Kerry Kuluski

Kerry Kuluski graduated from Lakehead University with a Master of Social Work/Gerontology degree in 2004. She is presently a second year Ph.D. student in the department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (HPME), health policy stream in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Kerry is a recipient of a prestigious three-year doctoral research award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Aging.

Her doctoral research applies a British methodology, called the Balance of Care (BoC), to a Northern Ontario community (Thunder Bay) to assess and target the distribution of health and social care resources for seniors. Evidence suggests, from both Canada and abroad, that properly targeted and integrated care in the community can lead to positive outcomes for seniors, family care-givers and the health care system as a whole. Ontario is currently moving toward a regionalized model of care delivery mandated to improve health care system efficiency. The BoC is an example of a model that will determine the appropriate care environment and mix of resources required to sustain seniors in the community. The implementation of the BoC could potentially take strain off acute and institutional care sectors.

In addition to her studies, Kerry is currently working as a research assistant for the Canadian Research Network for Care in the Community and represents the HPME study body as a member of the Graduate Student Union and Curriculum Committee. Kerry is also the captain of the University of Toronto varsity track and field team, and is a three time Academic All Canadian.

Ms. Kuluski is a member of the CIHR Team in Community Care and Health Human Resources.

Ms. Kuluski was involved in the following M-THAC Project:

• Canadian Research Network for Care in the Community (CRNCC)

Selected Presentation:

• A poster on this project was presented at the 2007 M-THAC/Team Symposium, Moving Care From Hospital To Community: Selected Policy and Service Implications Symposium.

Contact Information:
E-mail: kerry.kuluski@utoronto.ca