Tracey Colella
About Me

Clinician Scientist & Associate Professor

Tracey J. F. Colella, RN, MScN (Ed.), ACNP-APN, PhD, FCAN

– Clinician Scientist, KITE Research Institute, Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network

– Associate Professor, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing & Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto

– Lillian Love Chair in Women’s Health, University Health Network & University of Toronto

Research

Research Statement

My program of research focuses on strategies to facilitate seamless patient and family transitions through the cardiovascular continuum of care. I am particularly interested in the following research areas:

  • 1. women’s cardiovascular health;

  • 2. defining the needs, preferences, sex and gender differences that impact effective and timely access to community-based cardiac care;

  • 3. the development and evaluation of patient-centred interventions to facilitate seamless transitions in the cardiovascular continuum of care; and

  • 4. the integration of patient-centred technology to reduce systemic, programmatic and patient barriers in the continuum of cardiovascular care.

Publications

Publications

A collection of peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference papers showcasing recent research findings and collaborative scientific work.

  • 01

    The use of digital avatars to improve virtual rehabilitation health outcomes amongst adults with health conditions: a scoping review

    Fateme Pourghasem, Tracey JF Colella, Urvashy Gopaul, Melanie Anderson, Ahmed Ashraf, Shehroz S Khan

    Disability and Rehabilitation · 2025

    https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2577878

  • 02

    Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Priority Setting Partnership

    Racquel K Brown, Monica Parry, Paul Oh, Lisa Cotie, Jennifer Harris, Mireille Landry, Patrice Lindsay, Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, Karen Minden, Kerri-Anne Mullen, Sharon L Mulvagh, Tamara Rader, Jennifer Bethell, Tracey JF Colella

    CJC Open · 2025

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjco.2025.10.005

  • 03

    Beyond “one-size-fits-all”: Re-thinking methods and data reporting to advance intersectionality in cardiovascular health research

    Nicholas Grubic, Varinder K Randhawa, Lisa Cotie, Tracey JF Colella, Laura Banks

    CJC Open · 2025

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjco.2025.10.001

Click for more publications···
Grants

Grants and Funding

Selected grants and funding that support my research program.

  • 01

    The Systematic Review of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Major Clinical Heart Failure Trials by Intersectionality of Sex, Gender, Race and Age: Maximizing Knowledge Translation Opportunities

    Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant – Sex and Gender in Health Research

    Role: Co-Principal Investigator

    September 2025 - September 2027

    Principal Investigator(s): L Banks

    Co-Investigator(s): N Adreak, KA Connelly, P Cote, J Forcillo, M Graham, N Grubic, D Kimmarliardjuk, CM Norris, VK Randhawa, AT Yan, Tracey JF Colella

    Amount: $183,600 CAD

  • 02

    Acceleration-Postpartum: Co-Creation of a Behaviour Change Intervention for High-Risk Postpartum Women

    Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Planning & Dissemination Grant

    Role: Principal Investigator

    March 2025 - March 2026

    Principal Investigator(s): Tracey JF Colella

    Co-Investigator(s): L Cotie, L Banks, L Dubrofsky, S Gundy, K Nerenberg, G Smith, P Oh, I Wirsig, K Fleming, C Pollock

    Amount: $20,000 CAD

  • 03

    The Systematic Review of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Major Clinical Trials by Sex, Race and Age: Maximizing Knowledge Translation Opportunities

    Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant – Bridge Funding

    Role: Co-Principal Investigator

    January 2025 - January 2026

    Principal Investigator(s): L Banks

    Co-Investigator(s): N Adreak, KA Connelly, J Forcillo, M Graham, N Grubic, D Kimmarliardjuk, CM Norris, VK Randhawa, AT Yan, Tracey JF Colella

    Amount: $100,000 CAD

Click for full grants list···
Resume

Education & Experience

A journey grounded in rigorous training, impactful clinical research, and patient-centered care.

2006 – 2009
PhD in Nursing (Cardiovascular Science Specialization)
@ Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary
1998 – 1998
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate
@ Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
1993 – 1995
Master of Science in Nursing (Education)
@ Faculty of Nursing, Western University
1991 – 1993
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Cum Laude)
@ School of Nursing, Laurentian University
1987 – 1990
Diploma Nursing (Dean's Honor List)
@ School of Nursing, Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology
2025 – Present
Lillian Love Chair in Women’s Health
@ University Health Network & University of Toronto
2025 – Present
Scientist Appointment
@ The Wilson Centre, The Institute for Education Research (TIER), University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2023 – Present
Research Lead, Team Cardiopulmonary
@ KITE Research Institute, University Health Network (Toronto Rehab – Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation Program), Toronto, ON
2013 – Present
Scientist and Clinician, Teams Optimize & Cardiopulmonary Fitness
@ KITE Research Institute, University Health Network (Toronto Rehab – Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation Program), Toronto, ON
2022 – Present
Associate Professor, Faculty, Cardiovascular Sciences Collaborative Specialization
@ University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Get In Touch

Get In Touch

If you have questions about my research, clinical work, or opportunities for collaboration, feel free to reach out and I will respond as soon as possible.

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