Gina, a practicing family doctor with a PhD in epidemiology, said: “My programme of research through this chair bridges the gap between primary care, population health, epidemiology and research, with the focus always being impactful for marginalized and vulnerable populations.”

She is the director of a research lab developing novel solutions for improving health care in collaboration with stakeholders to provide for unmet needs for vulnerable populations in primary care.

“Vulnerable populations are defined as individuals at high risk of poor health because of physical, psycho-social and economic barriers,” explains Gina. “My research expands on other primary care findings which show that when people have access to a family doctor or other primary care clinician, they can address a health concern before it leads to a trip to a hospital. By focusing on prevention, people can stay healthy and save health-care dollars.”

Gina and her team have developed an innovative way of providing community-based primary care through the Community Paramedicine at Clinic.  She explains: “By connecting older adults living in social housing with health screening, education and referrals to health and community services, we’ve been able to improve their health and save health care spending through fewer calls to 911.”

She adds: “I feel honoured that my decades of work have come to fruition as a prestigious Canada Research Chair, that recognizes my passion for the research that I do, and my intent to continue to do something meaningful for the populations that matter the most to me.”