Winter 2023 - 2024
A message from the dean
Whether you are a recent or long-standing graduate, thank you for your ongoing support to the Faculty of Nursing.
As I reflect on this past year I am filled with gratitude and inspired anew by our collective successes.
As alumni, your willingness to share your expertise, insights and mentorship with the next generation of nurse leaders ensures they are prepared to address the diverse needs of the communities they will serve with compassion and innovative health-care solutions.
I encourage you to review the stories and highlights in this year’s alumni magazine, U of A Nursing, to reflect on the wisdom shared and to embrace the academic and research journeys you’ll travel.
With my tenure as dean coming to an end, I am pleased to welcome Shannon Scott as acting dean effective Jan. 2. I am confident Shannon’s exceptional leadership experiences and extensive knowledge of our faculty community will lead us to new shared successes and strengthen our mission, values, priorities and excellence in nursing research, education and clinical practice.
With sincere gratitude,
Greta G. Cummings
’86 MEd, ’03 PhD
Dean, Faculty of Nursing
University of Alberta
In this issue
We are immensely proud of our alumni community and invite you to review the stories and highlights in this year’s publication.
Paging doctor nurse
There is a critical need for PhD-educated nurses to conduct important research and educate the next generation of health-care professionals.
Features Morgan Wadams, ’15 BScN, ’23 PhD; Harkeert Judge, ’15 BScN, ’23 PhD; Greta Cummings, ’86 MEd, ’03 PhD; Diane Kunyk, ’78 BScN, ’02 MNurs, ’11 PhD; and Samantha Louie-Poon, ’16 BScN .
Faster findings for older adults
The speed of research can mean a decade or two. But not always. Meet some researchers who are putting evidence-based best practices into action — fast.
Features Carole Estabrooks, ’87 MNurs, ’97 PhD; Wendy Duggleby, ’90 MNurse; and Hannah O’Rourke, ’08 BScN(Hons), ’15 PhD.
Minor patients, major research
Meet a couple of researchers who identify problems, develop solutions and spread best practices in pediatric nursing.
Features Shannon MacDonald, ’93 BSc, ’13 PhD; and Shannon Scott, ’06, PhD.
With the future in mind
Expert on women’s health in rural and remote communities wants to ensure research continues into often-neglected topic.
Features Beverly Leipert, ’02 PhD.
Far horizons
How one RN took a winding path to places she never expected.
Features Carmel Montgomery, ’07 MNur, ’20 PhD.
The impossible right thing
Expert offers tips on dealing with moral distress.
Features Sadie Deschenes, ’12 BScN, ’17 MNurs, ’22 PhD.
Alumni wisdom
Alumni Honour Award: Reagan Bartel
Bartel, ’04 BScN, ’19 MPH, ’19 GradCert(ComDiseases), says her “nurse brain” helps her lead health services for the Métis Nation of Alberta.
Alumni Honour Award: Mona Lisa Bourque Bearskin
Bearskin, ’95 BScN, ’07 MN 2007, ’14 PhD, on how witnessing loved ones subjected to racism in hospital shaped her life’s work.
Alumni Horizon Award: Hannah O’Rourke
O’Rourke, ’08 BScN(Hons), ’15 PhD, blends science with clinical practice to make life less lonely for people living with dementia.