Every five minutes, someone in Canada experiences a stroke.1 Approximately half of those who survive require assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing and walking.2
Rehabilitation is crucial in helping stroke patients regain their functional independence while reducing stroke’s debilitating effects. It’s the focus of Zackary Tsang’s research as the Warren Y. Soper Charitable Trust Fellow in Rehabilitation Medicine. He is the first — and currently only — donor-funded fellow at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
Zack’s research aims to address an essential part of the stroke rehabilitation process: patient goal setting. Research shows women often experience worse outcomes compared to men. He hopes that by identifying potential sex differences in stroke recovery goals, he can help refine programs to better support the differences in patients’ needs and improve quality of life for stroke survivors worldwide.
Drawn by its reputation for excellence in rehabilitation, he chose to conduct his research at Hennick Bridgepoint. It also holds a special place in his heart.
“During the pandemic, my grandmother — whom I call ‘Po-Po’ — was admitted to Hennick Bridgepoint for rehab,” says Zack. “She often shared how kind and compassionate the staff had been during her stay. Through my research, I aim to contribute to the stroke community’s understanding of patients’ recovery goals and improve rehab care for people like my Po-Po.”
Dr. Shannon MacDonald, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician at Hennick Bridgepoint, supervises Zack’s research. She can see the far-reaching and sometimes intangible effects of fellows like Zack.
“The value of donor-funded fellowships cannot be overstated,” says Dr. MacDonald. “This award not only supports the training of the next generation of exceptional researchers, such as Zack, but will also lead to research that can be translated into clinical practice and ultimately improve patient care.”
Zack is incredibly grateful for the donor funding that has made his work at Hennick Bridgepoint possible.
References
- Holodinsky, JK, et al. (2023). Estimating the number of hospital or emergency department presentations for stroke in Canada. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 50(6), 820–25. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2022.338.
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (2017). Stroke report. https://www.heartandstroke.ca/-/media/pdf-files/canada/stroke-report/strokereport2017en.ashx.