St. Francis Xavier University is pleased to announce Dr. Kara Thompson as the inaugural Director of the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health at StFX for a three-year term.
Dr. Thompson is widely recognized nationally and provincially for her research contributions on alcohol policy and substance use in young adulthood. She holds a position as an associate professor in the Psychology Department and was recently appointed as the Research Chair in Substance Use Policy & Prevention within the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health and the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, both at StFX.
Dr. Thompson holds a PhD in lifespan development psychology from the University of Victoria. As a researcher, she has received over $4.5 million in funding as a principle or co-applicant for various research projects, and she has 75 peer-reviewed publications. At StFX, she was awarded the 2021 President’s Research Award and she holds the 2023-2025 Jules Léger Scholar in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health will work to create multi-disciplinary, inter-professional and community focused approaches to health and wellness in Nova Scotia, especially in initiatives related to smaller and rural communities.
“I feel incredibly honoured and excited to be offered the role of Director at the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health at StFX,” said Dr. Thompson. “I am eager to embrace the challenges and responsibilities that come with this role, and I look forward to working alongside talented faculty, community organizations, and students to bring our shared vision to life.”
“We are delighted to have Dr. Kara Thompson as our inaugural Director of the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health at StFX,” said Dr. Amanda Cockshutt, Academic Vice-President and Provost. “Dr. Thompson’s primary responsibility will be to establish the foundational structure, mission, and operational framework of the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health. Dr. Thompson is a national leader in health research and her enthusiasm for collaboration and developing policy make her ideal for this very important role.”
In the upcoming year, Dr. Thompson will prioritize collaboration with health-oriented faculty members across the university, as well as with community organizations. “Together, we will develop a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines our goals, priorities, and initiatives. This plan will serve as a roadmap for the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health, guiding the development of our academic and research activities,” said Dr. Thompson.
As a key hub within central Nova Scotia for health research and innovation, the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health will provide a space in which researchers, patients, community groups, and partners exchange ideas, discover, develop, test, and commercialize new knowledge, technology, products, systems, and solutions that improve health, healthcare, and people’s lives.
Dr. Thompson is a recognized expert in health policy in Canada and collaborates regularly with stakeholders from across postsecondary institutions, governments, health authorities, and NGO’s in Nova Scotia and nationally. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition and is a member of the Atlantic Alcohol Policy Network. Dr. Thompson is also a collaborating scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and was a scientific expert for the development of Canada’s new guidance on alcohol and health by the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction. Through these connections, Dr. Thompson is excited by the immense potential this new role will bring for strengthening partnerships that leverage collective expertise and resources to tackle pressing health challenges in Nova Scotia. She is confident that the work of the Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health will help meet current health challenges and set new standards for health innovation in Nova Scotia and beyond.
