Indigenous peoples face huge health disparities and challenges in Canada, with higher rates of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and diabetes-associated complications compared to non-Indigenous communities. Additionally, the lack of access to reliable healthcare and resources contributes to the worsening of health outcomes for Indigenous peoples across the country. Addressing these inequities has been the goal of Dr. Stewart Harris’ career. In developing diabetes care systems directly within First Nations communities, he hopes to create healthcare access locally for those who need it most.

Dr. Harris completed his medical degree at the University of Calgary and earned his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, Dr. Harris is a Family Medicine physician and the Medical Director at the Primary Care Diabetes Support Program located at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, one of Ontario’s leading teaching hospitals. Dr. Harris’ research focuses on three main areas: diabetes research with Indigenous communities, hypoglycemia and clinical trial research.

Dr. Harris’ extensive work with Indigenous communities began as the Medical Director for Sioux Lookout, where he provided healthcare for people residing in the town. Additionally, he played an instrumental role in initiating the Sandy Lake Health and Diabetes Project, which began as a collaboration between the Sandy Lake First Nation in Ontario and researchers in 1991. It has grown since then into a collection of interventions and community-focused activities including home visits, youth diabetes summer camps and a local diabetes radio show that communicates information about diabetes prevention and management directly to members throughout the day.

Dr. Harris was also the Principal Investigator of the TransFORmation of IndiGEnous PrimAry HEAlthcare Delivery (FORGE AHEAD) program. The FORGE AHEAD program, which started in 2013 and ran for 5 years, was developed with community-driven and culturally relevant healthcare models that enhanced chronic disease management in First Nations communities across 7 provinces. Through all of these initiatives, Dr. Harris’ ultimate goal is to improve care for patients living with Type 2 diabetes in these communities with culturally appropriate solutions that are implemented through partnerships between Indigenous community members and academic partners.

In addition to working in and with Indigenous communities, Dr. Harris is also advancing research in hypoglycemia, or episodes of low blood sugar, and diabetes-related practices in the clinic. He is investigating why some people living with diabetes are at higher risk of experiencing hypoglycemia than others. As the co-Principal Investigator on the iNPHORM study, he collaborated with Sanofi to develop a model that predicts patients’ risk of developing hypoglycemia. The study involved enrolling 1,206 participants living with Type 1 or 2 diabetes who use insulin and collecting observational data from the cohort. Additionally, he has served as the Chair of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) clinical committee to help advance clinical practice guidelines.

Dr. Harris has received numerous awards and honours for his work in the field and for serving vulnerable communities. These include the Ontario Ministry of Health Career Scientist Award, the Dr. Gerald S. Wong Service Award from the CDA and the Order of Canada. Dr. Harris continues to work tirelessly, striving to reduce the clinical and financial burdens that First Nations people living with diabetes face everyday.

— Written by Rebecca Dang