About US
Welcome to CanStroke Recovery Trials
The world’s first clinical trial platform devoted exclusively to advancing stroke recovery. CanStroke provides a robust, national infrastructure designed to accelerate and streamline stroke recovery trials across Canada, serving as a launchpad to test and assess new therapies, interventions, and devices.
Our platform unites research experts from diverse fields, including physiatry, neurology, neuropsychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical epidemiology, and neuroscience. Together, we lead large-scale, multi-site trials that drive discovery and improve stroke recovery care.
Harmonized training programs for coordinators and therapists,
Standardized outcome measures,
Streamlined data collection and management protocols, and
Communication mechanisms to share best practices and insights.
HISTORY
In 2016, CanStroke Recovery Trials Platform started with a grant from Brain Canada with matched funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery (CPSR). Member institutions included Sunnybrook, Baycrest, University Health Network, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of British Columbia, and the University of Calgary.
In 2023, the Platform was extended with a 3-year grant through Brain Canada with matching contributions from CPSR, University of Calgary, and Sunnybrook Research Institute.
We address the unique challenges of stroke recovery trials
participant recruitment at different stages of recovery
Whether a trial requires participants days or years post-stroke, our network supports multiple studies at various stages, providing access to a broader pool of candidates over time and significantly enhancing recruitment efficiency.
National & International Collaboration
CanStroke brings together a pan-Canadian network of clinical sites, researchers, and rehabilitation professionals. This attracts research teams worldwide who are seeking a collaborative and expertly managed network for stroke recovery research.
Standardized Data collection & Harmonized protocols
CanStroke trials utilize standardized assessments and outcome measures as well as streamlined data collection and management protocols.
Who We Are
CanStroke Executive Committee
Sean Dukelow
University of Calgary
As CanStroke Principal Investigator and Chair, Dr. Sean Dukelow, MD, PhD, leads a team of the top…full bio
Janice Eng
University of British Columbia
Dr. Janice Eng is Canada Research Chair in Neurological Rehabilitation, Killam Professor in the University of…full bio
Mark Bayley
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Dr. Mark Bayley, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, is Program Medical Director and Physiatrist-in-Chief at…full bio
Farrell Leibovitch
Platform Director
Farrell Leibovitch is the Platform Director for CanStroke. Prior to taking on this role, he worked at theHSF Canadian partnership…full bio
CanStroke Management Team
Farrell Leibovitch
Platform Director
Holly Vogel
Platform Coordinator
Karen Truong
Training & Events Manager
Olga Yaroslavtseva
central Trial Coordinator
Steering Committee
Led by Chair Dr. Sean Dukelow, University of Calgary, the steering committee will provide broad oversight and leadership for the CanStroke Recovery Trials Platform.
Steering Committee members include:
- Chair – Dr. Sean Dukelow, University of Calgary/ Hotchkiss Brain Institute
- Site Leader Representatives – Representatives from participating sites
- Trainee Representative from the Canadian Stroke Trainee Association
- Equity Diversity & Inclusion Advisor
- Pre-Clinical Advisor – Dr. Numa Dancause, Université de Montreal
- External Trial Advisor – Dr. Alexander Thiel, McGill University
- People With Lived Experience of stroke
Site Leader Representatives
Established sites
Dr. Mark Bayley, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
Dr. Sandra Black, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
Dr. Sean Dukelow, University of Calgary/Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
Dr. Janice Eng, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dr. Bradley MacIntosh, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
Dr. Marilyn Mackay-Lyons, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Dr. Michelle Ploughman, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Dr. Courtney Pollock, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dr. Sepideh Pooyania, Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Dr. Brodie Sakakibara, UBC-Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Dr. Ada Tang, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Dr. Robert Teasell, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Expansion sites
Dr. Nathanial Heinrichs, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
Dr. Trish Helm-Neima, Island Health Integrated Services, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
Dr. Catherine Mercier, CIUSS de la Capitale-Nationale, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Dr. Benjamin Ritsma, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada
Dr. Stephen Scott, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
Dr. Nathania Liem, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor, ON, Canada
Dr. Jennifer Voth, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor, ON, Canada
Dr. Aleksander Tkach, Kelowna General Hospital, BC, Canada
