Spring Convocation - Students - University of Saskatchewan

J. W. George IvanyInternationalization AwardGerri DicksonThe J. W. George Ivany Internationalization Awardwas established by University of SaskatchewanInternational to recognize outstanding contributions by amember of the University’s academic or administrativestaff in furthering the process ofinternationalization at the Universityof Saskatchewan. The University isdelighted to honour, at the Spring2004 Convocation, Professor GerriDickson from the College of Nursing.Dr. Dickson received her B.S.N. andPh.D. from the University ofSaskatchewan and her M.P.H. fromthe University of Hawaii. She came tothe College of Nursing in 1986 with arich history of international and crossculturalwork, including communitydevelopment in the Solomon Islands,coordination of nutrition and maternalchild health projects in Papua, NewGuinea, and health worker educationin Mozambique.During Dr. Dickson’s 18 years at the University ofSaskatchewan, she has worked tirelessly to enhance theinternational and cross-cultural perspectives of facultyand students on campus. Dr. Dickson was instrumentalin the creation of the national Native Access Program toNursing in 1987, a program that has resulted in asignificant increase in the number of Aboriginal studentswho have become nurses. During her Ph.D. research, sheestablished a network of self-help groups for FirstNations women living with abuse.Dr. Dickson has delivered, in the University communityand far beyond, hundreds of lectures and presentationsrelated to health care in third-world countries. Throughthese, she has raised the profile of health issues in thesecountries, as well as health and social issues for FirstNations and Métis people.Dr. Dickson’s international workcontinues to have a substantial impacton health and development. Since1991, she has been involved in aCIDA-funded project that works tostrengthen STD/AIDS control inKenya. She also took a lead role insecuring CIDA funding for the Trainingfor Health Renewal Program, a hugelysuccessful project now in its sixth yearaimed at building capacity inMozambique and engaging theparticipating Canadian institutions inthe use of innovative approaches toeducation and practice of healthworkers. A unique feature of thisproject is the support and involvementof the health sciences programs at theUniversity of Saskatchewan, including participation offaculty and staff members in a collaborative, interdisciplinaryapproach to teaching and learning. Facultyand students from the University of Saskatchewanparticipate in the education programs of the Mozambicanproject site, as well as an inter-disciplinary health sciencescommunity practica in an inner-city neighbourhood.Through Dr. Dickson’s passionate work, she hassucceeded in engaging the University of Saskatchewanin important health-care initiatives at home and aroundthe world—showing us all what the spirit ofinternationalization can accomplish.University of Saskatchewan102004 Spring Convocation