Ontario Brain Institute
Year In Review

2020/2021

The Ontario Brain Institute is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization that accelerates discovery and innovation, benefiting both patients and the economy. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations to pivot away from their 'normal' operations, OBI leveraged their ‘team science’ approach between researchers, clinicians, industry, patients, and their advocates to foster discovery and deliver innovative products and services that improve the lives of those living with brain disorders and beyond.

Letters from the Executive Team

"It was remarkable to witness how OBI was able to transition to this “new normal”, which I believe is a testament to the internal culture we have created, the partnerships we have nurtured and the trust we have established."

Todd Vienneau, Board Chair

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"We focused more than ever on taking the knowledge we have gathered over the years and translating it to the public – specifically prioritizing actionable tactics that people could employ in their own lives as they navigated their way through this new world."

Dr. Tom Mikkelsen, President & Scientific Director

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Featured Stories

At OBI we nurture people, projects, and partnerships towards a common goal - accelerating discovery and innovation to improve the lives of those living with brain disorders. Learn how OBI is advancing knowledge, investing in brain health, and supporting community care.

CP-NET: Focusing on What Matters Most to People Living with Cerebral Palsy

Lived Experience is the Key to ONDRI’s Success

New Mothers Can Depend on Kids Can Fly’s Village

Supporting Community Care More Stories

Advancing Knowledge More Stories

Investing in Brain Health More Stories

CONNECTing Ontario with Consistent Concussion Assessment

POND Helps Kids Cope with Mental Health During COVID-19

Brain-CODE’s Data is Impacting Healthcare Worldwide

MINT Memory Clinic is Changing the Future of Healthcare

UPLIFT Highlights How OBI Enhances Care

CAN-BIND is Committed to Improving the Nation’s Brain and Mental Health

Impact at a Glance

Despite the challenges of the past year, OBI continued to yield positive results through its strategic partnerships and collaborations, working together to improve the lives of those living with brain disorders.

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Culture at OBI

Socializing plays an important role; it isn’t just fun, it’s good for your brain too! Some studies suggest individuals with robust social lives have better memory retention and cognitive abilities later in life.

Being socially active may help reduce the risk of developing anxiety and support cognition into older age, increase feelings of engagement and connectedness.

Keeping social has always been something important at the OBI office. There is an open, fun, and friendly culture within its walls, that is undoubtedly brought on by the OBI Staff.

Even though we have been working from home, just like many of you, it certainly didn’t stop us from having engaged and fun social experiences. From the office kitchen to our laptop screens, here is how OBI spent the last year together, apart...

Social Hours, where we gathered virtually to play activities and games online like Pictionary, Connect, and Quiplash.
OBI Chat Club, which is a kind of online book club. We individually watched films, documentaries, and read short stories. Then we came together to share our thoughts and discuss.
Bi-weekly Coffee Chats mimicked impromptu conversations that would spark discussion in the kitchen. Held on mid-morning Mondays, staff could log on with a cup of coffee (or tea!) and chat!
OBI Step Challenge 2020. During the month of November, 21 OBI Staff laced up their walking shoes and hit the pavement for a walking challenge. Divided into groups of 3 - 4, members were tasked with getting in as many steps possible each week (by the honour system, of course!). The winning team was granted bragging rights. Together, we walked 2,263,961 steps which are just over 1100kms! From the OBI office that would take us to Nashville Tennessee, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, or Thunder Bay Ontario.
Virtual Holiday Celebration 2020. Something a little different than what we were used to, but no less fun! We celebrated together online with creative Zoom backgrounds, festive holiday names, a home scavenger hunt, a game of Family Feud, and to top it all off ~ OBI Staff Awards, called the OBIEs like best real zoom background, biggest excel fan, and biggest smile.