Fall 2021 Alumni Magazine Digital Copy

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I am delighted to connect with you for this year’s U of A
Nursing Alumni Magazine. For the next two years, I will be
acting dean in the Faculty of Nursing, and I’m looking
forward to getting to know more in our tight-knit nursing
community.
Some may not know that I am truly green and gold through
and through. I received my undergraduate, master’s and
doctoral degrees from the University of Alberta. To know a
little more about me, there is a quick Q & A in the pages
ahead.
More importantly, inside you will find a collection of stories
showcasing nurse innovators in our community who are
pushing the boundaries of science and compassion
through cutting-edge research. I hope you enjoy these
remarkable stories and share them with your friends,
family, and colleagues. The groundbreaking work being
accomplished by our alumni, faculty, and students is a feat
we must celebrate together.
This past year at the University of Alberta has been truly
unprecedented. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every
facet of our day-to-day activities — from how we conducted
research, to adapting to remote learning whenever
possible, and discovering how to effectively collaborate
from the safety of our own homes.
An institution-wide restructuring initiative developed in
response to financial pressures, the U of A for Tomorrow,
began last year and will continue well into the new year.
This brings many changes to the University of Alberta but
also to the Faculty of Nursing.
As of July 1, 2021, our faculty became part of the College
of Health Sciences alongside our colleagues in the Faculty
of Medicine and Dentistry; Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport,
and Recreation; Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine; and the
School of Public Health.
This new model is an opportunity to do more of what we
already do so well in our core mandate of research and
teaching: demonstrate leadership for the common and vital
purpose of promoting health, equity, and quality of life for
the public good.
The new college will allow for deeper collaborations and
mutual growth while maintaining our respective identities
that make each of our faculties unique.
This opportunity poses new and exciting
opportunities for our faculty.
Despite the many changes and challenges of the
past year, the Faculty of Nursing continues to
thrive due to your support. Because of you, we
continue to provide world-class teaching and
learning opportunities for our students and conduct
innovative research that changes the world for the
better.
As we move forward into this new year, we are
thankful to have the support of you — our alumni,
donors, and friends — alongside us.
Warmly,
Diane Kunyk
Acting Dean, Faculty of Nursing
Photographer: John Ulan
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