About the Dahdaleh Institute

Director's Message

Rural and small communities in Nova Scotia are facing persistent and widening inequities in health outcomes, driven by challenges in access to care, health workforce capacity, chronic disease burden, and the upstream social determinants of health. These are interconnected issues rooted in broader structural and social conditions, and they require coordinated, prevention-oriented system responses rather than siloed solutions.

The Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health has been established in direct response to this need. It is a rural health research institute focused on the social determinants of health, working across communities, academia, and health systems to translate evidence into action that improves health outcomes where they are most needed.

Meeting this challenge requires more than producing knowledge. It requires ensuring that knowledge moves across sectors, into systems, and into practice where it can inform decisions and drive measurable change. The Institute is being built as a hub for collaboration that connects disciplines and ensures research is shaped by, and responsive to, the priorities and strengths of rural communities.

We are building on strong foundations, including the expertise of scholars at St. Francis Xavier University, long-standing community relationships, and leadership across Nova Scotia. These foundations are anchored in a shared commitment to prevention, equity, and meaningful systems change in rural health.

I am privileged to be part of this work and look forward to what we will build together.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Kara Thompson
Director, Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health
Research Chair Substance Use Policy and Prevention
Associate Professor, Departments of Psychology and Health 

Vision, Mission, and Values

Our Vision

Healthy rural communities where people thrive

Our Mission

Improving rural health and equity by working with communities, driving innovation, and 
turning research into real-world solutions

Our Values

• Innovation. We foster creativity, curiosity, and forward-thinking approaches to generate new solutions that improve rural health and advance equity.
• Collaboration. We work together across disciplines and sectors, valuing diverse expertise and perspectives to address complex rural health challenges.
• Knowledge to Action. We are committed to translating research and evidence 
  into real-world solutions that make a meaningful difference in rural communities.
• Equity & Social Justice. We challenge inequities and remove barriers so that all rural people can thrive, grounding our work in fairness, dignity, and inclusion.
• Community Partnership. We build authentic, respectful, and reciprocal relationships with communities, co-creating strategies and solutions that reflect their priorities and support shared goals.

Strategic Aims

Centered on community and collaboration, our four strategic aims guide our work in research, training, knowledge mobilization, and partnership-building to advance rural health.