CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
CityStudio to leverage Confederation College student research

Students from Confederation College's post-graduate Health Informatics program showcased their capstone research projects today, sharing health indicator findings that will inform the City of Thunder Bay's next Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

The Health Informatics students collected data on health indicators related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) and, in small groups, validated and updated that data from a 2022 Thunder Bay Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the SDGs.

"The collaboration of these CityStudio projects with Confederation College engages students to look at 'real issues' with the results then being applied to municipal planning," said Karen Kerk, CityStudio Coordinator, Thunder Bay.

"The innovative and analytical skills of our students in this project are outstanding," said Christina Foresto, Health Informatics Professor & Program Coordinator. "This project was a great way to exercise their research skills and ability to present complex data in a simple and visually appealing way. All data tells a story, and to have students apply what they have learned to uncover these stories is a rewarding experience for everyone."

At the event, students networked and fielded questions from students, faculty, and invited representatives from the City of Thunder Bay and community partners.

"The greatest value was that it was an intensive learning process in which we worked on actual data and were able to appreciate how our work may go further and be applied to help the community. We learn these skills throughout the program, so to apply them to a real project is very rewarding," said Roslin Rejee, Health Informatics student.

"These projects provide great networking opportunities for students and can even help local employers in their own hiring processes," said Robyn Gillespie, Manager, Applied Research, Confederation College. "Seeing what students are capable of in this program, and how those skills could be employed in the health care sector is a win-win as we grow the next generation of civic leaders."