معرفی
Jessica J. Wong, DC, PhD is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the School of Physical Therapy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. She holds cross-appointments as Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Assistant Professor (status-only) at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, Adjunct Scientist at ICES Western, and Adjunct Professor at Ontario Tech University's Faculty of Health Sciences.
Dr. Wong's educational background includes:
- PhD in Epidemiology from University of Toronto
- MPH in Epidemiology from University of Toronto
- Doctor of Chiropractic from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
- BSc in Medical Radiation Sciences from University of Toronto
Dr. Wong leads a program of research focused on aging, musculoskeletal health, rehabilitation, and health equity. Her work centers on developing innovative strategies to address unmet healthcare needs and improve equitable access-to-care for people requiring rehabilitation, particularly aging adults with musculoskeletal conditions. She employs epidemiologic and knowledge synthesis methods, including population-based studies using linked health survey and administrative data, as well as systematic and scoping reviews. A distinctive aspect of her research approach is the co-design of studies alongside people with lived experience, family members, and caregivers to ensure relevance and meaningful impact for diverse communities.
Analysis of Dr. Wong's recent publications reveals a strong focus on rehabilitation access issues, particularly during the pandemic, and structural barriers to care for vulnerable populations. Her work spans multiple methodologies from population-based cohort studies to systematic reviews, with particular emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions, aging populations, and healthcare utilization patterns. She has made significant contributions to World Health Organization guidelines and has developed innovative approaches to measuring rehabilitation coverage.
Dr. Wong has been recognized with several prestigious awards:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Awardee
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
- AGE-WELL Michael F. Harcourt Policy Fellowship
- CIHR Doctoral Award
As a supervisor, Dr. Wong accepts graduate students in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc and PhD programs). Her research is supported by multiple grants, including her CIHR REDI Award, which focuses on the Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research. She collaborates extensively across institutions, particularly with ICES Western for population health data analysis, and maintains strong connections with clinical rehabilitation settings to ensure her research addresses real-world challenges.
Dr. Wong is actively involved in several research clusters including Aging & Life-Course Epidemiology, Chronic Disease & Multimorbidity, Marginalized Populations & Social Determinants of Health, and Health Services Research. Her work bridges clinical practice, epidemiology, and health policy to create meaningful improvements in rehabilitation services.
