From Studies to Solutions: Alum Works to Bridge Gaps in Canadian Healthcare

Using her MCPHS experience, Dr. Katherine Kulyk develops systems to improve patient outcomes in British Columbia.

In Vancouver, Canada, Dr. Katherine Kulyk works with cardiologists to uncover and overcome some of the most troubling barriers between patients and quality care. For example, one of the cardiologists she works with observed that people with severe aortic stenosis—or significant narrowing of one of the heart’s valves—often don’t receive the clinical care they need.

“Most patients are either undiagnosed or monitored solely by their primary care practitioner and don’t realize how serious their condition is until it is too late,” she explained. “Taking a leadership role in addressing this important clinical problem has been incredibly meaningful.”

Dr. Kulyk is Director of Knowledge Translation for the Divisions of Cardiology at two prominent hospitals in British Columbia. Her organization established this role for her, based in part on her experience during the Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS).

Kulyk, DHA ’24, MS, describes knowledge translation as a process to improve clinical practice through various initiatives and activities, integrating the best available knowledge and research into healthcare settings.

“This program opened my eyes to knowledge translation, a term I didn’t truly understand before,” she said. “It’s about ensuring our patients are prioritized to receive optimal care.”

Discovering Knowledge Translation

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Dr. Kulyk began her career as an administrative assistant at one of British Columbia’s health authorities. Since then, she has worked her way up through promotions while simultaneously earning her master’s degree.

“My college mentor is an incredibly gifted and passionate operations director with an extensive portfolio. I wanted to follow her path,” Dr. Kulyk explained. “I wanted to be a decision maker who facilitated change, and I thought that was the way to do it.”

Eventually, she was ready to advance her degree once again, but the programs she explored in Canada did not fit the vision she had for her career.

“Doctorates in Canada are still very focused on traditional research and academia-related professional pathways, but I wanted to stay on the practical side of healthcare,” she explained. So, she expanded her search and found MCPHS.

“The DHA had everything that was important to me for my doctorate-level degree,” she said. “It stuck out that MCPHS is a very healthcare-focused institution with a long history, and it also offered good flexibility while being rigorous. After my interview, I knew it was right for me.”

During her final semester, Dr. Kulyk did a Directed Study to dive deeper into the process of investigating care issues with evidence-based solutions and identifying the root causes of these problems. With the help of Assistant Professor Christina Mullikin and the support of the Dean, Dr. Kulyk spent the semester exploring her newfound interest in knowledge translation.

“Dr. Mullikin made it happen. She made sure that my academic experience was tailored to be most useful to me.”

Before graduating in May, Dr. Kulyk was asked to speak to students and faculty at the school’s awards night. She received the inaugural Dean’s Award in Healthcare Business and Technology and the Doctoral Capstone Project Award of Excellence for her leadership and dedication to improving patient outcomes. She also graduated among the top of her class.

“It was a wonderful surprise,” she said, looking back on the significance behind the awards. “I am grateful and humbled. It was so inspiring to have the support of professors and peers all the way through the end of the program.”

Putting Her Degree to Work

Back in Vancouver, Dr. Kulyk has applied her MCPHS education to her new role. Focusing on cardiac patients, she is working on research studies that will change policy on how patients access and receive treatment. She is also supporting the development and implementation of best practices, partnering with healthcare leaders from around the world.

“It is astounding to know that care protocols and national guidelines will change because of these initiatives,” she said. “There will be both a direct and indirect positive impact on patient and caregiver lives across the globe.”

Although she is just beginning, Dr. Kulyk is hopeful about a career that will improve healthcare in Canada and worldwide.

“When you see there are patients who don’t receive optimal care, not because the knowledge doesn’t exist but because it isn’t able to be implemented, it creates a severe inequity in care, and that’s what I want to address,” she said. “No matter what your circumstances may be, you should be able to access the best care.”