Nicole Rakowski

Biography

Nicole is currently completing her PhD in Health Management through the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University and is also part of the sessional faculty teaching various courses. Her research interests include digital health technologies and genomics, fitness and physiology, complex chronic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, health engagement policies and strategies to improve health. 

• What is a brief overview of your research? 

Nicole’s research seeks to examine whether government digital health-based policies, strategies and approaches designed to prevent, control, or reverse obesity can be used to enhance public engagement and improve population health and health systems?   

• How does your research contribute to your field of study? 

Nicole’s particular dissertation focuses on obesity, specifically examining health services and policy frameworks related to risk factors with a focus on disease prevention, control and management at the local, national and international level. The question of whether digital health-based policies, strategies and approaches designed to prevent, control, or reverse obesity can be used to effectively enhance population health and improve health systems is an important one from a health systems and management point of view. Understanding how and why individuals engage with digital health technologies in an effort to prevent and control obesity is crucial to disease prevention at a population level. 

• What impact does your research have on the world? 

1. Worldwide rates of obesity have nearly tripled since 1975, creating an urgent need to tackle the growing problem of the obesity epidemic and the strain it has posed on health systems. Understanding whether digital health-based policies, strategies and approaches designed to prevent, control or reverse obesity that can be used to effectively enhance population health and improve health systems remains unclear. Thus, there is confusion as to how policy and decision makers are able to address the unmet needs of obese individuals and those at risk in a sustainable and meaningful manner through the use of digital health-based strategies. 

1. This research aims to review existing gaps in knowledge about how and why individuals in OECD countries engage with digital health technologies in an effort to prevent, control or reverse obesity. There is currently limited research in this field even though obesity-related diseases will claim more than 90 million lives in OECD countries within the next 30 years, and life expectancy is expected to be reduced by nearly 3 years. This research will also aim to identify which policies, strategies and approaches are not taken into account based on what individuals have identified and bridge the disconnect by seeking feedback from government officials, program leaders and program participants. 

Although there is literature and information about government policies, strategies and approaches that have been used to target obesity, this research will include a mixed methods case study design that analyzes how a particular jurisdiction has implemented a specific digital health-based policy, strategy or approach. Understanding digital health-based approaches to obesity prevention that a particular jurisdiction has implemented is key to developing sustainable strategies that are effective in preventing obesity. This research will have the potential to add to existing knowledge that seeks to reduce obesity related risks for health at the population level, while at the same time providing relevant information for policy and decision makers at the organizational and health system level. 

• What skills do you use for your research? 

Nicole will use a mix of the following skills: communication, interpersonal, goal-setting, data collection, analysis of information from different sources, report writing, critical thinking and interviewing. 

Nicole’s Career as a Professional Athlete 

Nicole is also extremely well versed in physiology, kinesiology, and is working with Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla California, one of the world’s most renowned research institute working with the world’s leaders in Genomics to illustrate how digital health technologies can monitor those with specific health related conditions. 

As a trainer and coach, Nicole work with individuals from the very biomechanical levels, and tailors each program in such level of detail to ensure there is never any injury and clients receive the best possible results. She incorporates their genetic factors, hereditary pre-disposition, personal preferences, dietary restrictions, flexibility and range of motion, along with any health conditions they may have. She works down to the muscle fibre level, and uses advanced physiological and metabolic knowledge to help clients perform to their maximum potential.

She is currently working with and being trained by some of the absolute best in the world when it comes to bodybuilding. She will be at the Olympia in December representing STRONG and will also be on the next cover of Muscle Memory Magazine in the New Year.  

Nicole’s Career in Healthcare Leadership 

Nicole has tremendous knowledge and expertise as a leader in the healthcare sector. She currently works as a Patient Experience Specialist at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and was a previous Clinical Manager of the Vaccination Clinic at HHS. In her role as a Patient Experience Specialist, her primary role is to receive and resolve escalated patient complaints in a timely manner, as well as to provide guidance to staff and patients in regards to HHS’ policies and procedures. Prior to this role, Nicole was a consultant for the Hamilton Health Team and she was the Health Links Transformation Lead for Hamilton and Niagara North West for two years (through HHS). In this role, she provided leadership, direction and guidance to teams in order to achieve optimal results and meet provincial targets that were created by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.  

Previous to this role, Nicole has held the position of Administrative Resident to the VP of Public Relations and Communications at HHS. In this position, she has worked to evaluate HHS’ brand and market position and created a project charter and strategic plan for executing a re-branding mission cross Hamilton Health Sciences. Nicole also worked on the Ambulatory Care Review process, completing a current state assessment, reviewing leading practices, and identifying opportunities that can improve the quality of HHS’ patients experience over the next several years. Prior to this role, Nicole was the Administrative Resident for the President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences. Nicole was responsible for organizing and conducting a theme analysis for the LHIN CEO Retreat, and worked on a Population Health Project that was further developed by HHS. Nicole previously held the position as a Junior Science Policy Analyst, working for the President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Ottawa.  

Ms. Rakowski has been recognized for her accomplishments both within and external to McMaster University. She was selected to be the Valedictorian for the Health Sciences Faculty convocation in November 2016, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Global Health Program, specializing in Health Care Management. She received the Burke Memorial Ring during her undergraduate convocation, the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship provided by HHS, the Rotary Club of Hamilton Award, the Susan Vajocki Travel Scholarship Award, the Community Contribution Award, the Research Plenary Award during her Master’s, and numerous other awards. 

Awards & Achievements

• Community Engagement Student Leadership Award, McMaster University, November 2022. 
• DDSA Ph.D. Research Day – Students’ Presentation Competition, McMaster University, May 2022. 
• Therese Quigley Award of Excellence for Graduate Student Leadership in Athletics, McMaster Univ. Dec, 2021. 

• 2021 GSA Millenium Award for Community Service, McMaster University, December 2021. 
• Community Engagement Student Leadership Award, McMaster University, November 2021. 
• Gallery of Graduate Arts, Featured Artwork of Distinction, McMaster University, October 2021. 
• Kathryn Huget Leadership Award, (awarded to Canadian female student, currently in leadership role, whose focus is to improve the business workplace for women). August 2021. 
• Covid Champion Award, McMaster University, May 2021. 

• GradFlix Finalist, McMaster University, April 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8_J4uEKt4I  
• Top 25 under 25 Environmentalist Awards in Canada, October 2018. 
• Valedictorian for the Faculty of Health Sciences Convocation (highest GPA and community achievements), 2016. 
• Research Plenary Award for DeGroote School of Business Presentation Night, April 2016.  
• Dean’s List, McMaster University, September 2015. 

• Summa Cum Laude, Sciences Convocation, September 2015. 
• Rotary Club of Hamilton Community Contribution Award, September 2015. 
• Global Health Scholarship, September 2015. 
• Burke Memorial Ring – Outstanding Academic Achievement and Community Contribution, June 2015.  
• Golden Key Honours Society Award, September 2014. 

• Leadership of Tomorrow Scholarship Award – Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2014. 
• Susan Vajocki Travel Scholarship Award – McMaster University, June 2014. 
• Montreal World Health Organization Delegate Award, March 2014. 
• 1st Place Communications Award – World Health Organization, January 2014. 
• 2nd Place Award for Food & Travel Management Category – DECA U Provincials, January 2014. 

• Completed Grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music; played at the National KIWANIS festival, May 2009. 
• Spin Instructor Certified (2013), Weight Training Supervisor Certified (2011), Advanced Scuba Certified (2014)

Memberships & Committees

• Member of Academic Affairs Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Member of Graduate Health & Student Review Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Member of Student Issues Action Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Member of Executive Review Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Clinical Ethics Committee- Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2018. 

• United Way Campaign- Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2018. 
• Environmental Committee- Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2016. 
• Member of SHEC McMaster University, September 2015. 
• Member of McMaster’s Polish Society, September 2014.