Education, Awards & Memberships
EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION
a) Formal Education
PhD in Nursing - 2007, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Faculty of Nursing. - Specialization, physical and psychological consequences of sexual assault. Dissertation title “Understanding Women’s Risks for Injury from Sexual Assault”. Supervisors Dr. Janice Morse & Dr. Karin Olson. Methods: systematic review, structural equation modeling. Additional study related to posttraumatic stress and cortisol (Dr. Kathy Hegadoren 2001-2006) and knowledge utilization/evidence based decision making (Dr. Carole Estabrooks 1999-2001).
MN (Master of Nursing) – 1988, University of Alberta, Edmonton - Specialization, Acute care nursing & adult education. Thesis title “An evaluation of two suction techniques in relation to ICU nosocomial pneumonias”. Supervisor Dr. Phyllis Giovanetti.
BScN (Post-basic) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (with distinction)- 1985, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Certificate in Health Care Administration – 1983, University of Saskatchewan, College of Commerce, Saskatoon, SK
Diploma in Nursing -1977, Holy Cross Hospital, Calgary
b) Additional Course Preparation
Alberta Innovates Health Solutions – certification in Scientific Knowledge Mobilization, June 2013
Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) course (40 credit hours), Illinois District Attorney’s Lisa Madigan Training Program, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois May 2013
History and Philosophy of Science (GPNSG 920-55) – 2005, Duquesene University Forensic Program, Pittsburgh, PA
Clinical epidemiology: Decision Theory and Meta-analysis (EPI 6189) – 1995, University of Ottawa, ON
Sexual assault nurse examiner’s course – 1998, Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, AB (40 credit hours & 40 hr clinical practicum)
Meta-analysis and decision making theory- 1993, University of Ottawa
Forensic Nursing Institute – 1997, University of Virginia (40 credit hours)
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Current Certifications
Sexual assault nurse examiner of adults/adolescents (SANE-A). Conferred by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). Initial certification in 2002 (first Canadian certified), renewed every 3 years through continuing education and clinical competency validation. (2002- Dec 2024)
Registered nurse license. Conferred by the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) (June 1977-Sept 2019)
Scientific Knowledge Transfer Training certification. Conferred by Alberta Innovates June 2013
Prior Certifications
Emergency nurses’ certification Canada (ENC-C). Conferred by Canadian Nurses’ Association. Initial certification 1994, renewed every 5 years through continuing education & practice. (1994-Dec 2018)
Canadian Critical Care Nursing certification (CNA) – 1995-2001
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) – last renewed 2005
Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) instructor and course writer – last taught 2005
Emergency nursing pediatric course (ENPC) - taken 1997
Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing (CATN)- course coordinator until 2007 (& authored 2 chapters), 2nd edition 2014.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
a) Research Awards
2019 Nominee- Excellence in Research Award, College and Association of Registered Nurses (CARNA) - one of 3 nominees in province.
2018 Recipient-Knowledge Mobilization award, Mount Royal University, Calgary.
2017 National Recipient- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Difference Makers Award: 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health for research and teaching related to development and evaluation of a program to improve sexual assault services in rural/remote areas, reducing risk for mental health issues (http://give.camh.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=DifferenceMakers_150Stories_Arch ive )
2009 International Recipient - Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society – Research Dissertation Award “Understanding Women’s Risks for Injury from Sexual Assault”, USA
2008 REACH Award for research (individual), Capital Health Authority, Edmonton
2007 Achievement award, International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), USA
1997 National Emergency Nurse’s Affiliation (NENA)’s Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing Research
1988 Dr. McClure Book Award for Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Graduate Program, University of Alberta
b) Teaching Awards
2013 Top 25 Forensic professors- cited as one of the top 25 h http://www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/profs/forensic-nursing-professors
2007 Award for excellence in nursing education – College and Association of Nurses of Alberta (CARNA)
2000 Learning Technologies and Teaching Institute scholarship - Mount Royal College, June.
1998 Pan Canadian Summer Institute Scholarship ($2250) -internet course building
c) Service Awards
2013 Lifetime membership award for service to forensic nursing. Conferred by the Canadian Forensic Nurses’ Association (formerly the Forensic Nurses’ Society of Canada).
2008 Centennial Award, Canadian Nurses’ Association (1 of 100 in Canada for contributions to nursing in Canada in forensic nursing education, service and research)
2004 REACH award (co-recipient) for excellence in teamwork, Capital Health Authority, Edmonton
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Academy of Forensic Nursing (AFN) - 2019
NNVAWI – Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International, member since 2017.
CFNA – Canadian Forensic Nurses’ Association (previously Forensic Nurses’ Society of Canada). Co-founder (2005), past president, treasurer, awarded life membership. Member since Oct 2006)
WNRCASN – Western Nursing Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. Member since 2016.
IAFN - International Association of Forensic Nurses, member since 1998, member nominating committee, past chair education subcommittee, standards committee.
STTI - Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, member since 2000