Lynne Feehan’s bio

Lynne Feehan, is a researcher and the Knowledge Translation lead at the BC SUPPORT Unit, whose passion is supporting patient-partners and health researchers to learn how to collaborate and do meaningful partner engagement across health research activities.  She is also a physiotherapist and clinical associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UBC with many years working in the health system.  Her lived experience as a researcher and clinician have helped Lynne learn how to navigate the opportunities and challenges when conducting, or using findings from, health research in health care and service delivery settings.

Shelby Gielen’s bio

Shelby Gielen is originally from a small town in the BC Kootenays, received her first liver transplant at the age of 14, and her second liver transplant at the age of 27. Throughout her youth and adult life Shelby has been heavily involved in the transplant community as a mentor and volunteer and has been a two-time participant and multiple medal winner in the Canadian Transplant Games. For the past two years Shelby has been active as a Patient Partner with the Transplant Research Foundation of BC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, with a keen understanding of the importance research plays in the success of future transplant journeys.

Earl Howell’s bio

Earl Howell is the “The retired guy” and a liver transplant recipient of twenty-four years. My liver transplant was due to primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disease I was diagnosed with at 35 years old.  

 

 

Kristi Coldwell’s bio

Kristi Coldwell is the Senior Advisor for Transplant Research Advocacy at the Transplant Research Foundation of BC. Having undergone a heart transplant as a teenager due to congenital heart disease, Kristi is acutely aware of the role research plays in improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life. She believes Patient and Family Partners have an important role in shaping and informing research to ensure it is meaningful and accountable to all stakeholders.  She also serves as the co-chair for the Patient Advocate Advisory Committee of the Organ Donation and Transplant (ODT) Collaborative, a Health Canada initiative that brings together key stakeholders in Canada’s ODT system.