The Catalyst for Change Award – Diabetes Action Canada

Meet our 2024 Catalyst for Change Award Winners:

Kate Farnsworth

Ryan Hooey

Matt Larsen

Purpose & Scope

The Catalyst for Change Award is specifically crafted to honour patient partners within Diabetes Action Canada who have made exceptional contributions to advancing Patient-Oriented diabetes research and care to make a real difference. It’s not about how many projects one has been a part of or how long one has been involved; it’s about recognizing the deep and meaningful impact these patient partners have made. By focusing on innovative contributions and meaningful involvement, this award spotlights individuals who have made research more relevant, beneficial, and inclusive for the diabetes community.

Eligibility

Nominations are open to all members of Diabetes Action Canada—researchers, staff, and patient partners. Importantly, patient partners are encouraged to self-nominate, ensuring everyone who has made a noteworthy contribution has the opportunity to be recognized.

Examples of Contributions to Patient-Oriented Diabetes Research

This award seeks to recognize the wide array of contributions made by patient partners in advancing patient-oriented diabetes research. Below are illustrative examples of the impactful work that aligns with the spirit of The Catalyst for Change Award:

Co-Designing Research Projects

Patient partners who have actively collaborated with researchers to co-design research projects, ensuring that studies address the real needs and concerns of those affected by diabetes. This could include defining research questions, developing methodologies, or interpreting research findings.

Participation in Research Advisory Committees

Contributions as members of research advisory committees, where patient partners provide invaluable perspectives that help guide research priorities, ethical considerations, and patient engagement strategies to ensure research activities are aligned with the patient community’s needs.

Leadership in Network Initiatives

Leadership roles taken by patient partners in initiating, planning, and executing projects or programs within the network that aim to improve diabetes care, education, or patient engagement. This includes efforts that foster collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and patients.

Enhancing Research Relevance and Accessibility

Efforts to make research findings more accessible and relevant to the diabetes community, such as contributing to the dissemination of results in lay language, participating in public forums, or developing patient-friendly educational materials.

Facilitating Knowledge Exchange

Organizing or contributing to events, workshops, or meetings that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among patients, researchers, and healthcare professionals, thereby enhancing the community’s overall understanding and management of diabetes.

These examples are indicative of the depth and variety of ways patient partners contribute to the diabetes research and care ecosystem. Nominators are encouraged to highlight the nominee’s specific achievements and the impact of their work on the diabetes community.

What Awardees Receive

In 2024, the Catalyst for Change Awardees were honoured with a certificate and an invitation, with expenses paid, to attend the DAC workshop on May 30-31, 2024. At this workshop, Awardees participated in a panel discussion, sharing their experiences, insights, and the impactful work that led to their recognition. This moderated session offered a unique platform to showcase their contributions to a wider audience, including health policy decision-makers and the broader community.

Nominations are now closed.