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Health Research
Health research aims to find better ways to treat, prevent and cure disease.
This vital component of healthcare can take multiple forms and present a variety of risks and opportunities. Whether it is a clinical trial, secondary data research, research ethics board protocol review, or a material transfer agreement, we keep the aims of the study top of mind while advising researchers, funders, and health care organizations. We also advise on deidentification of data for research purposes, and questions of research versus quality.
Our services include:
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Agreements - Material transfer, clinical trial, data sharing, basic science
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Research ethics board advice
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Research misconduct
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Protocol reviews
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Informed consents
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Deidentified data
Connect with our team
Mary Jane Dykeman
Samara Starkman
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Our People
Meet the dedicated team behind INQ.
COUNSEL
Kathy O’Brien
Contact
Practices
Corporate/Contracts
Mergers & Integrations
Board Governance
Charities and Not-for-profits
Privacy
Kathy’s practice is focused on corporate and commercial matters. She regularly speaks to boards of not-for-profit and charitable corporations to advise them of their governance and charitable law responsibilities, including providing advice on hospital, foundation, and association by-laws. Kathy works with healthcare organizations and foundations to establish appropriate governance structures and policies to facilitate and maintain healthy, cooperative relationships.
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Kathy has worked with Ontario health service providers for over 20 years, facilitating restructurings and realignments within the healthcare sector, and implementing integrations of all kinds. This includes: Ontario health teams, amalgamations, mergers, management services arrangements, alliances, and networks. She has helped establish several shared services organizations in Ontario (procurement and IT services), as well as alliances that provide information technology services, electronic health record systems, PACS services and diagnostic imaging repositories.
Kathy is working with many clients to assist in their governance transition to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.
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Recent Experience
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Advised on the merger of two children’s aid societies
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Advised on the amalgamation of a national disease charity and its parallel foundation
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Created template ONCA-compliant by-laws for Ontario children’s aid societies
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Advised hospital and community-based agencies to establish alliance with a shared board and membership governance structure
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Advised shared service organizations (SSOs) as they restructure and evolve across Ontario
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Assisted with the creation of an IT-based SSO to provide hospital information system and IT services to 20+ hospitals
Insights & Recognition
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Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized by her peers in Health Care Law (2008-2025)
Affiliations
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Ontario Bar Association (Member)
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Board of Directors & Chair, Governance Committee of Jörgen Dance
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