This past May, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experts from across Quebec gathered in Montreal for the first annual Quebec IBD Research Conference.
Held at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Research Centre, the event brought together researchers, clinicians, patients and key stakeholders—including Crohn’s and Colitis Canada—to showcase research and clinical findings, collaborate, and network amongst some of the leading minds in the field.
The conference also underscored the collective effort that researchers, patients, and organizations can take to improve the quality of life for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in Canada.
A unique opportunity to strengthen IBD research in Quebec
Quebec not only has some of the highest rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world but is also home to globally recognized researchers and institutions dedicated to understanding and treating these diseases.
Organizers saw this combination as an ideal opportunity to convene experts locally.
Dr. John Rioux, one of the conference organizers, emphasized the importance of strengthening provincial ties. Until now, most IBD researchers in Quebec have had limited opportunities to meet and collaborate within the province, often relying on international conferences to connect.
The conference created space to “build relationships between labs, between centres, between cities—to bring researchers together to improve collaboration”, he said.
It also offered senior researchers the chance to engage with scientists entering the field.
Involving early-career professionals helps foster “the connections that make a difference in developing their careers”. These connections, in turn, will contribute to the advancement of IBD research going forward, noted Rioux.
Highlighting the collective impact of the IBD community
Another key objective for organizers was to highlight the role Crohn’s and Colitis Canada plays in advancing quality of life of people affected by IBD.
Dr. Kate Lee, Vice President of Research and Patient Programs at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, was invited to speak on the topic.
Her presentation, Beyond Grants-in-Aid, emphasized the role researchers can play beyond applying for research funding—in particular, by supporting the organization’s patient and caregiver programs, and strengthening its impact as a platform for patient voices and advocacy.
Emphasizing the potential for greater and accelerated impact through collective efforts was a key priority for Lee.
Many in the research community are familiar with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s Grants-in-Aid competition, which funds research projects. But they’re generally unaware of the organization’s patient and caregiver-focused programs, including Gutsy Learning Series (GLS) and Crohn’s and Colitis Connect.
Bridging that gap not only increases awareness of these resources but also enhances the quality of IBD research itself.
Conference organizer Dr. Robert Battat notes, “Researchers can have an idea of what they feel is important [to study], but patient voices are needed to help highlight what’s important for patient needs. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is uniquely positioned to put what we do in context... they help to identify the gaps that exist.”
Key takeaways from the Quebec IBD Research Conference
The conference highlighted the power of collective impact. It brought together researchers, clinicians, patients, and key stakeholders, including Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, to drive meaningful change for those living with Crohn’s and colitis.