UNews - Health Sciences Researcher

Zieber earns Lipinski scholarship

trevor.kenney — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:08:47 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences researcher Em Pijl Zieber is one of two local registered nurses who have been named the inaugural recipients of the Wendy Lipinski Memorial Scholarship for Advanced Education.

Pijl Zieber was honoured along with Klaas Vanden Beld on May 8 at Chinook Regional Hospital. The scholarship serves as a memorial to the contributions of Wendy (MacFarlane) Lipinski, a registered nurse who practised for 18 years in Lethbridge and area. She died of cancer last December at age 59. It was established this year by the Alberta Registered Nurses Educational Trust (ARNET), with funding from Executive Links/Nursing Links, a Calgary provider of nursing education.

Executive Links owner Terese Fleming wanted to honour the nursing contributions of Lipinski, a lifelong friend, who had also returned to school as an adult student to take classes in fine arts at the U of L prior to her passing.

"I am a nurse myself and, if I was ever in a position where I would need to receive health care, Wendy was the type of nurse I would want caring for me," says Fleming. "She was such a kind and caring nurse, so gentle and patient."

Pijl Zieber and Vanden Beld receive scholarships worth a total of $5,000. They were chosen by an ARNET allocation committee on the basis of academic merit in their graduate-level studies.

Pijl Zieber, 44, teaches community health nursing theory and clinical courses in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She is enrolled in doctoral studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and has a special interest in nursing in marginalized populations. Prior to joining the U of L, she worked as an RN in remote communities, Vancouver's Downtown East Side and at Lethbridge College.

"It is fitting that such an outstanding educator as Em Pijl Zeiber receive the Wendy Lipinski Memorial Scholarship for Advanced Education," says Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Dr. Chris Hosgood. "We are dedicated to providing educators with opportunities for professional development and nursing students with an outstanding education, and wholeheartedly support Em's commitment to mobilize students to make a difference in their communities."

"It's an honour to receive this scholarship," says Pijl Zieber. "It will help me continue with my research, which is focused on how well nursing students are prepared for registered nursing practice. The nursing profession can make even greater contributions to the health of Canadians by enhancing community health clinical education and by mobilizing students to make a difference in their communities. That could have a positive impact on the health of everyone."

U of L's Kulig a wildfire expert

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:54:13 +0000

A team of researchers led by Dr. Judith Kulig, a Health Sciences researcher at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, has investigated the aftermath of wildfires -- such as the ongoing Slave Lake Fire -- to help communities rebuild.

Over the past decade, wildfires in Canada have forced nearly 700,000 people from more than 250 communities and caused massive amounts of financial, environmental and personal damage, including job losses, the loss of residents in a community, as well as lingering health and emotional challenges.

The group has developed a website to compile their research into one location for easy access by community leaders: http://www.ruralwildfire.ca

The research team, which includes members from universities in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Australia, have studied fires in Saskatchewan, and Alberta and British Columbia and have found that there are common elements which can contribute to increasing a sense of community resiliency in the face of large scale disasters, such as wildfires:

Key Recommendations for Decision Makers

Disaster Preparedness

· Develop memorandums of understanding with relevant agencies to ensure that during and after the disaster, arising issues are addressed and that lines of communication and authority are in place.

· Develop public education and disaster awareness that is appropriate for the community (e.g., having a livestock evacuation plan).

· Create an updated community disaster plan which identifies a back-up community that could assist and transportation plans for evacuations (e.g., use of school busses).

· Maintain up-to-date maps to locate all individuals that may need evacuation.

· Establish policies to determine if large gatherings planned for the time period of an evacuation or evacuation alert should be cancelled.

During the Disaster

· Develop communication strategies so that the evacuees are updated about the condition of their homes and community during the wildfire.

· Create effective coordination of all relevant agencies.

· Ensure adequate safety and surveillance procedures are in place for vacated property.

After the Disaster

· Collect economic, social and health data in communities that experience wild-fires for 5 years after the wildfire and then every 10 years for 3 more decades.

· Develop temporary programs for the school-aged population to help them deal with the ongoing issues associated with the wildfire.

· Provide long-term mental health/community change facilitation for all commu-nity members.

· Provide financial counseling for families.

Fostering Community Resiliency

· Providing opportunities for local residents to gather and reflect on the disaster experience thereby building their networks and developing opportunities for interaction.

· Organize celebrations to provide avenues for social support while also creating a sense of belonging and community.

· Provide support for local leaders and develop mechanisms to create the next generation of leaders within the community.

Complete study results are available on the rural wildfire website: http://www.ruralwildfire.ca

U of L Health Sciences Researcher Among YWCA Lethbridge Women of Distinction Award Recipients

trevor.kenney — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:30:41 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences researcher Dr. Bonnie Lee joins Lethbridge College president Tracy Edwards, special needs supporter and community volunteer Nadine Chandler and addictions/recovery advocate Mallory Kristjanson, the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction, as recipients of the 2010 Women of Distinction Awards.

Brief biographies are outlined below.

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony 2010 will be held on Friday, March 19 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge. The Master of Ceremonies is Kaella Carr, CTV reporter and Young Woman of Distinction 2009.

The guest speaker is Tara-Jean Popowich, winner of the 'So You Think You Can Dance' Canada competition 2009.

Please call 329-0088 or stop by the YWCA for your tickets ($75 with a $50 tax receipt).

YWCA Women of Distinction Awards recognize outstanding women who live and work in Southern Alberta. This year four women have been selected.

Through a competitive process, the honourees are chosen from a group of nominations. The awards are based on the candidate's accomplishments, commitment and leadership. It is important for the YWCA to recognize these accomplishments on an ongoing basis.

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony is a wonderful venue to showcase the talent and leadership of women in Southern Alberta. Women honoured have been trail blazers, entrepreneurs, innovators, social advocates, and volunteers.

BONNIE LEE

Bonnie Lee, Ph. D. of Lethbridge is 2010 YWCA's Woman of Distinction in the Spirit of Women category.
Bonnie¹s experiences as a global citizen took her from Singapore where she was born to nine other cities in Asia and North America before locating in Lethbridge in 2005. The positive influence of her mother and early education with the Maryknoll Sisters in Hong Kong is reflected in her values and sense of purpose.

Her undergraduate degree in English Literature is from Smith College, Massachusetts and her Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa.

Bonnie's life and career have gone through numerous metamorphoses: speech-language pathologist, marriage and family therapist, Unitarian Universalist minister, and now: professor and researcher at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

One theme remains constant, her dedication to draw out people's innate gifts through creating supportive relationships. Her research and clinical contributions using "couple relationship" to work on problem gambling and other addiction issues are gaining recognition nationally and internationally.

In spite of a major loss in her life, Bonnie's zest for living and learning remains strong as she enjoys close relationship with her two adult children. Since moving to Lethbridge, she has grown to love the land and skies of Southern Alberta that inspired her paintings which express her connection to nature and the earth.

NADINE CHANDLER

Nadine Chandler of Lethbridge is YWCA's Woman of Distinction in the Social Advocate category. Nadine is a pioneer in the integration of special needs students into the public schooling system.

What began as "looking after the interests of her own child" grew to be an international norm in the field of education. She is a role model and a leader in prevention and intervention programs in Lethbridge and all of Alberta.

She grew from being a new mother who reached out for support and education about what was best for her son, to being a visionary and advocate in equality education for children with special needs, a support to other mothers, a resource to teachers, administration and support staff, and a coach and friend to young women with special needs.

While others may have ceased this level of involvement when their child graduated from high school, Nadine has continued to give, staying current of the latest knowledge in the field of special needs, coaching for the Special Olympics and volunteering in organizations that serve the needs of adults with disabilities.

TRACY EDWARDS

Dr. Tracy L. Edwards of Lethbridge is our Woman of Distinction in the Community Commitment category. Originally from Ontario, Tracy worked fifteen years for the Nova Scotia Community College before moving to the United States to pursue doctoral studies.

She has twice been designated as a Kellogg Fellow and is the recipient of numerous scholarships and leadership awards. She was recognized in 2007 as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Community College Leadership program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Texas at Austin.

Tracy holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Saint Mary's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Halifax and her doctorate is from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Texas at Austin, with a specialization in community college leadership.

She has been the President of Lethbridge College since July of 2005. Tracy and her husband reside in Lethbridge and are the proud parents of four grown children and doting grandparents to five grandchildren.

MALLORY KRISTJANSON

Mallory Kristjanson of Lethbridge is YWCA's Young Woman of Distinction in the Turning Point category.

Mallory was born June 30, 1986 in Lethbridge and attended Wilson Middle School and graduated from Winston Churchill High School. She is deeply involved with a recovery program and sponsors women of all ages through their journeys.

She has volunteered with the Lethbridge Regional Hospital in the pediatrics ward, at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, working directly with inmates struggling with addiction and other problems; and as a server at the Soup Kitchen.

Mallory loves walking her dog, Timber, in the Old Man River bottom, writing songs, journaling, Hip Hop dancing and swimming. To stay grounded and spiritually filled, she attends the Celebrate Life Recovery Service at Central United Church in Calgary weekly.

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony 2010 will be held on Friday, March 19 starting at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge.

Master of Ceremonies is Kaella Carr, CTV reporter and Young Woman of Distinction 2009.

Guest speaker is Tara-Jean Popowich, winner of the 'So You Think You Can Dance' Canada competition 2009.
Please call 329-0088 or stop by the YWCA for your tickets ($75 with a $50 tax receipt).

Please feel free to contact Barbara Pittard, Chair: Women of Distinction Committee at 320-2912 or btpittard@shaw.ca if you have any questions.

UNews - Health Sciences Researcher

Zieber earns Lipinski scholarship

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