About Us
Montfort Pediatrics Department Research Team
While working on the newborn unit and in baby clinics, our team has observed that some families lack access to primary care providers to support their newborns and young children. The first two years of life are critical to a child’s development and long-term health. In response, our research team created this website to serve as a hub of evidence-based information and helpful resources that families can turn to as they navigate early parenthood.
Our Story
This project began with a shared concern: too many families leave the hospital without reliable access to follow-up care or trusted information about their newborn’s health. As clinicians and researchers working in newborn care and baby clinics, we witnessed the uncertainty many parents face during their baby’s first weeks and months.
We created this website to bridge that gap — offering evidence-based, accessible, and practical information to help families feel more confident and supported in caring for their newborns and young children. Whether you’re navigating feeding, sleep, growth, or everyday concerns, we’re here to make sure you’re not doing it alone.
Meet the Team
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Department of Pediatrics, Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Heather Dunlap
Heather Dunlap is an early-career consultant pediatrician who believes that every child should be allowed to play in the dirt. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto medical school and finished her paediatrics residency at the University of Ottawa in the post-COVID era.
She has an interest in social pediatrics and the way the socioeconomic environment plays a fundamental role influencing child heath. Her recent research interests have been focused on infant and children's access to primary care and quality improvement.
Department of Pediatrics, Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Michael Saginur
Dr. Saginur is a pediatrician who completed a Pediatrics residency at Memorial University, a fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology at the University of Alberta, and a Master's in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Saginur works at Ho(accent)pital Montfort in clinic and on the newborn unit. His research focuses on babies` postnatal health.
Dr Saginur also works in pharmaceutical evaluation at Health Canada. The information on this website is completely independent of that work, and does not claim to express the positions of Health Canada, of the Public Agency of Canada, or of the Government of Canada.
Research Associate
Miryam Duquet
As a Research Associate at the Institut du Savoir Montfort since fall 2021, Miryam is in charge of facilitating a variety of research projects, including those related to family medicine, medical education, access to healthcare, obstetrics and gynecology surgery, pediatrics, as well as several research initiatives at Hôpital Montfort. Her role encompasses a variety of tasks, from seeking out funding opportunities to supporting member-researchers in carrying out research projects from start to finish.
Miryam hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences and a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, and nutrition and physical activity are obviously at the heart of her interests. She continue to be involved in the development of articles related to these research topics.
Research Assistant
Cerine Benomar
Cerine Benomar is research Assistant at the Institut du Savoir Montfort since 2024, contributing to numerous research projects on maternal and infant health. Her role varies from assisting with participant recruitment to conducting statistical analyses.
She earned her master’s degree in interdisciplinary health sciences from the University of Ottawa and her bachelor’s degree in health psychology and Statistics from Carleton University. With a background in health psychology, health sciences, and statistics, she has developed a strong interest in performing statistical analyses and applying them to public health research.
Research Assistant
Nina Kucheran
Nina Kucheran is a medical student at the University of Ottawa with a background in high-performance sport as a former member of the Canadian national swim team. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Florida, competing as a student-athlete at both institutions.
She is passionate about family medicine, pediatrics, sports medicine, and social care, with a focus on improving access to health services for children and families in underserved communities. As part of her research role, Nina developed this evidence-based website to support caregivers in navigating newborn health information and accessing primary care resources.
Research Assistant
Hannah Khouri
Hannah Khouri is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa and holds a Bachelor’s degree in the same field. Since 2021, she has conducted graduate research on type 2 diabetes in a laboratory at Hôpital Montfort and is supported by a graduate scholarship from the Institut du Savoir Montfort.
She is passionate about promoting research conducted at the Institut du Savoir Montfort through her role as Vice-President of the student committee. She is also actively engaged in these projects as a part-time research assistant with the Newborn Care Team.
Research Assistant
Madisson Kelleher-Radey
Madisson Kelleher-Radey is a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing.
In addition to working as a Registered Nurse, Madisson is also a Research Assistant at the Institut du Savoir Montfort, where she contributes to research focused on maternal and newborn health. Her research interests include maternal health, neonatal care, primary care, and quality improvement, with a empahsis on informing clinical practices and improving care for infants, children, and their families.