Dial-Bicarb Lead Investigator

Amber Molnar, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Molnar is a nephrologist at St Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton. She holds an appointment as Associate Professor with the Department of Medicine Division of Nephrology at McMaster University, with a cross appointment with the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Scientist with ICES, where she uses large, provincial healthcare databases to focus primarily on improving outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease and on hemodialysis.

Dial-Bicarb Lead Investigator

Samuel Silver, MD, MSc, FASN, FRCPC

Dr. Silver is an Associate Professor in the Division of Nephrology at Queen’s University. Furthermore, he has received salary support through the Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training (KRESCENT) program, as well as funding from CIHR, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and Ontario Renal Network. The objective of his research program is to use administrative data and systematic reviews to inform the design of quality improvement interventions that may improve patient outcomes. Dr. Silver also serves as an Adjunct Scientist with ICES.

Dial-Bicarb Research Coordinator

Alaa Badawi

Alaa Badawi is a Research Coordinator at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), working with Dr. Amit Garg’s Pragmatic Trials Team on research aimed at improving patient care. With a strong background in clinical trial management, including both pragmatic research and medical device trials, Alaa plays a key role in the implementation and oversight of trial protocols across study centres. Alaa is committed to advancing patient outcomes through the management of innovative clinical trials and is passionate about supporting research that drives improvements in healthcare practices.

Dial-Bicarb Research Coordinator

Samar Almadhoun

Samar Almadhoun is a dedicated Research Coordinator at London Health Sciences Center (LHSC), working with Dr. Amit Garg and his team in pragmatic trials, which aim at improving healthcare settings and patient care outcomes. With strong background in clinical trials management, Samar helps the pragmatic trials team in protocol development and ethics submission; as well as, ensures effective communication between researchers. Looking forward, Samar aims to contribute to the development of innovative trial methodologies and expand the impact of pragmatic trials in shaping future healthcare practices and policies to improve patient outcomes on a larger scale.

Dial-Bicarb Patient Partner

Brenden Cote

Dial-Bicarb Patient Partner

Susan Q. McKenzie, MA

Susan is a kidney patient, kidney transplant recipient, and mother of two kidney patients. A rare genetic form of kidney disease (MUC1) has affected her family for generations.

Her experiences with kidney disease and passion to help other patients led her to co-create the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP) which connects kidney patients and kidney donors with other patients and donors to provide information and support. Since 2017 TAP has logged close to 10,000 conversations with dialysis and pre-dialysis patients. Susan is also President of The Kidney Patient and Donor Alliance Canada, which together with TAP, has the first organized national network of over 2,000 kidney patients and donors that can be easily mobilized to support local and national research and advocacy initiatives such as www.Transplant1st.ca, a campaign which advocates for better access to kidney transplant.

Susan has personally participated in more than 15 research studies as a patient partner and contributing author, including the Can-SOLVE CKD and the Access to Kidney Transplant (AKT) Strategy in Ontario to increase living kidney donation. She holds a master’s degree in English and Communications from the University of Waterloo and runs a fundraising and communications consulting company. www.TransplantAmbassadors.ca www.KidneyAlliance.ca