Dean's Message

Celebrating Accomplishments in the Midst of COVID-19 

The exceptional work of leaders, faculty, staff and students amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in inspiring accomplishments. The innovative and timely strategies implemented to promote student progression and course completion has resulted in the convocation of 228 students from our Bachelor of Nursing program and 22 students from our Master’s and PhD programs in 2020.

We celebrated the achievement of accreditation status of our Nurse Practitioner program and being among the first in Canada with this distinction. The approval to proceed with the implementation of our new Bachelor of Midwifery program was received with enthusiasm and an immediate launch of preparatory activities. Despite the restrictions in conducting research during the pandemic, our researchers have been successful in securing significant research grants.

The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (RFHS) approved a policy on Disruption of all Forms of Racism. This policy, which is the first anti-racism policy in post-secondary institutions in Canada, further demonstrates RFHS and the College of Nursing’s commitment to creating an environment free of racism.

I commend our team of staff, faculty and leaders for navigating the challenges and uncertainties and look forward to their continued excellence in teaching, research, and support of our students.

Bear medicine at core of Indigenous nursing pathway

When the committee behind the College of Nursing’s Aboriginal Nursing Cohort Initiative (ANCI) decided it had outgrown its name, the group looked for a symbol to reflect the healing, strength and courage that are at the program’s core of providing support to Indigenous students interested in attaining a degree in nursing.

Read more on UM Today.

Nurse practitioner program among first to receive national accreditation

The College of Nursing is celebrating a significant milestone, as its nurse practitioner program was among the first in Canada to receive accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), the national voice for nursing education, research and scholarship.

Read more on UM Today.

New students experience unique orientation in 2020

Unlike years past when socializing and getting to know new classmates were the norm during orientation, first-year students in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences started their 2020/2021 school year in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry/dental hygiene and rehabilitation sciences with orientation activities and welcoming ceremonies in mostly virtual settings.

Read more on UM Today.

MCNHR End of Summer Celebration Video 

Watch a recap of MCNHR's End of Summer Celebration here. Thank you to all the staff, mentors, and students that made this possible!

Dr. Mandy Archibald, assistant professor of nursing and researcher with CHRIM, is principal investigator for “The experiences and perceptions of youth living with Type 2 diabetes mellitus,” which received $25,000 from the University Collaborative Research Program, and for “A systematic review of living labs in healthcare,” which received $10,000 from the University Research Grants Program.

Congratulations to Dr. Lynda Balneaves and Dr. Roberta Woodgate (Co-PIs) on being awarded the CIHR Catalyst Grant: Health Effects of Vaping of $100,000. Project: “Cannabis vaping experiences and decisions among youth and young adults in Manitoba (the CaVED Project)”.

Dr. Lynda Balneaves was also appointed as Adjunct Senior Scientist in the Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology with CancerCare Manitoba.

Congratulations to Dr. Sonia Udod on receiving the Research Manitoba COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant amounting to $99,876. Project: “The Healthcare Leader’s Role during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Integrating Crisis Leadership and Organizational Resilience.”

Congratulations to Dr. Kellie Thiessen on receiving the 2020 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Award, and the 2020 UM Merit Award for her outstanding research, scholarly work and creative activities.

Congratulations to Dr. Roberta Woodgate and her stellar research team on receiving a CIHR 2020 Spring Project Grant amounting to $1,296,676 over five years. Project: “Abinoonjees Nikanenim: Delivering Mental Health Services to Youth Living in Island Lake Anishininew Nations.”

She also received the SSHRC Individual Partnership Engage Grants (PEG) COVID-19 Special Initiative Award of $25,000. Project: “Finding Solutions for the Challenges Faced by Young Workers in the COVID-19 Era.”

Dr. Woodgate was also named a distinguished professor by the UM Board of Governors in recognition of outstanding distinction in research and scholarship and her exemplary teaching record, and was appointed to the UM Canada Research Chairs EDI Advisory Committee.