Faculty of Nursing professor and researcher named 2020 Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Fellow

Dr. Norris continues to advocate for women’s heart health while advancing the science of sex and gender health care through her new role as a fellow for the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). (Photo: Supplied)

For decades, Faculty of Nursing professor, researcher, and Scientific Director for the Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network (SCN) Dr. Colleen Norris has been the final word on women's heart health. 

Dr. Norris’ support for patients with coronary artery disease traces back to her days as a PhD student in Epidemiology at the University of Alberta. Her doctoral work enabled her to design and direct the follow-up evaluation of the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) — a province-wide clinical data collection initiative that captures all patients undergoing cardiac catheterization in the province of Alberta.

Through her work, Dr. Norris realized all prior heart health research lumped women in with men, despite women consistently reporting worse health outcomes than men. A CIHR new investigator award enabled her to focus on understanding sex and gender differences in cardiovascular outcomes. 

Despite a global understanding that the presentation, treatments and outcomes of cardiovascular diseases are known to be different between men and women, women continue to be under-diagnosed, under-treated, under-supported and under-researched. According to The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, two-thirds of research into heart disease and stroke is based on cases involving men. More importantly, women are under-aware that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada. 

Dr. Norris continues to advocate for women’s heart health while advancing the science of sex and gender health care through her new role as a fellow for the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). She hopes her new role as a CAHS fellow will make a continued impact on Women’s heart health. 

What expertise will you bring to your new role? 

As Chair of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) Health Policy and Services working group, I collaborate with national and international scientists to implement policies that advance our understanding of sex and gender factors affecting women’s heart health. In my leadership role with the CWHHA, and as a CAHS fellow, I have the experience and expertise to:  

1. Lead evidence-based assessments of the challenges facing women with heart health issues requiring multi-disciplinary expert research and analysis; 
2. Seek the support of stakeholder sponsors who share a concern on this critical health challenge affecting all Canadians; and 
3. Collaborate with a network of experts including patients and families, professionals, health system leaders, and policy-makers, to advocate for and publicize actionable options. This will ensure women are treated equitably in research and disease prevention and, importantly, have equal access to patient-centred healthcare and treatments

One facet of closing women’s equity gap in health research and moving towards equal access to healthcare/treatment is ensuring that sex and gender are considered in all aspects of clinical care. As a CAHS fellow, I will ensure that all healthcare stakeholders, nationally and internationally, access validated evidence on women’s heart health and advance the development of collaborative solutions to address the major gaps in women’s heart health in Canada and beyond.  

Being inducted into CAHS as a Fellow is considered one of the highest honours within Canada’s academic community. What does it mean to you?

I am so proud of the steps we’ve taken in putting women’s heart health forward on a national/international stage. I am fully aware that I would not be where I am today without the mentors and colleagues that have brought me to this award. Being awarded this fellowship means that the academic community not only recognizes the importance of women’s heart health but also acknowledges the value of having a sex and gender scientist in the academy.

What academic aspirations do you have for the future? 

My aspirations are to train the next generation of women’s heart health clinician-scientists and to advance the science of sex and gender health care. 

This year, WHO Designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. What does this mean to you?

The fact that this year has been recognized as the year of the Nurse and Midwife has made me reflect on my roots that remain firmly planted in Nursing. The biopsychosocial model that I was taught in Nursing, what I have come to recognize as my ‘Nursing lens’ continues to be the framework for everything I do. 

Nurses bring a unique understanding of health care issues and possess the essential skills necessary to inform and truly shape the ever-changing health care system. Healthcare issues like access, quality, costs and value can only be solved by ensuring Nursing is at the table. 

Given the current climate of the provision of health care, it is more important than ever to use the WHO designation to remind us all of the incredible impact of Nursing on the health and wellness of society.  

Dr. Colleen Norris is a researcher and educator at the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing, the School of Public Health, and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.