As the Bloorview Research Institute’s (BRI) new implementation scientist, Dr. Sarah Munce’s top priority will be to build an implementation science program that forges strong links between research and clinical teams to bring research findings into care, policy and practice at the local, national and international levels.

Dr. Munce’s expertise and knowledge in implementation science, mixed methods and co-design will also contribute to the development of a learning health system across Holland Bloorview where internal data, research and experiential knowledge are merged to inform decision making and clinical care – one of the hospital’s key pillars in its strategic plan, Transformative Care, Inclusive World: Holland Bloorview 2030.

“I am extremely delighted to have Sarah join the BRI and Holland Bloorview team,” says Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research and director of the BRI. “Her expertise in implementation science and integrated knowledge mobilization approaches coupled with her well-established research in youth with complex needs and their families aligns perfectly with the work we do at the BRI to enable personalized versions of a good life for all.”

Dr. Munce currently leads the LIFEspan Service program as a health service and implementation scientist at University Health Network’s KITE, where her program focuses on developing, implementing and evaluating transitional care interventions for youth with complex needs and their family members. She also holds appointments as an assistant professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation with a cross appointment at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI) at the University of Toronto. In addition, Dr. Munce serves as the EDI and student wellness graduate coordinator at the RSI.

“Dr. Sarah Munce is an outstanding scientist and the KITE Research Institute has benefited tremendously from her leadership, specifically in the area of early career mentorship,” says Dr. Milos Popovic, director, KITE Institute.

“Dr. Munce helped spearhead an entirely new approach to transitional care that has assisted countless children with disabilities and their parents by making it easier to navigate the difficult transition to adult independent living. I am thrilled that she will continue to promote important community integration initiatives in her new role as implementation scientist with the Bloorview Research Institute.”

“As BRI’s new implementation scientist, I’m really excited about contributing my expertise in implementation science to promote the widespread uptake of research findings that our amazing scientists produce,” says Dr. Munce. “I often partner with youth and family members to co-create the research that we produce so I believe in partnering with youth and family members, this creates meaningful, effective, sustainable and relevant outputs and interventions.”

Dr. Munce’s new appointment will begin on July 2.