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Michael Garron Hospital’s (MGH) Nursing Innovation Program is a nurse-led practice-based research and innovation program with a team comprised of nurses and nursing externs. The team is led by Angel Wang, Program Manager, and Emma MacGregor and Caitlyn Pirker, Research Coordinators, and engages in research and quality improvement work related to nursing workforce and professional practice at the hospital. The program not only generates local evidence to guide practice change but also gives nurses the opportunity to develop the skills needed to lead that change.
“This program is about recognizing the expertise and potential within our nursing community,” says Mikki Layton, NP, Vice President, Professional Practice, Programs, Scholarship and Chief Nursing Executive at MGH. “By giving nurses and learners the time, tools and support to explore their ideas, we are strengthening practice and creating new opportunities for learning, growth and innovation.”
Angel Wang’s career as a nurse began here at MGH. Starting out, she saw opportunities for practice improvement and often connected with other nurses about what those ideas could look like. When she entered leadership right before the pandemic, she gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of driving change in a dynamic system. As the pressures of the pandemic intensified, so did strain on the nursing workforce. Angel knew that nurses need to be heard and valued, with their expertise included in shaping solutions. The ideas Angel discussed with fellow nurses turned into a call to action.
Leveraging the relationships she had built here at MGH, Angel stepped up to build that vision for nursing at MGH. She developed a research program to explore and test ideas for enhancing nursing practice right here at MGH; where inquiry and practice could inform one another.
Today, the Nursing Innovation Program lives these grassroots. The team supports over 20 research and quality improvement projects; all focused on nursing professional practice and education, nursing engagement, recruitment and retention as well as nursing scholarship and excellence.
Using qualitative and mixed methods approaches in their projects, the team asks nurses to share their experiences in practice.
“By asking nurses directly, we get to access nurses’ knowledge at the source: their experience,” says Emma. “From there, we know where change needs to focus.”
At the core of this intention is respect for voice and agency in change. The goal of this program is not only to deliver research outputs. The team is equally intent on enhancing nursing capacity to lead practice improvement, research and innovation to support excellence in patient-centred care. “Research is one way to develop those transferable leadership skills. By providing research opportunities for nurses at MGH, we are opening up the doors for nurses to learn how practice change works and build their capacity as change agents themselves,” shares Emma.
Elaborating on the impact, Kyle Fajardo, Research Extern shares, “This program has been more than a research opportunity – it's a supportive, team-oriented environment that feels like a family. The mentorship and camaraderie make it easier to ask questions, share ideas and take risks in exploring new approaches. Being a part of this team has helped me gain confidence and see firsthand how research connects directly to improving patient care.”
“We want nurses to feel supported in whatever they want to do,” adds Caitlyn. “Whether they’re volunteering, participating in a project or developing their own ideas, the skills they gain here set them up for future opportunities within practice or research.”
By supporting the team to engage in this process, the Program enhances a spirit of inquiry and curiosity that team members can take with them to apply back to their practice settings.
The Nursing Innovation Program welcomes point-of-care nurse volunteers and hybrid clinical-research nursing externs to join the team, making connections between their daily practice and the innovation that enhances it, all in the same place.
Angel explains, “In the Program, nurses and nursing learners get the opportunity to be part of the whole lifespan of the research project.” The team is supported with mentorship, research skills education and opportunities to engage in many aspects of projects: from conception to dissemination of findings.
“When we engage in research, we are strengthening our critical thinking, analytic thinking, ethics and integrity, and so much more” says Emma. “These skills are critical in clinical practice. At the same time, research can expand our vision for excellence, in nursing practice and beyond.”
Celine Gould, a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at MGH, shared how the program has influenced her nursing practice.
“Being part of both the clinical and research sides has changed how I see nursing. You start to recognize challenges on the unit and think about how research can help address them. It’s also helped me connect what I’m learning with what I’m seeing in practice and understand how research-based evidence can directly improve patient care.”
Elayza-Glor Gaspan, a Registered Nurse at MGH, described how this culture is experienced by those involved in the Program.
“To me, the Program represents nursing advocacy, research and innovation. It’s inspiring to work with like-minded people who are all motivated to improve healthcare for nurses, students and the organization as a whole. We’re exploring real challenges within clinical environments and contributing perspectives shaped by different experiences across the hospital.”
She emphasized how this collaborative environment supports both practice and professional growth.
“Being able to contribute to research that can inform and improve practice is incredibly meaningful. It allows us to advocate for needs that may not always be addressed and helps advance innovation within the hospital.”
As the team looks to collaborate with other practice-based research programs within the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN), they recognize what makes this program unique is its ties to nursing. Part of honouring this commitment is the Spotlight on Nursing Excellence Expo, the Program’s flagship event that celebrates the contributions and impact of nurses across the hospital. In 2025, the Expo welcomed over 500 attendees and showcased 21 specialties and nursing teams. This year, the event has expanded to two days: May 11 and 12, with over 25 teams set to present their work.
Even as the team seeks new opportunities to collaborate with internal and external partners, the team maintains a steadfast connection to their roots. Angel reflects with gratitude, “There are people in the organization who believed and supported this vision – people who helped me build this from the ground up. We share the same belief: nursing knowledge is critical to enhancing patient care and transforming healthcare delivery, and it is essential that nurses have a voice in the development of that knowledge. With the Nursing Innovation Program, we live those principles every day. I am deeply grateful to those individuals for their confidence and support to make this vision a reality.”
