Research at Unity Health Toronto
At a Glance
Unity Health Toronto is a Catholic healthcare network comprised of St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare, serving patients, residents and communities across the full spectrum of care while investing in impactful world-class research and education.
The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science (KRCBS) and the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (LKSKI) form the backbone of Research at Unity Health Toronto. Our full affiliation with the University of Toronto, Canada's largest research entity, underscores our commitment to research excellence.
The Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (LKSKI) runs clinical trials and specializes in research on health services and policy, population health, global health and knowledge translation. LKSKI focuses on conducting research and disseminating knowledge that significantly impacts our healthcare system and benefits our patients and communities.
The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science (KRCBS) focuses on basic science and translational research. Researchers at KRCBS aim to address common and high-burden illnesses, and strive to make discoveries that enhance patient care and improve lives.
KRCBS and LKSKI are located at St. Michael’s Hospital, known as Toronto’s Urban Angel for its culture, community and long history of providing compassionate care to underserved populations.
At Unity Health Toronto, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that embraces anti-racism, equity and diversity. Our team of researchers, clinicians, trainees, and staff reflects this commitment, ensuring diverse perspectives and experiences inform our work. We prioritize responsible research practices, upholding the highest ethical standards, and actively promoting and engaging patients and communities in our research processes. By doing so, we aim to ensure that our research is relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs and values of the communities we serve.
Purpose
World-class research and innovation that transform patient care and population wellbeing.
Research Ecosystem
Our success is driven by a multi-faceted research ecosystem that boasts extensive research infrastructure and deep methodological expertise across various scientific domains, spanning the LKSKI and KRCBS. Our ecosystem supports:
Discovery science, where we investigate the root causes of disease
Translational research, where we test and pilot innovative solutions
Clinical research, where we examine the effectiveness of interventions in improving patient outcomes
Health services and policy research, where we unpack and optimize healthcare access and delivery at the system level
Knowledge translation, where we synthesize evidence and guide practice and policy change
Pillars of Research Excellence
We have built on our areas of historic strength and leveraged our unique clinical and research integration to establish four pillars of research excellence:
Critical Care
Urban and Community Health
Organ Injury and Repair
Brain Health and Wellness
