University of Calgary

Unprecedented recognition

UToday HomeMay 7, 2012
Share |

Canadian Nurses Association award recipients Dianne Tapp (Order of Merit – Nursing Administration), Sandi Hirst (Jeanne Mance Award) and Nancy Moules (Order of Merit – Nursing Education). Photo by Riley BrandtCanadian Nurses Association award recipients Dianne Tapp (Order of Merit – Nursing Administration), Sandi Hirst (Jeanne Mance Award) and Nancy Moules (Order of Merit – Nursing Education). Photo by Riley BrandtIt’s National Nursing Week and the Faculty of Nursing is celebrating with the news that two of its professors will receive Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Order of Merit awards and one will be recognized with the highest honour CNA bestows on its members. There are six awards in total handed out across Canada; for one organization to receive three is unprecedented.

“We submitted four strong nominations, but knew we were up against talented and expert nurse researchers, educators, policy makers and clinical practitioners from across Canada,” says dean Dianne Tapp who received the CNA Order of Merit for Nursing Administration. “We are overwhelmed with pride and incredibly honoured that the selection committee acknowledged the amazing work we continue to do here at the University of Calgary.”

Professor Nancy Moules, who holds the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation professorship in Child and Family Centred Cancer Care, was named recipient of the Order of Merit for Nursing Education while professor Kathryn King-Shier was nominated for the Order of Merit for Nursing Research.

Sandi Hirst, associate professor and director of the faculty’s Brenda Strafford Centre for Excellence in Gerontological Nursing, is the recipient of the 2012 Jeanne Mance Award, arguably the most prestigious award given to a Canadian RN. Named for one of Canada’s most inspirational nurses, nominees must demonstrate significant and unique contributions to the health of Canadians with national and international work that has raised public awareness of the nursing profession and influenced the way nursing is practiced in Canada and abroad.

The awards will be presented at June’s biennial CNA conference in Vancouver.

CNA is now a federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 146,788 registered nurses.