The St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre welcomed more than 200 visitors during its recent Open House as part of Doors Open Winnipeg, offering members of the public a rare opportunity to explore research spaces, meet scientists and staff, and learn more about the work taking place within the Centre.
The event proved to be a tremendous success, with visitors arriving throughout the day to tour laboratories, participate in interactive activities, and engage directly with researchers. Attendance exceeded 200 guests, and event organizers noted that many visitors stayed for much of the day, taking the time to explore exhibits, ask questions, and learn about the discoveries and innovations happening at the Centre.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors expressed appreciation for the opportunity to see firsthand how research is conducted and to gain a better understanding of how scientific discoveries contribute to improving health and healthcare. Many attendees shared their fascination with the breadth of research being undertaken and expressed interest in returning for future events.
The Open House was made possible through the efforts of many individuals and teams across the Centre. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Michael Czubryt for his support of the initiative, as well as the Open House Committee for its months of planning and coordination.
The event also showcased the enthusiasm and dedication of principal investigators, research staff, students, and volunteers who welcomed visitors into laboratories and hosted displays throughout the building. The Youth BIOlab Jeunesse team provided hands-on activities that proved especially popular with guests of all ages.
Additional thanks are extended to the Parking Services and Protection Services teams for helping ensure the event ran smoothly, and to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation for connecting with visitors and sharing the impact of research within the community. We also gratefully acknowledge Hospital Executive and President & CEO Nicole Aminot for their support of the event, as well as the team from Corporate Communications at St. Boniface Hospital for helping promote and support the Open House.
The Centre would also like to thank Doors Open Winnipeg for welcoming us as a participating site this year and for helping connect our research community with members of the public from across Winnipeg.
The success of the Open House reflects the strong interest the public has in learning about health research and the important work being conducted at the Centre. The enthusiasm, curiosity, and engagement shown by visitors throughout the day reinforced the value of opening our doors and sharing our work with the community we serve.
Planning discussions are already underway to determine what future public engagement opportunities may look like. Whether the Open House returns as an annual event, a biannual event, or in another format, organizers encourage the public to stay tuned for future announcements.