London Health Research Day 2024 highlights innovation and spotlights the future of AI in health care

Over 400 learners, faculty and researchers from across London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) and Western University gathered for London Health Research Day (LHRD) on May 7, 2024. 

LHRD is one of southwestern Ontario’s largest cross-disciplinary health research conferences, and is presented in partnership by Lawson Health Research Institute (the research institute of LHSC and St. Joseph’s) and Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Faculty of Health Sciences. It is an opportunity for students to share innovative research on a wide variety of health topics, practice science communication, network, and learn from an insightful keynote presentation and informative workshops.

“There is an amazing diversity of health research being conducted in London, Ontario right now, all represented at this event,” says Dr. David Hill, Interim Research Executive and Scientific Director for London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). “Looking at all these presentations, the future of health research is bright.”

More than 420 guests, 340 poster presenters, 50 volunteer judges and 24 symposia speakers registered to attend the event held at Western University. 

“An event like this, focused on health research by learners, provides an outstanding opportunity for our trainees to showcase their research and network with peers and leaders in the field,” says Susanne Schmid, Vice Dean of Basic Medical Sciences at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. “As one of the largest health research gatherings in our city, London Health Research Day not only highlights the amazing work being done at Western, LHSC and St. Joseph’s, but also underscores the powerful collaborations that drive our success.” 

Dr. Lisa Porter, Vice President, Research and Scientific Director at St. Joseph’s, was also on-hand to speak with presenters and learn more about ongoing research.

“I am so proud of the great research happening in London,” says Dr. Porter. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to explore the fabulous research and see what the future holds for health care.”

The event was preceded on May 6 with a public lecture by Dr. Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University, who addressed how artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the future of health research and the lives of Canadians. The potential of AI to address ongoing challenges in health care, was echoed by keynote speaker Dr. Laura Rosella, Canada Research Chair in Population Health Analytics at the University of Toronto.

The impact of technology on health research was already visible in many of the projects presented by learners, highlighting the rapid advancement of health research in London, Ontario.