Our Story
We connect people, systems and science to improve health outcomes for Manitobans.
Too often, health research, health care delivery, and system decision-making operate in silos. We bring them together so that evidence informs care, care informs research, and learning happens every step of the way.
Our Goals
01
Lead and support health research and priority health system initiatives
We manage hundreds of intake requests each year to solve real world challenges, like addressing the barriers between research and care, putting under-used data into action, and managing clinical trials around the world. We’re always looking for new projects that have the potential to fill gaps in knowledge and care or address provincial and Indigenous health priorities.
02
Enhance the capacity for generating and using knowledge and evidence
We support clinicians, researchers, health system leaders, trainees and members of the public in their pursuit of lifelong learning. We are growing Manitoba’s capacity to collaborate and shine as a health research powerhouse while also expanding Indigenous leadership in health research and evaluation.
03
Increase the inclusion of patient and community voices in health research and the Manitoba health system
Too often, medicine focuses on treating the disease, measuring clinical outcomes, and maximizing efficiency. Meanwhile, patient engagement is often treated as an add-on. We support research that meaningfully involves people with lived experience and leverages their invaluable insights.
04
Support and promote the continued development of a learning health system in Manitoba
Every policy change, service redesign, and clinical improvement should be guided by real-time learning. We are leading the development of a provincial learning health system that brings together data, evidence, system assets, and frontline experience to use existing resources more efficiently and act on evidence when it matters.
Our Team
The Centre for Healthcare Innovation is a multidisciplinary team embedded across research and the health system to support trials, evaluation, engagement, data, and system improvement.
Our Funders and Partners
Our ability to connect health research and the health system are made possible by our partners’ ongoing support.
Initial Funding
Dr. George Yee & Fay Yee
The George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation was launched on November 18, 2008 with a $2.5 million gift from Dr. George Yee and his wife Fay Yee.
Ongoing Support
Shared Health
Shared Health brings together clinical experts from across the province to deliver a patient-centred, accessible, responsive health system. CHI supports Shared Health on initiatives from decision making to engagement to program evaluation.
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is an international leader in health education, training, research and practice. CHI is physically located within the University, and supports health researchers and trainees at all stages of research.
Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR)
CHI has served as Manitoba’s SPOR SUPPORT Unit since 2013. CHI works collaboratively with SPOR-funded entities across Canada to advance the interests of patient-oriented research.
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
The Government of Manitoba provides strategic direction and leadership to the provincial health system, striving to ensure it provides the right care, in the right place, at the right time. CHI actively seeks out initiatives that align with provincial health priorities.
Our Collaborative Partnership
Learn about the diverse group of patients, caregivers, and advocates for patient engagement that make up our collaborative partnership.
Learn moreOur Impact
We’ve inspired measurable, transformative and permanent change in the provincial health system across research, evaluation, and health care delivery. Sometimes at the systems level, collaborating with government and connecting organizations. Other times, we serve as a springboard for budding stars in health research or as an incubator for ideas that transform into large research programs.
Preparing for Research by Engaging Public and Patient Partners (PREPPP) Award
Over 8x return
on investment
based on our first $100k invested in the PREPPP award program (spanning 44 projects), where supported projects went on to attract over $800k of additional funding into our provincial research environment.
A diverse team with extensive experience serving health innovators like you
50+ CHI experts
available to serve you, not to mention a vast network of allies throughout the health system
Over the last five years, we have supported eight projects led by rising stars in health research
$250k in
trainee awards
through CHI’s Patient-Oriented Research (POR) training award
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions we hear.
Have more questions?
Our team is comprised of 50+ specialists and support staff. Plus, numerous trainees support work at CHI throughout the year.
Truth is, we don’t really have a set list—we try not to define ourselves by what we don’t do. We are constantly evolving to meet the needs of Manitoba’s health innovators. We have five service areas: Data management + analytics, patient and community engagement, knowledge mobilization, clinical research, and evaluation and health system support.
If your project falls within those service areas, we’d love to hear from you. Even if we can’t help, we’ll do our best to connect you with someone who can.
Ideally, we like when researchers connect with us before or during the grant writing stage. That way, we can tailor solutions to their specific needs. Having said that, we are often asked to parachute into projects as the need for our services arise.
Our focus is on providing services, not funding (with one exception). Once a year, we offer a seed funding opportunity to help researchers engage patients and communities as partners in the priority setting and planning stages of health research. The PREPPP (Preparing for Research by Engaging Public and Patient Partners) award was developed in response to a gap we saw in health research funding.
In partnership with Research Manitoba, we offer the annual CHI Patient-Oriented Research Training Award to support capacity development of the next generation of health research leaders, highly qualified health scientists, and health services professionals.
Initial consults (up to two hours) are always free. After that, it really depends on the nature of your project and the scope of our involvement.
Through our consultation process, we gain a better understanding of your project and where we can add value. Ultimately, what we learn in the consult will help us develop a no-obligation customized quote to address your specific needs.
Yes! Aurora Clinical Research is a distinct entity housed within CHI and the University of Manitoba. You can find them here.
If you’re looking to start a project, please complete our intake form.
If you have a general inquiry, please email us at info@chimb.ca or call our front desk at 204-594-5391.
If you simply want to be kept up to date on our latest events, resources and news, subscribe to our e-newsletter.
We are currently seeking an Indigenous Health Research Navigator to join our team. This posting closes on April 23, 2026. To learn more and apply for this opportunity, please visit the University of Manitoba’s careers page.
Our Values
Science and evidence inform our work. Our values guide how we work with you and within our community.
Collaboration
We bring people together, build supportive teams, and work alongside partners to achieve shared goals.
Excellence
We are accountable, use evidence to guide us, and act with purpose to create better solutions.
Equity
We listen with care, hold space for all, and meet people where they are at.
Respect
We take good care of each other and the work we do.
Curiosity
We explore openly, ask questions, and turn challenges into opportunities to learn and adapt.