Dr. Ann C Beckingham Award
As a second year PhD student at the University of Toronto, I hope to be a key contributor to the body of knowledge and literature linking nursing care to patient outcomes and quality healthcare. I am particularly interested in examining, through a nursing lens, patient trajectories though the system rather than focusing on individual illness events. My doctoral research examines the influence of health services utilization patterns on patient outcomes for individuals with neurological conditions receiving home care. By developing a greater understanding of relationships between health services use and outcomes such as falls, institutionalization and mortality, we can help support patients in their communities longer through more effective allocation of health care resources.
I am also passionate about the value of collaboration and leadership as a way to change and improve our healthcare system. As a result, I am actively engaged in leadership positions on campus both within nursing and interprofessionally. As the President of the Graduate Nurses’ Student Society I collaborate with the leadership team to develop and facilitate programs and events that contribute to a supportive collegial atmosphere in the faculty of nursing. Through my work as President of the U of T Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School Chapter I work in partnership with students from across the health disciplines to provide opportunities for student to learn about and practice quality improvement. I also enjoy working as a teaching assistant at the faculty for Master’s level courses in health policy and quantitative research.
In my “real life” I love spending time up North, cooking, running or reading a good (pleasure) book. Nothing beats the relaxation of a hot cup of coffee and a good book while looking out over Georgian Bay. The financial support receiving the Ann Beckingham Award will allow me to spend more time focusing on my research and my service while still having time to have a “real” life. Thank you again for both your generosity and your support.
