News

Each year at the Spring Full Faculty meeting, the Faculty of Health Professions recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to academic and research excellence.  Congratulations to this year's award winners:

FHP Senior Research Excellence Award

Grace Johnston
School of Health Administration

Grace has been with the Faculty of Health Professions for over 25 years, and has been a dedicated researcher in the area of end-of-life studies.  Her career has focussed on identifying areas of improvement in access to care by using population-based health services administrative data.  Grace has recieved over $2.5 million in research and contract support as a Principal or Co-Principal Investigator and over $11 million in research funding in various other roles.  Additionally, she has published over 100 peer reviewed papers, has presented at national and international conferences, and conducted a number of knowledge translation activities.  She is a successful team builder, mentor and collaborator, and has also been a significant contributor to the Government of Nova Scotia, putting in place its first integrated strategic plan for palliative care.

FHP Early Career Research Excellence Award

Janet Curran
School of Nursing

Since joining the Faculty in 2012, Janet has excelled as a researcher in the areas of improving transitions in care for children and families and knowledge exchange and translation.  Through knowledge translation, Janet and her team have been instrumental in advocating for changes in practice and policy - most often in pediatric emergency care settings - that are having a real impact on children and families.

Janet is funded by CIHR, CFI, NSHRF and the IWK and has recently received the CIHR New Investigator Award and the Terry Klassen Young Investigator Award.  She is an willing mentor and supports her students and trainees in developing track records with presentations, publications and funding while also providing KT research design mentorship to community partners.

Academic Innovation Award

Brenda Sabo
School of Nursing

This new award recognizes an individual who has developed an innovative academic initiative that has resulted in a positive and sustainable impact on student learning.  Brenda, a faculty member for over ten years, is recognized for her academic inititatives that exemplify active learning, critical thinking and reflection.  More specifically, Brenda has used art to help her students and health care professionals reflect on their personal beliefs, roles and practice to more effectively help patients and their families faced with cancer and end-of-life concerns.  Brenda's research in this area is funded by the NSHRF and the Canadian Cancer Society and she has also collaborated on projects with the National Film Board and NSCAD.  Brenda's teaching has inspired her students, with one stating, "She has increased my knowledge and passion in the field of oncology and palliative care, which has directly influenced my decision to pursue a career with an oncology unit that also has end of life care."