Dr. Sherry Dahlke is a tenured Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta and an internationally recognized researcher and educator. The recipient for more than $300,000 in Insight Development and Partnership Development Grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, her program of research aims to enhance gerontological content and address ageism in Canadian nursing education. Professor Dahlke received the prestigious McCalla Teaching Professorship Award in 2019. A prolific author, she has published over 104 peer-reviewed journal articles and has delivered 34 invited presentations and 97 peer-reviewed conference presentations related to nursing practice, aging, and education. Most recently, Professor Dahlke has developed a series of ten cutting-edge, asynchronous online learning modules on older people’s care that can be integrated into undergraduate nursing curricula or used to supplement existing education. The modules, which are available at no cost through the Alberta Gerontological Nurses Association website and the “Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse” (an online resource hub), have already been adopted by several Canadian Schools of Nursing, including York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the University of Calgary. This remarkable achievement ensures that evidence-based gerontological education is available to both nursing students and practicing nurses nationwide and lays the foundation for further online educational resources for pre-licensure and practicing nurses. Taken together, Professor Dahlke’s innovative online learning modules and deep commitment to improving gerontological nursing education make her exceptionally deserving of the Canadian Association of School of Nursing “Excellence in Nursing Education” Award.

Louise-Andrée Brien is an Associate Professor (Clinical) and a Certified Canadian Simulation Nurse Educator. She has been actively involved in the development and integration of clinical simulations in nursing education for the past few years. At the head of the simulation program at Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Nursing, she actively contributed to the program’s accreditation by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as to the development of the  Centre d’Excellence en Simulation en Santé (Centre EXeSS), now recognized throughout Canada and the Francophonie for its innovation and best practices. Currently, the Centre EXeSS offers more than a hundred simulations of different modalities (mannequin-based, simulated participant, virtual simulation, interprofessional simulation, telesimulation), for the baccalaureate and graduate programs, as well as for professional development activities.

Well aware of the need for simulation to rely on solid pedagogical foundations, Louise-Andrée has been involved in various initiatives at the local, national, and international levels to train and support educators in simulation, particularly in Francophone contexts. She has actively supported the inclusion of the Francophone teaching community in the pan-Canadian project VirtuWIL/VirtuAIT, aimed at developing virtual simulations for future healthcare professionals. Louise-Andrée’s passion for teaching and simulation pedagogy is evident to everyone she collaborates with.

Dr. Norris is an internationally recognized researcher with a consistently strong publication and grant attainment record. Notably, she has mentored close to 100 students at every level. She presents her research worldwide and has over 460 peer-reviewed publications with an h-index of 54. She has been recognized throughout her career for her scholarly contributions, but also for her contributions to lay literature such as national editorials, CBC & CTV news, Good Times and Boomer magazines, and ‘Life in Hearts’ an e-magazine by and for women with heart issues. Her contributions demonstrate exceptional creativity in synergizing between her research program, leadership, mentorship and advocacy roles. Dr. Norris’ numerous special initiatives have resulted in important ground-breaking evidence

identifying the Sex and Gender Factors associated with outcomes of women’ heart health. Her research works epitomize the translation of “research-to-practice-to-policy”. She has been an influential leader as Scientific Director of the Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network in Alberta. She designed the nationally utilized and awarded (CIHR and CMAJ) APPROACH registry and was the first ‘Sex and Gender’ champion on the STEMI guidelines committee. Her work with the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance and the creation of the Atlas has changed the face of Heart Disease assessment and treatment for women in Canada. More importantly, Dr. Norris’ unique multidimensional knowledge mobilization approach of her research findings on the sex and gender factors associated with women’s health outcomes, are now being applied in nursing practice, education, health care services and policy development.

Dr. Sandra Davidson, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, FCAN, an award winning internationally and nationally recognized nurse leader, is the former dean of the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary. As of July 1, 2024, she became the Provost and Vice-President Academic of the University of Calgary, a testament to her longstanding academic administrative experience and excellence.

With a history of outstanding leadership in schools of nursing nationally and internationally, Dr. Davidson continues to demonstrate excellence through her innovative

strategies and vision and ability to work within significantly changing educational landscapes that present both challenges and opportunities. Her excellence shows in the ways that she navigates global, national, and local uncertainties regarding finances, health and health service issues, changes within educational systems, and changes in specific student expectations and needs. Dr. Davidson is known as one of the most innovative leaders across Canada in working to strengthen the quality of nursing academic programs, specifically though her work to enhance student experience, increase accessibility for rural and Indigenous students, strengthen long range institutional planning, and improve university operations.

Dr. Sandra Davidson is a visionary academic nurse administrator who works creatively, collaboratively, and with innovation and leadership expertise and finesse. She anticipates future forces, identifies emerging needs, and develops future-ready strategies. She has a proven record of successful implementation of innovative solutions and holds a deep commitment to nursing education that makes a profound difference in the discipline and fosters quality nursing practice that improves healthcare expertise and care delivery for patients and families.

Dr. Kathy Watkins is the Director of the Centre for Nursing Studies in Newfoundland and Labrador. Kathy has over 30 years’ experience in nursing education having taught at the diploma, baccalaureate, and masters levels. Actively involved in numerous academic, nursing, and health care initiatives, Kathy consistently promotes excellence in nursing education and nursing. Her leadership and contributions have spanned local, national, and international arenas.

Documents presented to support the nomination of Dr. Watkins makes her most deserving of the prestigious Wendy McBride Award for Accreditation Reviewer Excellence. Kathy has extensive experience as a CASN Accreditation Reviewer, including the review of an international program. She displays continuing interest in the work of CASN and participates in all reviews with enthusiasm. This sentiment was also visible in a letter of support where the letter writer described Kathy’s “strong analytical, organizational, and professional skills during onsite visits”.

A second writer supported the previous comments and commented further on Kathy’s “meticulously attending to fine administrative details while keeping the well-being of students, faculty, and staff at the forefront”. Important to mention are the well-rounded contributions of Kathy towards nursing education in Canada. A third writer stated, “ Her commitment to nursing education, including instruction, program design and delivery, administration, and student support has been very clear in each of her roles and is reflected in her effectiveness as a CASN reviewer”. It is without doubt that Dr. Watkins embodies the values of integrity, collegiality, and respect that make her a strong ambassador of CASN’s accreditation process.

Annie Chevrier, RN, MScA, CMSN(C), is an Assistant Professor at the Ingram School of Nursing. She is the Program Director of Online Education Initiatives and Continuing Nursing Education and is a member of the Faculty of Medicine Faculty Development Committee since 2013.

She obtained her Undergraduate [BNI] and Graduate Degree in Nursing [MScA] from McGill and worked in Advanced Practice Nursing roles within McGill’s Academic institutions. She holds a Certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing from the Canadian Nursing Association [CNA]. Since 2013, she is a full-time teaching faculty in the Undergraduate and Graduate Programs.  She holds leadership positions in National and Provincial committees of CASN, namely as co-chair of the Accreditation Board (CAB), and as treasurer and board member of the CASN Quebec chapter. She is the Past-President (2018-2022) of the Canadian Association of Medical and Surgical Nurses [CAMSN].

Throughout her career, both in clinical and academic settings, she has been focussed the support of nursing education and the development of the knowledge, skill and expertise required to address the complexities of providing high-quality care within interprofessional health care teams. Her on-going commitment to improving access to high quality nursing education have led her to become the academic lead and director of McGill University’s 1^st fully online undergraduate program which was launched in the fall of 2021. Her current focus is to support the development of initiatives that will enhance the clinical education components of nursing students in the undergraduate and graduate programs of the ISON, namely online programs to support the supervision processes of the clinical practicums.

Current research interests: Strengths Based Nursing and Leadership; clinical reasoning; Online education; simulation; and wound Care

Email: annie.chevrier2@mcgill.ca

Phone: 514-398-2105