Dr. Stirling Bryan steps into a pivotal leadership role, strengthening the integration of health system and patient perspectives into research and health policy.
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) is pleased to welcome Dr. Stirling Bryan as Interim Executive Director, effective February 2026. A distinguished health economist, Dr. Bryan’s work has helped shape health system policy and build capacity for patient-oriented research across British Columbia. His leadership experience spans academic, health system and provincial research organizations, with a strong track record in economic evaluation, health technology assessment and evidence-informed decision-making.
We spoke with Dr. Bryan about his leadership philosophy and his vision for VCHRI’s evolving role within British Columbia’s health research ecosystem.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
A: VCHRI has been part of my professional life since 2008, so stepping into this role feels both meaningful and personal. The research institute has been a constant thread throughout my career in Canada, and I see this as an opportunity to contribute to its next chapter in a more intentional way.
What excites me most is working alongside a community of researchers, clinicians, patients and leaders who care deeply about improving care and outcomes for the people we serve. As one of the top funded research institutes in Canada, VCHRI has strong foundations, and I’m looking forward to building on those strengths to sharpen our shared sense of purpose and impact.
I believe research should be woven into the fabric of health care, shaping how care is designed and delivered every day. If we can continue to nurture that culture — through innovation, meaningful engagement and strong interdisciplinary partnerships — we will show how research can make a tangible difference for patients and for the health system as a whole.
Q: What excites you most about the future of health research in British Columbia?
A: We are living in a time of significant turbulence, and British Columbia is navigating the same fiscal and system pressures shaping health care systems globally. That context makes it even more important that our work is relevant, timely and responsive.
What gives me optimism is the momentum I see around research that truly matters — research that responds to policy priorities, clinical practice and the lived experiences of patients and communities. Increasingly, studies are being designed not only to generate knowledge or improve treatment options, but to co-develop solutions to pressing challenges in the health system.
Across VCHRI, there are powerful examples of what becomes possible when research is done with people, not just for them. In my own work, we are seeing how genetic testing can help tailor depression treatment to individual patients, improving outcomes while also reducing unnecessary trial-and-error prescribing and the strain this places on the health system.
This kind of patient-informed, clinically relevant research reflects a broader shift across our research community. It puts us in a strong position to advance people-centred research and to demonstrate how evidence can drive practical improvements in care.
