Nursing faculty among 2019 Peak Scholars

Congratulations to the four nursing faculty who were recognized as 2019 Peak Scholars in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Knowledge Engagement at the University of Calgary this year.

Each year, deans are invited to nominate scholars from their faculty who have demonstrated excellence in startup ventures, commercialization, knowledge or technology transfer, community engagement, social innovation or research collaboration. 

Peak Scholars has been held annually since 2014 and has now recognized over 200 scholars. For the first time in 2019, Peak Scholars nominations were open to postdoctoral scholars. 

 

Heather Bensler, Instructor, Co-director of Indigenous Initiatives

Indigenous Initiatives Connecting Nursing Students, First Nations Communities and the Broader Calgary through Community Engagement

As the Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Bensler engages students, faculty and most importantly Indigenous partners in creating meaningful programs that address community-identified needs. Through innovative means, Heather builds the faculty's capacity to implement the UCalgary's Indigenous Strategy and the TRC Call to Action specific to nursing education.

 

Eloise Carr, Professor

Enhancing the Lives of People with Chronic Pain Who Live with a Dog: The Human Animal Pain Interactions (HAPI) Network

Dr. Eloise Carr is the lead investigator for a new research network - Human-Animal Pain Interactions (HAPI). Their symposium 'Gone to the Dogs' brought together over 100 people representing researchers, community partners and the general public. In just three years, they have established a growing network of researchers, community organizations, patients and the public across North America and beyond that suggests living with a dog can bring health and social benefits for people living with chronic or persistent pain.

 

Sarah Dewell, Postdoctoral Associate

Linking Nursing Knowledge and Genomics through Innovative Education

Dr. Sarah Dewell connects nursing knowledge and genomics to enrich the implementation of genomic health care. Dewell has helped create a knowledge engagement hub which provides needed genomics educational resources within a Canadian health-care context and exposure to international genomic nursing education, research and practice.

 

Tam Truong Donnelly, Professor

Breast Cancer Screening Among Arabic Women Living in the State of Qatar

As the Lead Principal Investigator, Dr. Tam Truong Donnelly, (also an Adjunct Professor, Cumming School of Medicine) established large multidisciplinary research teams including colleagues from nursing, medicine, epidemiology and education, as well as partners from major Qatari institutions (Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Ministry of Health, Qatar Primary Health Care, Qatar Centre for Cancer Care and Research) to address health priorities in the Arab-speaking population in Qatar. One of her studies investigating breast cancer screening practices of Arab women has influenced health-care policy and delivery in Qatar and across the Middle East region. 

To find out more, check out the full UToday story in Nov. 18's issue and visit the research.ucalgary.ca website.