On March 12, Trinity Western University gathered students, faculty, researchers, and guests in DeVries Auditorium for Equitable people-centred health: Improving health care for all, an evening celebrating a major research milestone for the University. Hosted by the Office of Research, Creative and Scholarly Activity, the event marked the awarding of a prestigious Tier 1 Canada Research Chair to Dr. Richard (Rick) Sawatzky in the School of Nursing (SON).
The evening highlighted TWU’s growing research culture and its commitment to scholarship that serves both academic excellence and the common good. With opening prayer and a territorial welcome from SON PhD student Kathleen Lounsbury, the program set a reflective tone that underscored the relational and community-focused nature of the research being celebrated.
A milestone for TWU & the School of Nursing
In his opening remarks, Associate Provost, Research and Graduate Studies Richard Chandra emphasized the significance of the appointment, noting that Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs are internationally recognized leaders whose work has made a major impact in their fields. He later reflected on what the moment represents for TWU as a whole.
“Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs have established themselves as world leaders outstanding in their fields in both research and training,” Chandra said. “To receive such a Chair at TWU is a powerful affirmation of Dr. Rick Sawatzky’s outstanding contributions and also of the vibrancy of our growing research culture.”
Dr. Sawatzky’s Chair supports a wide-ranging program of research and training focused on equitable people-centred health measurement. His work brings together patients, health-care providers, and researchers to advance meaningful and unbiased ways of measuring health, health-care experiences, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Dean of the School of Nursing Dr. Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham joined in welcoming attendees and affirming the significance of the Chair for nursing scholarship and graduate education. The formal presentation of the Canada Research Chairs certificate by President Todd F. Martin served as a visible marker of national recognition and institutional pride.
Advancing equitable people-centred health measurement
In his introductory presentation, Dr. Sawatzky outlined the vision and scope of his research program, sharing how equitable people-centred health measurement challenges traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches to assessing health outcomes. Grounded in his clinical background in palliative care, his work attends carefully to lived experience, particularly for people navigating chronic conditions and for family caregivers.
Sawatzky’s program spans quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research and includes projects that integrate people-centred measurement into digital health record systems. By emphasizing equity and the people‑centred approach, the research aims to ensure that health care systems better reflect and respond to the needs of diverse communities.
The evening also featured a series of short presentations from globally recognized scholars and emerging researchers, including Dr. Jae‑Yung Kwon of the University of Victoria and Dr. Kara Schick‑Makaroff of the University of Alberta. TWU PhD student Kathleen Lounsbury and postdoctoral fellows Ayumi Sasaki and Ava Mehdipour shared perspectives that highlighted the collaborative and intergenerational nature of the research community being fostered through the Chair. International insight was offered by Dr. Joakim Öhlen, professor and former centre director at the University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care.
Research, training & community
A dedicated segment of the program introduced School of Nursing student posters, underscoring the Chair’s role in mentoring graduate students and strengthening research training at TWU. For many in attendance, particularly those in the School of Graduate Studies and the School of Nursing, the evening offered a tangible example of how rigorous research, teaching, and faith-informed inquiry intersect in practice.
As the event concluded with remarks and prayer from Provost Susan Wendel, attendees were reminded that the impact of this work extends beyond the academy. With partnerships, innovation, a people‑centred focus, and through a Christ‑centred lens, TWU continues to contribute to the flourishing of individuals and communities through research.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. TWU has its main campus in Langley, B.C. and campus sites in Richmond, B.C. and Ottawa, Ont.
Learn more at twu.ca or follow @TrinityWestern on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact media@twu.ca.