-oriented research across the Maritimes by connecting researchers, patients, communities and decision-makers to address health system priorities and improve health outcomes.
As part of the Phase 2 extension period, Dr. Ted McDonald has assumed the role of Nominated Principal Investigator and Dr. Amy Grant has been appointed Interim Executive Director. Together, they will provide scientific and operational leadership as MSSU continues to support research that reflects the priorities and experiences of people across the Maritimes.
“MSSU plays a critical role in connecting data, research, and lived experience to inform better decisions across our health systems,” said McDonald. “I look forward to building on this work and strengthening collaboration across the region in the years ahead.”
Background
McDonald has been involved with MSSU for many years as Principal Investigator in New Brunswick and Director of DataNB. He brings extensive expertise in population health research and the use of data to inform health system decision-making.
Grant has been with MSSU since 2018, beginning as Senior Health Policy Researcher and most recently serving as Director of Research in Nova Scotia. Through her work, she has developed a strong understanding of MSSU’s cross-provincial model and a deep commitment to patient-oriented research.
Since its establishment, MSSU has helped build research capacity across the region by providing expertise in areas such as patient engagement, data access, evidence synthesis, knowledge translation, implementation science and research methodology. Through these supports, MSSU helps ensure health research is informed by the priorities and experiences of people living in the Maritimes.