FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

News Brief celebrates the many achievements of alumni, students and faculty from the Faculty of Health Disciplines. Share your story! Please send a note to fhdnews@athabascau.ca.

Treasuring academic achievement with gold, silverFor the second year in a row, the Governor General’s Academic Medals — awarded to the top graduate (Gold Medal) and undergraduate (Silver Medal) graduates at each of Canada’s universities — have gone to a couple of outstanding Faculty of Health Disciplines grads!

Improving the lives of nursing home residents with dementiaPeople who can’t tell caregivers where or how much they hurt often suffer needlessly. Research led by Dr. Jennifer Knopp-Sihota aims to develop a groundbreaking new tool to help assess the severity of pain — and reduce that pain through better management.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!There is no happier day in the AU calendar than Convocation. On Friday, June 9, 2017, the campus was awash in a sea of smiles, tears, hugs, handshakes — and much-deserved pride. Congratulations, grads! You are truly the “class” of 2017. We hope AU will continue to be part of your academic journeys.

World-leading awards, two years runningLast year, Mariko Sakamoto (Master of Nursing ’16) received the top prize from the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology for her master’s thesis. This year, the Faculty of Health Disciplines doubled down: Karen Lara (Master of Counselling ’17) took home the IIQM top honour.

AU’s Rising Star shines brightlyJennifer Jackson (Master of Nursing ’16) is passionate about empowering nurses to excel and is focused on researching organizational resilience. Receiving AU’s Rising Star Award recognizes what she has achieved already — and the positive difference she’s destined to make in the future.

Our teachers are topsBring together great instructors and great students, and you have the recipe for great success. Faculty of Health Disciplines faculty go the extra mile to ensure students have outstanding learning experiences. Recent award- winners epitomize that spirit and commitment.

Coming to a conference near youAdvancing knowledge and practice doesn’t happen only through courses and research. Taking part in conferences is a prime way for faculty, alumni and students to help improve health and well-being. AU will be represented at some high-profile events. Drop by and say “hi” if you’ll be attending.

Active Living Corner:Tough mudders rise (wallow?) to the challengeDeb Fraser and Bill Diehl-Jones (both Nursing professors in the Faculty of Health Disciplines) have previously run half and full marathons. For a change of pace, they recently participated in the Manitoba Mud Run — and, as Bill writes, lived to tell the tale.

Alumni, students and faculty continue to inspireDo you have a new job? A project that would be interesting to others in the profession? Reason to celebrate? A recent publication or presentation? Share it with the Faculty of Health Disciplines community by sending an e-mail to fhdnews@athabascau.ca.

Share your news! Submit a story! Let us know what you want to read about! Drop us a line and help grow and strengthen the Faculty of Health Disciplines community. Together, we’ll have the conversations that matter to you.

Invest in the future of health care by donating to student awards, research and scholarly activities, and learning resources. Learn more at giving.athabascau.ca, and donate online.

You are receiving this news brief because you are a member of the Faculty of Health Disciplines community. To unsubscribe or to change your e-mail address, please send us a note.

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News Brief SEPTEMBER 2017

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ChristinePhilbrick’sdaughtershelpcelebratemom’sachievement

AdrijanaD’Silvasharesherstory

Treasuring academic achievement with gold, silver For the second year in a row, the Governor General’s Academic Medals — awarded to the top graduate (Gold Medal) and undergraduate (Silver Medal) graduates at each of Canada’s universities — have gone to a couple of outstanding Faculty of Health Disciplines grads! ChristinePhilbrick(Post-RNBN’17)andAdrijanaD’Silva(MasterofHealthStudies’17)areinaclassbythemselves.Basedonacademicachievement,they’rethetopachieversamongAU’s40,000students!Gettingthenewswas“surreal,”accordingtoD’Silva.“EvenwhenIreceivedtheawardatConvocation,ittookawhiletosinkin.”Philbrickdescribesbeing“absolutelyshocked”whentheRegistrarcalledtosayshe’dwon,anddidn’trealizethemagnitudeofwhatshe’ddoneuntilshesawherdaughters’prideandexcitement.“I’masinglemomandworkedatafull-timejobandthreepart-timejobswhilecompletingmydegree,”Philbrickexplains.“Goingbacktoschoolafterbeingoutfor25yearsistough,butAUreallyfit.”AtravelbursaryenabledherandherdaughterstoattendConvocationonJune9,2017.“Thecertificate,themedal,theletterfromtheGovernorGeneral—allevenmorespecialbecauseit’sCanada’s150thyear—thiswillbeafamilyheirloom.”ForD’Silva,sharingherpersonalstoryatConvocationwasanhonour.“It’sonethingtogetanaward,butacompleteprivilegetobeabletospeaktoothers.It’sjustasgreatastheaward,”shesays.“Tobehonest,

Convocationwasabsolutelyoneofthebesttimesofmylife.”BothPhilbrickandD’SilvasayAUwasaspringboardtofurtherstudies.WhilePhilbrick,whoworksinStudentHealthServicesatNiagaraCollegeinOntario,hasstartedanonlineprograminmentalhealthandaddictions,D’Silvaisbuildingonhermaster’sresearchandisenrolledinPhDstudiesattheUniversityofCalgary.“PeoplesayI’vegrownexponentiallyoverthepastthreeyears,asapersonandaprofessional,”D’Silvasays.“Everythinghascometogethernicelytopreparemeforthenextstep.IfIdidn’tbelieveIcoulddoit,Iwouldn’tpursueit.ButthankstoAU,I’mconfidentIcan.”

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Seeking better pain assessment to improve the lives of nursing home residents with dementia People who can’t tell caregivers where or how much they hurt often suffer needlessly. Research led by Dr. Jennifer Knopp-Sihota aims to develop a groundbreaking new tool to help assess the severity of pain — and reduce that pain through better management. Asocietal“tsunami”isontheway.Thankstohighnumberofagingbabyboomersandlongerlifespans,arapidriseinthenumberpeoplelivingwithAlzheimer’sdiseaseandotherrelateddementiasisexpected. Peoplelivingwithdementiaalsooftenhavecomplexandchronichealthissues—stroke,depression,highbloodpressure,diabetes,heartdisease,cancer,othermedicalconditions—allofwhichcancausepain.How

doyoueasethatpain?Howdoyouknowwhatpainsomeonefeels,especiallywhenmemory,thinking,orientation,comprehensionandverbalcommunicationisimpaired? Dr.JenniferKnopp-Sihota,AssistantProfessorintheFacultyofHealthDisciplines,istheprimaryinvestigatoronathree-yearresearchprojecttobetterunderstandhownursinghomeresidentscommunicatetheirpain.Thegoalistodevelopanewtooltoassessandmanagepain—andreducesuffering.

“It’sestimatedthat80%ofolderadultswithdementiaarealsoexperiencingpain,”Dr.Knopp-Sihotasays.“Thiscanbedevastatingtotheiroverallqualityoflifeandmentalhealth,andit’softenassociatedwithaquickerprogressionofcognitiveandfunctionaldecline.”FundedinpartbytheAlzheimerSocietyofCanada,theprojectinvolvesacomprehensivereviewofexistingdatagatheredthroughtheResidentAssessmentInstrument(RAI),whichmostofCanada’snursinghomesusetomonitorthequalityofresidents’care.Whilethetooliseffectiveatidentifyingpainforpeoplewithoutdementia,itsusefulnesshasnotbeenvalidatedforpeoplewithdementia.“We’redoingacomprehensivereviewofexistingRAIdatasetsandtheirhundredsofbehaviourindicatorsinordertoidentifyRAIitemsthatcanbeusedasmarkersforpain,”Dr.Knopp-Sihotaexplains.“Oncethesemarkersareidentified,anexpertpanelwilldevelopafocusedlistofpainmarkersandanassociatedscale,whichwilllinkbehavioursalreadyintheRAItopainseverity.”

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—2—Oncethatiscomplete,thefinalandmostcrucialpartoftheprojectwillbeaclinicaltrial.BoththeRAIandthe“goldstandard”PainAssessmentChecklistforSeniorswithLimitedAbilitytoCommunicate(whichiscurrentlyinuse)willbeadministeredtoasmanyas100nursinghomeresidentsinAlbertaandOntarioinordertovalidatetheeffectivenessofKnopp-Sihota’snewscaleatmeasuringpain.“Thiscouldbeabreakthroughinpainmanagementinnursinghomes,”Dr.Knopp-Sihotasays,explainingthatthetrialwillinformthedevelopmentandimplementationofthenewinterventiontool.Itisalsoexpectedtospearheadworkshopstobedevelopedtofurthereducatecaregiversonmanagingpaininnursinghomeresidentswithdementia.“NursinghomescouldpotentiallyuseexistingRAIdatatoidentifyresidentswhosepaincouldbemanagedbetter,withouthavingtoconductotherassessments.Itcouldimprovecareforresidentsandhaveapositiveimpactoncaregiverstressandworkloads.“Forresidents,thiswillmeanlessdistress,”Dr.Knopp-Sihotasays.“Wealsoexpectthatfewerpeoplewillbeprescribedmedicationstheydon’tneed,becausetherootcausesofpainwillbetreated,insteadofthesymptoms.“Thisprojecthasthepotentialtosignificantlyimprovethequalityoflifeofnursinghomeresidentswithdementia—andgivegreaterpeaceofmindtofamilieswhoworryaboutthecareoftheirlovedones.”ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

‘Thiscansignificantlyimprovethequalityoflifeofnursinghomeresidentswithdementia—andgivegreaterpeaceofmindtofamilieswhoworryaboutthecareoftheirlovedones.’

Dr.JenniferKnopp-Sihota

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Congratulations to the Class of 2017! There is no happier day in the AU calendar than Convocation. On Friday, June 9, 2017, the campus was awash in a sea of smiles, tears, hugs, handshakes — and much-deserved pride. Congratulations, grads! You are truly the “class” of 2017. We hope AU will continue to be part of your academic journeys. ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

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World-leading awards, two years running Last year, Mariko Sakamoto (Master of Nursing ’16) received the top prize from the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology for her master’s thesis. This year, the Faculty of Health Disciplines doubled down: Karen Lara (Master of Counselling ’17) took home the IIQM top honour. Twomaster’stheses.Twotopprizes.Twoyearsinarow.TheInternationalInstituteforQualitativeMethodologyadvancesqualitativeresearchmethodsacrossdisciplines,recognizingworkthatexpandsandenhancesknowledge—andforthepasttwoyears,hascastthespotlightonAUstudents.

Seeingdementiafromayoungerperson’sperspective

Long-timenurseMarikoSakamoto(MasterofNursing’16)wantedtoknowhowyoungerpeoplewithdementiafeltabouthavinganillnessusually

associatedwiththeelderly.Shebelievedthisknowledgewouldinformnursingpractice.Expectingyoungpeopletoseehavingtheillnessdifferently,“Ilearnedtheirfeelingsarealignedwithwhatapersonofanyagemightexperience,”

shesays.“Therewasmorestigma,however,andthatreinforcedthatitcanbemoredifficultforayoungpersontohavedementia.”

“PerceptionsofPersonhoodandtheEarlyOnsetDementiaExperience”wasthetitleofSakamoto’saward-winningthesisandthebasisforanarticleintheMay2017issueoftheJournalofGerontologicalNursing.

SakamotoiscurrentlyworkingonherPhDattheUniversityofBritishColumbia.“Itwasadelightfulsurprisetoreceivetheaward.IrealizedhowmuchIenjoydoingresearchandalsobeingin‘nursemode.’IknewIwantedtodomore.”

ValidatingIndigenousresearchersandmethodology

ForKarenLara(MasterofCounselling’17),theIIQMawardaffirmsthevalueofIndigenousapproachestoresearch,whichshedescribesas“ofawayofbeing.It’saboutethics,relationshipsandwhoyouareintheworld.”RatherthanbeingfocusedonIndigenouscommunitiesandElders,LaraworkedwiththemonaprojectcentredonIndigenousjusticeandFirstNationsCourts.Theresultingresearchisn’thers,buttheirs.

“Thevalueinthismethodologyistranslatingresearchintopractice,intodirectandmeaningfulbenefittopeopleandtheworkofcounsellorsandprofessionalsinthejusticesystem,”shesays.“Participantssharedintheproject,areconnectedtoit,andareempoweredtotakeitforward.”

Believing“researchisatitsbestwhenithasarippleeffect,”sheisproudtheirworkresultedinavideoaccessiblethroughoutB.C.’scriminaljusticesystem.LaraiscurrentlyaclinicalsupervisoratanAboriginalhealthagencynearKamloops.

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AU’s Rising Star shines brightly Jennifer Jackson (Master of Nursing ’16) is passionate about empowering nurses to excel and is focused on researching organizational resilience. Receiving AU’s Rising Star Award recognizes what she has achieved already — and the positive difference she’s destined to make in the future. ThetalentsandachievementsofFacultyofHealthDisciplinesalumniandstudentscontinuetoinspire—andtoreflectthequalityofteachingandlearningatAU.TheFacultycouldn’tbemoreproudofthelatestawardrecipient,JenniferJackson,whoreceivedAU’sRisingStarAlumniAwardatareceptioninOlds,Alta.,onThursday,Aug.24,2017.MeetJenniferbelowandreadmoreontheAUnewswebsite.JenniferJackson(MasterofNursing‘16)celebratedfinishingherdegreebyfeastingwithherfamilyontheirAlbertafarm,andthenhoppingonaplanetoEnglandtostartherPhDatKing’sUniversityCollegeinLondon.She’sbeenthereeversince,researchingorganizationalresilienceinnursingwiththehopesofempoweringandeducatingfuturenursestoexcelintheirprofession.Jackson’sabilitytoseehealthsystemsfromabroadvantagepointhasbeenhonedthroughexperienceslivingacrossCanada,enablinghertoreflectonhowthecountry’snaturallandscapesimpactcommunities.FromthefisheriesalongtheEastCoasttothefarmsintheWest,“bylivingintheseplaces,I’vehadopportunitiestogetabetterunderstandingofhowlandandrelatedindustryinfluencesthewaycommunitiesareformed,”shesays.JacksonwenttoLondonarmedwithextensivenursingknowledgeandconfidencebuiltonherCanadianachievements—fromcreatingahospitalsocialmediacampaign,tospreadingbest-practiceawarenessindiabetesmanagement,tocompetingintheChicagoMarathon,toraisingsubstantialfundsfortheCanadianLungAssociation.TheresiliencyshestudiedincriticalcarenursinghelpedhertobecometheRisingStarsheistoday.Everytimeshefacesacrisisorchallenge,shehasbeenabletopause,reflectonthebiggerpictureandcomeupwithanswers,newwaysofexaminingthesituation,theworldandherplaceinit—andsolutions.

BREAKINGNEWSà RhondaLeeCrew(MasterofNursing’16)willreceiveAU’s2017DistinguishedAlumniAward.WatchformoreintheWinter2018newsletter!

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Our teachers are tops Bring together great instructors and great students, and you have the recipe for great success. Faculty of Health Disciplines faculty go the extra mile to ensure students have outstanding learning experiences. Recent award-winners epitomize that spirit and commitment. FivemembersoftheFacultyofHealthDisciplinesreceivedlocalandnationalhonoursrecently,reflectingthedifferencetheymakeathomeandacrossthecountry,toindividualstudentsandheathcareasawhole.

2017AUAwardforExcellenceinGraduateStudentSupervision:Dr.JeffVallanceTheAEGSSrecognizesexcellenceinadvising,monitoringandmentoringgraduatestudentsengagedinproject,thesesordissertationwork.Jeffwashonouredforhissuperiorsupervisoryandmentoringabilitiestointerest,stimulateandexcitestudentstomotivethemtoachievehighstandards.

150NURSESFORCANADA

TheCanadianNursesAssociationcelebratedCanada’s150thbirthdaybyrecognizingthecontributionsof150nursing

professionalsacrossthecountry.

InAlberta,Dr.Margaret

Edwardswas

recognizedforherkey

contributionstoestablishingwhatare

regardedasCanada’sleadingonlinenursingprograms,andherextensiveworkpromoting

nursingstandards.

InManitoba,Dr.Caroline

Parkwasrecognizedforherlife’swork

combiningteaching,researchadministrationand

communityservice.

ReadmoreontheCNAwebsiteandseethenextissueofNewsBrieffor

thenamesofAUgradsandstudentswhoareonthelist.

2017AUCraigCunninghamMemorialAwardforTeachingExcellence:AdrienneWeareTheCCMATE,namedinmemoryofarespectedAUfacultymember,recognizesexcellenceinteaching.Adriennewashonouredforherconsistentservice,excellenceinteaching,presentationsandinnovationinsubjectmatterdelivery.

2017AUPresident’sAwardforTutoring/MentoringExcellence:YvonneMooreThePATMErecognizesexcellenceininstructiontostudentsbyAUTutors.Yvonnewashonouredforherongoingcommitmenttostudentteachingandmentoring.

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Coming to a conference near you Advancing knowledge and practice doesn’t happen only through courses and research. Taking part in conferences is a prime way for faculty, alumni and students to help improve health and well-being. AU will be represented at some high-profile events. Drop by and say “hi” if you’ll be attending.

WorldConferenceonOnlineLearningToronto,Oct.16–19,2017TeachinginADigitalAge:Re-ThinkingTeaching&Learningisthethemeof

thisyear’sevent,whichisaprimeopportunitytoshowcaseAU’sleadershipinonlinelearning.TheFacultyofHealthDisciplineswillbewellrepresentedamongthepresenters’ranks:

§ LynnCorcoran,AnnetteLane,AdrienneWeareandBethPerry:OnlineTeachingandLearningforClinicalPractice:UsingSimulationinaMentalHealthNursingCourse

§ MargaretEdwardsandBethPerry:AuthenticityandEngagementinOnlineLearningAchievedThoroughThoughtfulFeedbackPresentedIntentionally

§ ShawnFraser,TerraMurray,SteveJohnsonandJeffVallance:AWeb2.0-BasedInterprofessionalMasterofHealthStudiesinHealthPromotionFocus

§ KimberleyLamarche:SocializedLearning-SocialMediaEngagementforGraduateStudents

§ KimberleyLamarche,CarolinePark,ShawnFraser,SusanMacKenzie:NormalizingMobileLearningthroughEvidence-basedStrategies

§ BethPerryandMargaretEdwards:TheImportanceofTeacherPresenceinCreatinganInvitationalEducationalEnvironment

§ KristinPetrovic,RoseSchroeder,JacquelineMann,AnnetteLaneandAdrienneWeare:EngagingPost-LicensureNursesinDistanceEducation:StrategiesandTheoreticalUnderpinningsforSuccess

§ GwenRempel,BethPerry,TatianaPenconek,andShawnFraser:From“boxtops”tothe“bigleagues”:Developingasuccessfulthesisprograminanonlineenvironment

AmericanAssociationforMarriageandFamilyTherapyAtlanta,Ga.,Oct.5–8,2017JeffChangwillpresent“HighConflictDivorceandParenting:CurrentInterventions”atthefull-daypre-conferenceinstitute(Oct.5)and“SupervisingTherapistsWorkingwithFamiliesinHighConflictDivorce:KeyIssues”ataworkshop(Oct.7).

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ReimaginingNursingEducation:InnovationsfortheFutureCalgary,Feb.21–23,2018

AthabascaUniversityisco-hosting,alongwiththeUniversityofCalgaryandMountRoyalUniversity.

7thInternationalNurseEducationConferenceBanff,May6–9,2018AthabascaUniversityissupportingthisconference,whichfocusesonresearch,scholarshipandevaluationtoensurenursingleadershipineducation,practiceandhealthcare.

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(L–R)DebFraser,BillDiehl-JonesandtheirdaughterwearmudandmedalsaftertheMudRun

ACTIVELIVINGCORNER

Tough mudders rise (wallow?) to the challenge Deb Fraser and Bill Diehl-Jones (both Nursing professors in the Faculty of Health Disciplines) have previously run half and full marathons. For a change of pace, they recently participated in the Manitoba Mud Run — and, as Bill writes, lived to tell the tale. Thephysicalandmentalhealthbenefitsofrunningarewidelyappreciated,andinNorthAmericamillionsofpeople‘lace-up’toparticipateinavarietyofrunningevents.DebandI(bothmembersoftheFacultyofHealthDisciplines)haverunseveralhalfandfullmarathons,wheretheterrainhasvariedfromflattohilly,includingtheinfamousHeartbreakHilloftheBostonMarathon.However,allofthesewereonterrafirma,andnothinghadquitepreparedusforthe5thAnnualManitobaMudRuninDauphin,Man.,onAug.12,2017.Spartanraces,toughmudders,electricdonkeysandmudrunsareallexamplesofagrowingtrend:theadventurerace.Ifyouarelookingforsomethingdifferentandwanttopushyourselfphysicallyandmentally,oneoftheseeventsmightbeforyou.Asyoumightexpect,theprimaryfocusofamudrunis…mud.Lotsandlotsofmud.Andmoremud.Fromrunningthroughcreekbeds,doingthearmycrawlthroughmud-filleddugouts,toscramblingthroughculvertsfilledwithprimordialooze,participationguaranteesthatmudwillliterallypermeateeveryporeandandarticleofclothing(notetoself:wearnothingyoueverwanttowearagain).Perhaps,forsomeofus,thisspeakstoourinnerchild;forothers,itisperhapsthenoveltyand/orbraggingrights.Inadditiontomud,oneistreatedtootherphysicallyandmentallychallengingtests,whichalsoincludedpullingtombstonesupahill,climbingoverEverest-esquehaystacks,wadingthroughmud-filledditches,swimmingsubmergedthroughicewater(thisservesonlytoredistributemud)andscramblingover,underandthroughavarietyofsadist-inspiredobstacles.Twohours,10kilometresand24obstacleslater,weslitheredourwaytothefinishline.Theonlycasualtieswerebruisedkneesandegos,aswellassundryscrapesandabrasions.Theoutcomes?Finisher-medalblingandmuddygrinsallaround(soremusclescomeasavalue-addedrewardthefollowingday).Sowhatisthemotivationtodoanadventurerace?Thereasonscanbeintrinsicorextrinsic,andthetypeofracehardlymatters.Attheendoftheday,itisaboutcombiningphysicalactivityandfun. ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

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Alumni, students and faculty continue to inspire Do you have a new job? A project that would be interesting to others in the profession? Reason to celebrate? A recent publication or presentation? Share it with the Faculty of Health Disciplines community by sending an e-mail to fhdnews@athabascau.ca. JenniferBeresnakMRC/AUBNandMNalumna

…isaclinicalnurseeducatorwithAlbertaHealthServicesinCalgary,intheareaofWomen’sHealth.She’salwayslookingfornew,more-engagingwaystoteachorreviewinformationwithstafffortheannualRNeducationday.Giventhewidepopularityofescaperooms(wherepeoplesolvepuzzlesorfollowcluesto“escape”froma“locked”room),sheandherteamsawtheformat’spotentialforteam-buildingandlearning—andTheEscapeWombwasborn.“Thiswasalabouroflovefromtheget-go,”shesays.“Ittooktimetothinkofdifferentcluestofind,puzzles/riddlestosolveandhidingplacesforimportantobjectslikekeysthatwouldopenaboxthatwouldholdthenextimportantclue,butstillkeeptheactivityconnectedthelearningthatneededtotakeplace.”Feedbackconfirmedthegame’seffectiveness,andthe16%“escaperate”proveditwaschallenging.Howdoesshebuildonthissuccess?WatchforAmazingRace:OBEdition.

KathrynBorowitzMNstudent

…tookamomenttoshareafewthoughts:“Truly,oneofthemostvaluablethingsthatIamgleaningfromthisMaster’sdegreeasawholeistheabilitytoimaginesomanynewandexcitingpossibilitiesformyfuturenursingpractice.Ineverwouldhaveimaginedaprofessionalpracticedoing(actual)researchandwritingjournalarticlesordevelopingproposalsforimplementinghealthprogramsinmycommunity.RegardlessofwhetherIwillchoosetoparticipateintheseventuresinthefuture,InowknowthatIamCAPABLEofthem.Itisfreeingandexciting,thoughdifficulttostopandappreciateinthethickofawork-intensivesemester.Itisnowonderthatcriticalreflectionplayssuchanimportantpartinournursingcareers!”

DanaBrowneMNstudent

…receivedaCIHRCanadaGraduateScholarship–Master’sAward,oneofonly400acrossCanada.Herresearchistitled“SocialNorm-BasedInterventiontoDecreaseSedentaryBehaviourintheWorkplace.”

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AdrijanaD’SilvaMHSalumna

…receivedtheGovernorGeneral’sAcademicMedal–GoldatConvocation,giventothegraduatestudentwiththehighestgradesatAU(readmoreaboutAdrijanainthisissueofNewsBrief).Themultiplescholarshipandbursaryawardwinnerhastwomanuscriptsfromherthesis—whichobjectivelyassessedactivityandsedentarytimeamonglungcancersurvivors,thefirststudyofitskindinthischallengingpopulation—underreviewforpublication,andhaspresentedherworkatprestigiousconferencessuchastheWorldCongressonLungCancer(December2016).She’scurrentlyworkingonherPhDattheUniversityofCalgary.

MargaretEdwardsDean,FacultyofHealthDisciplines

…wasinvitedbyQualityandQualificationIreland(QQI),thecountry’squalityassuranceregulator,tobetheexternalreviewerforthefirstproposedblendednursingprograminIreland.Thiswasanexcellentopportunitytoparticipateinadifferentreviewprocessandtogaininsightsintohowotherinstitutionsaremovingforwardwithonlinelearning.

TraciFisher-ZaiserPost-RNBNalumna

…celebratedwithfellowClassof2017graduatesatConvocationonJune9,2017,andisnowworkingasaManagerofCommunityServices.ShesharesafewwordsaboutherAUexperienceinthisissueofNewsBrief.

MelanieFullerMCstudent

…welcomedanewdaughter,Eva,inMarch.She’stherepresentativefortheFacultyofHealthDisciplinesontheAUGraduateStudents’AssociationandAU’srepresentativefortheCanadianPsychologicalAssociation(whereshe’salsothewebmasterfortheCounsellingPsychologysectionoftheCPAwebsite).She’sonhiatusfromherstudiesandfromwritingacelluloidpsychologycolumnforTheVoice,planningtoreturntoallinJanuary2018.

PatriceGordonMN:NPalumna

…continuestoinspireandtomakeapositivedifferenceintheworld,includingspendingtimeinKandahar,SierraLeoneandNepal—andmostrecentlyduringtheChilcotinwildfireinB.C.—wherehernursingskillsandcompassionimprovedcountlesspeople’slives.Neveronetoshyawayfromachallenge,shealsoappliedtobecomeaCanadianastronaut!ReadmoreofPatrice’salready-amazingstoryinafeaturearticleintheCastlegarNews,andcheckoutwhatitwasliketoworkonthefrontlinesoftheEbolaepidemicintheSpring2015issueofNewsBrief.

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CarolHuynhMCalumna

…wasinductedintoCanada’sSportsHallofFameinApril2017.Carolwonthecountry’sfirst-evergoldmedalinwomen’swrestlingatthe2008SummerOlympicsinBeijingandabronzefouryearslaterinLondon.SheisanassistantcoachfortheUniversityofCalgaryDinosWrestlingClub,NextGenerationcoachattheCanadianSportInstituteandPresidentoftheUnitedWorldWrestlingAthletesCommission.ShelooksbackonhercareerandtalksaboutreceivingthishonourinaCalgaryHeraldarticle.

DongwonKimPost-LPNBNalumnus

…receivedtheAthabascaUniversityStudents’Union(AUSU)PeterMacKinnonStudentServicesAwardinNovember2016,recognizingDongwon’scommunityleadershipandservicecontributions.HelivesinEdmontonwherehevolunteerswithmanyfestivalsandculturalevents,andalsohelpsalocalKoreantraditionalpercussiongroupgrowanddiscovertheirpotential.

Dr.AnnetteLaneAssociateProfessor

…servedasapanelmemberonthe4thAnnualBiennialHomelessnessResearchSymposiumhostedbytheCalgaryHomelessFoundation,April18–20,2017.Shespokeon“TraumaticStressandOrganizationalDynamicsamongHomelessSectorWorkers.”

MichelleLane-BarmapovMHSalumna

…tiedforfirstplaceforthe2017OutstandingMontessoriMaster’sThesisAward.ShewasalsooneofthekeynoteandlecturespeakersattheMontessoriAustraliaEarlyChildhoodConferenceinMarch,andakeynotespeakerattheMontessoriAsiaConferenceinHongKong.Youcanreadanddownloadherthesis,“Montessoriandautism:Aninterpretivedescriptionstudy”inAU’sDigitalThesisRoom.

KarenLaraMCalumna

…receivedtheprestigiousIIQM(InternationalInstituteforQualitativeMethodology)ThesisAwardforhermaster’sthesis,“RevitalizingRoles:TheInclusionofIndigenousEldersinContemporaryJudicialContexts”—thesecondyearinarowthatamaster’sstudentfromtheFacultyofHealthDisciplineshaswontheaward!ReadmoreinthisissueofNewsBrief.

Amy-CarolineMcClocklinPost-LPNBNalumnaandMN:Genstudent

…says:“Thankyoutofriends,familyandfaculty(youknowwhoyouare!)forthementoring,beliefandsupportwitheducationalandnursingendeavours.IwouldnotbewhereIamtoday,withoutyou.”Shecurrentlyworksfull-timeinRuralSurgery/PediatricsatDauphinRegionalHealthCentreinDauphin,Man.,andcasuallyatExtendicare-HillcrestPlaceinBrandon.,Man.ComeOctober,shebeginsanewjourneyinEmergencyNursing.

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Dr.SharonMooreProfessor

…wasinductedintotheCanadoreCollegeAlumniHallofFameinNorthBay,Ont.,inJune,recognizingthewideimpactofherresearch,teaching,publicationsandpresentationsfocusingonhope,aginganddistanceeducationteachingandlearning.ShecelebratedalongsideAUalumnaKellyCrawford,whograduatedfromtheMAISprogram.SharonhasalsobeennominatedfortheOntarioPremier’sAwardsintheHealthSciencescategory;recipientswillbeannouncedinNovember.

ChristinePhilbrickPost-RNBN

…receivedtheGovernorGeneral’sAcademicMedal–SilveratConvocation,recognizingherachievementasthetopundergraduatestudentatAthabascaUniversity.MeetChristineinthisissueofNewsBrief.

JananeeRasiahProgramDirector,BN

…receivedthe2017ARNETAcademicScholarshipforacademicandprofessionalachievementandpursuits.ThevalueoftheawardwasmatchedbytheUniversityofAlbertaFacultyofNursing.JananeereceivedherawardattheCARNAbanquetinCalgaryonMay18.

BrittneyTradewellMN:NPalumna

…joinedtheteamatAlbertaHealthServices’FamilyCareCentreinSlaveLake,Alta.,inJanuary.Brittneysaysitwasbusyblendingherstudieswithfamilylife—sheandherhusband,Scott,havea23-month-olddaughter—andcompletingherclinicalhoursatFCCwaswonderful.“Thenursepractitionersandphysiciansworktogetherreallywell;itwasaverypositivelearningenvironment.”

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