Dean's Message

Student Engagement Leads to Positive Results

In our recent Bachelor of Nursing program approval and Nurse Practitioner program accreditation, external reviewers commended our high calibre students for their active engagement, critical thinking ability and clinical reasoning skills. In this edition of the newsletter, you will catch a glimpse of the type of engagement that contributes to our students’ achievements and positive outcomes.

Our recruitment of students begins early, when Grades 5 and 6 students engage in the opportunity to experience aspects of nursing education in a university environment through the CanU initiative.

All undergraduate nursing students participate in interprofessional collaborative care activities to learn to work effectively in health-care teams. This was recently expanded to include a unique systemic oral heath initiative involving our nurse practitioner students.

We valued the student voice in our internationalization planning session. Students co-presented with faculty at an international research conference to disseminate important research findings. A delegation of undergraduate students contributed their voice at the national level with their participation in the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association conference. As well, a master's student was selected to participate in a women’s leadership development program.

I commend and thank our faculty and staff in offering innovative learning experiences for our students.

Interprofessional link between dentistry and NPs explored

Nurse practitioner students from the College of Nursing recently joined dentistry and dental hygiene students at the dental clinic on Bannatyne campus for an innovative new project in which patients were assessed for both oral and primary health care needs.

Click to read more. 

Empowering Parents

Sitting at a sick child’s bedside can be deeply worrying for any parent. Edmonton-based College of Nursing alumna Dr. Shannon Scott develops innovative online tools to help parents and caregivers make decisions in these stressful situations.

Read more in RadyUM magazine.

Interprofessional curriculum develops Rady Faculty students’ teamwork

When students who are future dentists, dental hygienists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and rehabilitation therapists work together on interprofessional collaborative care exercises and activities, they’re helping to break down traditional barriers between the professions and learning to work effectively in health-care teams.

All first- and second-year students in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences take part in the curriculum. For the 2019-20 academic year, 591 first-year students and 423 second-year students are involved in IPCC activities.

Click to read more.

CanU youth explore nursing careers

The College of Nursing recently welcomed 250 Grades 5 – 6 students from the CanU Inspire program who came to explore careers in nursing. 

Click to read more.

Martha Donovan awardees ‘exemplify leadership potential’ 

MN student Emily Hyde recently received the inaugural Martha Donovan Leadership Development award and will participate in two programs from the Asper School of Business Executive Education Program.

Click to read more. 

CNSA Conference

Eleven BN students from the Fort Garry Campus and 15 students from The Pas and Thompson campuses attended the Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) national conference in Montreal. With the theme of, “New Beginnings: Addressing Stigmas and Innovations in the Nursing Field," students had the opportunity to learn as well as contribute to the discussion on the issues.

One of the students, Cassandra Palidwor (pictured) from The Pas, was elected as regional director for the CNSA. Congratulations, Cassandra!

Trina Arnold

Congratulations to Trina Arnold, director of undergraduate nursing programs, who received the inaugural Martha Donovan Leadership Development award to participate in the CASN Leadership Retreats.

Rhonda Dube 

Rhonda Dube started as an instructor at the College of Nursing on Jan. 1. She spent the last 16 years in medical/surgical intensive care at St. Boniface Hospital as a staff nurse and educator, and has experience in palliative care, cardiology, medicine and cardiac surgery. She was also a teaching assistant in the College of Nursing for the past 13 years. 

Eleanor Hrabowych 

Eleanor Hrabowych retired from her position of senior instructor on Jan. 1. Eleanor enjoyed a 36 year nursing career. She was an invaluable faculty member for 19 years with a particular passion for preparing students for senior practicum. We wish her the very best.

Katie de Leon-Demare 

Katie de Leon-Demare returned to the College of Nursing on Dec, 1, 2019 after serving as an instructor and the coordinator of CPD, University of Calgary in Quatar for five years. Katie brings 12 years of experience as a lecturer, clinical instructor, assistant professor and coordinator in the Advanced Practice Nursing program with the College of Nursing with 14 years experience as an NP.

Lauren Ivonchuk 

Lauren Ivonchuk joined the College of Nursing as a student advisor on Jan. 29. She's worked at UM for the past eight years in the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. Her most recent experience as a junior academic advisor with the Faculty of Science and her excellent knowledge of UM registration and scheduling systems will be invaluable in her new role.

Fiona Jensen

Fiona Jensen retired from her instructor position on Jan. 1, having enjoyed a 42-year nursing career. Fiona provided exemplary service as a faculty member for 15 years and served as the interprofessional education coordinator. We wish her the very best.

Diana McMillan

Congratulations to Dr. Diana McMillan on being appointed the Health Sciences Centre Clinical Chair. In this newly created role, Diana will conduct research on clinical areas that align with HSC research priorities, provide research mentorship to nurses and students and support implementation of evidenced-based practice.

Elaine Mordoch 

Dr. Elaine Mordoch retired from her position as associate professor on July 1, 2019. Elaine’s 32-year nursing career was focused on the area of mental health. She provided 24 years of exemplary service in the College of Nursing. We wish her the very best.

Chris Scoville 

Congratulations to Chris Scoville on being awarded the Nursing Students' Association Teaching Excellence Award. Chris presented the keynote address at the Graduation Dinner in December.

Sonia Udod

Congratulations to Dr. Sonia Udod, who was recently appointed to the Board as the Canadian representative on the Association for Leadership in Nursing Science.

Janice Winkler 

Janice Winkler moved into the position of liaison librarian for Nursing and Family Social Sciences on Jan. 2. She has been with the U of M libraries for the past three years, most recently in support of the College of Medicine at the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library. Her work has included research support, information literacy, evidence based practice, knowledge synthesis, and student engagement. 

10th Annual Advanced Practice Nursing Conference

The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse in Mental Health Advocacy and Care

Presented by the Graduate Nursing Students Association, this is a free event open to anyone interested in learning more about the realities of advocacy in mental health care.

Speakers:

• April Gage, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority

• Elaine Mordoch, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

• Jesse Lamoureux, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority

Wednesday, March 4
5:30 – 9:00 p.m. | Marshall McLuhan Hall, University Centre, Fort Garry Campus

Click for details.