2024 Order of the University of Calgary Recipient
Honorary Degrees and the Order of the University of Calgary Recipients
The Office of the Chancellor and Senate bestows two prestigious awards during convocation each term for people making an impact in our community and around the world: Honorary Degrees and the Order of the University of Calgary.
Barbara Shellian, BN’79, MN’83
Presentation – Wednesday, Nov. 13, 9:30 a.m. ceremony
Barbara Shellian is a visionary in nursing with more than 50 years of experience in the field. She has served in various roles throughout her career, including staff nurse, educator, manager, clinical nurse specialist and, now, director of rural health for Alberta Health Services (Calgary Zone).
As a two-time UCalgary alum, she has also remained an integral part of the university community, contributing as an adjunct assistant professor and as a member of the Nursing Community Advisory Council.
In addition to this work, Shellian co-chairs the International Council of Nurses’ rural and remote nursing network. She has held leadership roles in the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses; the Canadian Association of Rural and Remote Nurses, which she helped establish; and the Canadian Nurses Association. Her influence extends to the Government of Canada Ministerial Advisory Board and she is also editor-in-chief of the online Canadian Nurse Journal.
Among Shellian’s many accolades are the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, and the UCalgary Faculty of Nursing’s SPARK Award.