Gateway CERH Celebrates Research, Community and Rural Health at Annual White Paper Day
- Lily Rideout
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Gateway CERH Research Assistants gather for a group photo (missing two Research Assistants)) White Paper Day audience listening to one of the Research Assistants presentation White Paper Day audience enjoying good company and lunch White Paper Day program/goodies for guests
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway CERH) proudly held its annual White Paper Day & Donor Appreciation event on August 14, 2026, at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Goderich, Ontario. Sponsored by Libro Credit Union, the event brought together staff, donors, community partners, healthcare professionals, business leaders, service club representatives, and family members to celebrate the achievements of Gateway CERH’s research assistants and the community that makes this work possible.
The event was moderated by Lily Rideout, Business Development Officer & Research Assistant at the not-for-profit. The gathering provided an opportunity for Gateway CERH community to come together and recognize the collaborative effort behind the organization’s research and programming.
Throughout the morning, Gateway CERH’s Research Assistants presented their work from the summer, highlighting the progress and accomplishments of their respective projects. The presentations showcased the variety of rural health research taking place across the organization and the meaningful contributions made to Gateway CERH programs this summer.
Reflecting on White Paper Day and their time at Gateway CERH, Sophia Buckman, Research Assistant, shared "it was an absolute pleasure working at Gateway CERH this summer alongside a group of amazing rural health advocates. This summer was full of learning and growth, but none of it would have been possible without the amazing environment and net of support created by the Gateway CERH staff. I am eternally grateful for the relationships I've formed, the research experience I've gained, and the impact on rural health I was a part of, all of which I was able to showcase today at White Paper Day."
Gateway CERH Founder and President Gwen Devereaux reflected on the importance of the organization’s community of supporters. “This growth has only been possible because so many people have believed in our mission and supported our vision,” said Devereaux. “The excitement and energy in the room on Friday was a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish when our community works together.”
This year’s Research Assistants included Lily Rideout, Sophia Buckman, Julia Waanders, Sage Milne, Madison Cardno, Julie Wein, Kaleigh McCallum, and Nyden Greenfield.
The research and program areas presented during White Paper Day included:
Together, these projects reflect Gateway CERH’s ongoing commitment to identifying rural community needs and developing research-informed, community-grounded solutions.
Gateway CERH is grateful to its donors, volunteers, community partners, staff, students, and supporters for their continued commitment to strengthening rural communities and building a healthier future for all.
About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health
Founded in 2008, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education, and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at www.gatewayruralhealth.ca
Comments