Nova Scotia Health prides itself on achieving excellence in health, healing and learning. Dr. Ratika Parkash’s research studies are doing just that – by extending new knowledge and care about cardiac health in Nova Scotia and Canada, as well as around the globe.
Dr. Parkash, Attending Staff in the Division of Cardiology, is the recipient of the Making Waves: Outstanding Researcher Award. This provincial award recognizes one researcher (or research team) who has made an outstanding contribution to research at Nova Scotia Health.
Dr. Parkash’s nomination notes that she has “all the traits of an exemplary clinical researcher, including being a remarkable mentor to students in research. She has regularly taken on undergraduate students, medical students, residents and fellows, and has an extraordinary rate of success in bringing their projects not only to academic presentation, but to publication.”
Tell us a bit about yourself; what you do, where you are located, and your favourite part about it.
I’m from Nova Scotia originally. I attended Dalhousie University for my undergraduate degree, and then attended medical school. After graduating, I moved to Ottawa for six years to do internal medicine and cardiology. I then went to Boston to do heart rhythm training and completed a Masters in Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. I came back to Nova Scotia in 2004 to work in the division of cardiology.
My favourite part of the role is all the work I get to do, the variety of patients that I am involved with, and the satisfaction of being able to do research that ultimately helps a large population of people. I find patient care to be very rewarding, particularly because of the one-on-one relationship you get to have.
How do you feel your work contributes to the health and wellbeing of Nova Scotians? Why is it important?
There are a number of different initiatives that I’m involved in that are beneficial to Nova Scotians. This includes the use of digital health for both atrial fibrillation and devices that manage patients with dangerous heart rhythm issues. The digital platform has allowed Nova Scotians to be directly involved with studies in both of those areas.
In the past, we have initiated clinics dedicated to the care of patients with atrial fibrillation and are implementing the findings from our research. This is helping to improve the health of those in Nova Scotia, in Canada, and around the world.
What does it mean to you to receive the Outstanding Researcher Award?
It’s a great honour to be recognized for the research that I do within Nova Scotia Health. There are a number of fantastic researchers in our organization. It’s thrilling to be nominated and then selected.
As this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Researcher Award, how do you hope to inspire others who are working to make a difference in the lives of Nova Scotians each day?
I would encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. Every little bit counts. Whether it’s one small research question or one small clinical initiative, all of it can make a difference. I think our province is a great place to work, study, and research. We have great patient participants, and we have a good infrastructure in place for research at Nova Scotia Health.
Congratulations to Dr. Parkash on receiving this year’s Making Waves: Outstanding Researcher Award. Not only is her research having a significant impact in Nova Scotia and around the world, but she is also helping the researchers of tomorrow grow and develop in their careers. This will lead to a healthier future for all.
