Dear Faculty of Nursing Alumni,

Another September has begun, and we are excited for the energy and vitality of a new year, though this year looks substantially different than past years. As COVID-19 continues to change the way we live and work, we are adapting our courses and educational practices to meet this moment -- and this year, our world-class research is more important than ever in building and supporting safe and healthy communities.

We know you too are adapting in your practice, your professional work, your families, and your lives as COVID-19 impacts us all. We'd love to hear about the work you're doing to support our communities under a changing world.

Thank you for all your continued support of our Faculty. We couldn't do our work without you.

Sincerely,

Greta Cummings, Faculty of Nursing Dean, PhD, RN, FCAHS, FAAN

On behalf of the Alumni Board:

"I’d like to welcome you to another year with the Faculty of Nursing and the broader alumni family. Being involved with the Faculty makes me remember why I became a nurse and has helped me feel connected to a program that gave me so much. UAlberta Nursing is one of the best in the world and challenges each of us to think differently, do better, and be courageous in making the right decisions for the patients and families we take care of. We're so excited to welcome a new group of students to our alumni family with the start of a new school year." — Kate Young, BScN '07, Alumni Board Chair

Alumni Week(end) || Campus to Couch Edition

Though COVID-19 prevents us from celebrating our grads in person this year, we’re keeping our September tradition alive by bringing Alumni Weekend to you — wherever you are!

For the week of Sept. 21-27, 2020, we’ll be bringing you exclusive digital content straight to your device’s screen. You’ll find an exciting lineup of live virtual lectures, tours, family-friendly content and more! Get your full fix of campus, all from the comfort of your couch.

This exclusive content will only be available during Alumni Week(end) until Sept. 30, 2020. Check out the full content listing.

WEBINAR || Epidemic and Pandemic Nursing in Alberta: Our Past and Present

The Faculty of Nursing presents a thought-provoking webinar featuring Dr. Pauline Paul & Dr. Shannon MacDonald to kick off FoN's Alumni Week(end)!

Dr. Paul will highlight key moments influencing the development of nursing in Alberta, including how past epidemics/pandemics influenced change; Dr. Shannon MacDonald will discuss how the current COVID-19 pandemic highlights the critical role of nurses now and moving forward.

Moderator: Dr. Jeanne Besner, health care change catalyst

Greetings and remarks: Dr. Greta Cummings, Dean, Faculty of Nursing

Details: September 22, 2020 | 2 PM

Register Now

VIRTUAL PANEL || Pandemic Perspectives: What we’ve learned from COVID-19

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Alberta’s world-class researchers and scholars have been actively engaged in efforts to limit the spread of the virus, help local and global communities and find a cure.

Join a panel of UAlberta experts from the faculties of Medicine & Dentistry, Nursing and Public Health as they discuss the lessons we’ve learned from COVID-19, why UAlberta is uniquely equipped to respond to the pandemic, and how our knowledge is helping reimagine systems, structures and policies for a better future.

Panelists: Dr. Lorne Tyrrell, OC, AOE. Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. '64 BSc, '68 MD; Dr. Lynora Saxinger, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry; Dr. Carole Estabrooks, OC. Faculty of Nursing. '87 MNurs, '97 PhD; Dr. Dean Eurich, School of Public Health. '03 MSc, '07 PhD

Moderator: Dr. Lawrence Richer, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. '92 BSc(Hons), '96 MD, '09 MSc

Time: Sep 23, 2020, 07:00 PM in Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Register Now

What Will Your Legacy Be?

The University of Alberta is embarking on a new period of transformation and the needs of students are changing. Learn how alumni are including philanthropy in their estate plans to positively impact the lives of future UAlberta students.

Did you know that a charitable bequest can offer unique tax savings for your estate? Or that life insurance can be used to create bursaries for students? Join us for a discussion with Wanda Fawcett BA’88 LLB’91 of Bishop & McKenzie LLP who will share simple estate planning strategies that will create brighter futures for students.

Leave a Legacy. Change Lives.

Register Now

WEBINAR || Joint Immunize Canada and CANVax Webinar Series: Dr. Shannon MacDonald

The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of schools across Canada resulted in disruption to the delivery of school immunization programs. This interactive webinar will address the following critical questions:

What has been the impact of the pandemic on school vaccine delivery and uptake
What is being done to complete interrupted vaccine schedules?
What are the plans to deliver school immunization programs in the coming school year?

This webinar will present an overview of the impact of the pandemic and the response in the various provinces and territories, followed by an open forum for participants to discuss current challenges facing school immunization programs and share ideas on how to overcome them. REGISTER NOW

Alumna Spotlight || Angela Shum

Registered Nurse Angela Shum (BScN ‘93) recommends the use of a music psychotherapy technique to nurture self-compassion and enhance the psychological well-being of nurses. READ MORE

Faculty Spotlight || Dr. Matthias Hoben

Continuing Care under COVID: Addressing caregiver distress, anxiety, and other unintended consequences of pandemic response.

Dr. Matthias Hoben studies how the pandemic is impacting family/friend caregivers of older adults in Designated Supportive Living settings.READ MORE

Student Spotlight || Grace Irving

Grace Irving is a fourth-year Faculty of Nursing student at the University of Alberta and the Nursing Undergraduate Association's (NUA) new president for the 2020-2021 academic year. Get to know her a little better and learn what's in store for the Fall 2020 semester for undergraduate students through this Q & A. READ MORE

FOLIO || Five U of A researchers named to Royal Society of Canada

Leading experts in chemistry, elder care, space physics, behavioural epidemiology and design join the ranks of Canada’s most prestigious scholarly institute, including our very own Dr. Carole Estabrooks!

Dr. Estabrooks is advocating for better elder care: “This induction into the Royal Society carries a great deal of meaning for me, as it is recognition of my life's work and a new opportunity to engage with a society of similarly honoured scholars, which can only enrich my scholarly life."

Congratulations, Dr. Estabrooks!!! READ MORE

Remembering Nursing Legend, Dr. Shirley Stinson

Shirley Stinson was a force in the profession of Nursing: a visionary leader, a committed teacher, a trailblazing researcher, & a globally recognized administrator & consultant. Her contributions have done nothing short of changing the face of nursing here in Canada & improving the standards of patient care across the world. READ MORE

FOLIO || Longer bereavement leave needed for employees

Outdated Canadian labour laws need to reflect new evidence on how deeply grief affects us, says UAlberta Faculty of Nursing researcher Dr. Donna Wilson. READ MORE

GREEN & GOLD DAY(S) || Let's Celebrate!

Green and Gold Day is the U of A's premier school spirit event, celebrating the people who make the U of A the vibrant, involved and innovative community that it is—students, faculty, staff and alumni. Although the format will be different this year, the spirit of lifting each other up remains more essential than ever.

This year's celebration features online activities that uplift and connect the university community near and far. LEARN MORE

UAlberta Virtual Book Club

Book-lovers unite! (Online, that is.)

Introducing the UAlberta Virtual Book Club. Connect with an online community to read and discuss a variety of engaging books of genres ranging from novels to memoirs, social justice to personal growth, and more.

The UAlberta Virtual Book Club is open to all members of the University of Alberta community — alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends — located anywhere in the world. As long as you have an internet connection, a comfortable place to sit and a love of reading, you’re in!

There’s no cost to join, all you need are the books. Whether you borrow a copy from the library, download it to your tablet, or get a print copy from the UAlberta Bookstore, the format is up to you. SIGN ME UP

MOOC || Popularity Surges for Online Course Offering Indigenous Perspectives, especially from celebrities

New students are flocking to the Indigenous Canada MOOC to help understand systemic racism and social inequities, say experts behind the course. READ MORE

FOLIO || Why remote learning takes new ways of thinking

Students and teachers “will have to be more mindful of how they think, not just what they think,” says U of A education expert who offers advice to make the shift easier. READ MORE