At Sinai Health’s Science of Care Institute (SCI), discovery begins with a simple but powerful question: How can care be better? Thanks in large part to donor support, including the visionary generosity of Jay and Barbara Hennick, that question is driving research and innovations that are improving care for patients and families today—and shaping the future of health care.
At the helm of this work is Dr. Lianne Jeffs, SCI’s Chief Scientific Officer and a globally recognized nurse and leader in health systems research. Dr. Jeffs leads a solution-focused research program aimed at addressing critical gaps in care delivery, from strengthening workforce resilience to embedding compassionate care practices across health-care systems. Her international leadership initiatives are helping redefine care delivery models, ensuring they remain responsive, equitable and deeply human.
“At SCI, we believe that advancing compassionate, person-centred care requires more than just good intentions.
It requires purposeful thought, rigorous research and collaboration across disciplines—and a deep commitment to implementation and ongoing evaluation.”
A key focus of SCI’s work is improving care for older adults. In 2024, SCI celebrated a significant milestone with the appointment of Dr. Marianne Saragosa as an embedded nurse scientist; this year, Dr. Saragosa was appointed as an inaugural translational research scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. Her research focuses on caring for older adults, including people living with dementia, and integrated care and aging in place. This work reflects SCI’s commitment to healthy aging—one of the most urgent priorities in health care today.
SCI’s impact extends beyond Canada through initiatives such as the Israel-Canada Nurse Leader Fellowship, made possible through the support of the Azrieli Foundation and Sinai Health’s Centre for Nursing Excellence (CNE). This unique program brings Israeli nurse leaders to Sinai Health for immersive training in research and innovation. Fellows Ravit Edelman and Shaden Rizek have been gaining hands-on experience in developing and implementing research projects poised to improve patient care both at Sinai Health and within their home health-care organizations.
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An expo: from surgical innovation to improving patient and family support
How compassion can intertwine with scientific discovery was on full display at SCI’s Research and Innovation Expo in September 2025, when nurses, clinicians and non-clinical staff presented projects centred on transforming care, including several supported by SCI. Taking centre stage was an initiative at the first site in Ontario to use open-source software and 3D printing to create low-cost, patient-specific surgical guides. The approach improves precision and access to care in oral-maxillofacial surgery while also enhancing surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Another project explored how virtual reality can help surgeons plan complex procedures, improving both preparation and patient outcomes.
“Our commitment to investing in and growing our academic and clinical leadership is strengthening the synergies between science, knowledge mobilization, teaching and clinical practice. The result is a collective positive impact on patients and care partners and our health-care workforce locally and globally.”
Nurse-led innovation projects from the CNE are also helping to strengthen patient and family experiences. At the Newton Glassman Charitable Foundation Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a family memory board initiative is helping parents remain connected to their babies during emotionally challenging hospital stays, fostering comfort and connection at critical moments. And at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, another team explored how to improve therapeutic relationships with complex care patients and family members.
Another CNE accomplishment this year is helping to reduce hospital-acquired infections, a significant burden on patients and systems. Presenting recently at both national and international conferences, the team reported their findings on environmental cleaning practices using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing to measure cleanliness and reduce infection risk. This work complements broader quality improvement efforts across Sinai Health, helping to ensure safer care environments.
The impact of SCI extends far beyond individual projects. By embedding research within everyday care, SCI is creating a culture where continuous improvement is part of how care is delivered. Nurses and non-clinical staff across health disciplines are empowered to ask questions, test solutions, implement changes and measure the impact and benefits to patients and families and the health-care workforce.
