Tylenol PhD Award

My motivation to pursue nursing began as a young adult when my grandmother was admitted into a long-term care home, and I wanted to learn ways to support her complex medical needs. Even though my grandmother passed away shortly after I completed my nursing program, her death further motivated me to understand, value, and demonstrate the importance of a client-centred care approach for older adults. I value the complex medical needs, personalities, and life experiences of my clients as essential to my nursing philosophy when caring for them, especially those clients with dementia. 

In my current role as a nursing faculty member, I have had the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion in caring for older adults with undergraduate nursing students. I have also witnessed barriers for students with academic accommodation needs, especially those who have faced ‘mental health challenges.’ While my practice remains rooted in Gerontology, these more recent teaching experiences have influenced my research focus and motivated me to undertake research in this area. 

As a Ph.D. student in the School of Nursing at York University, my research explores academic accommodation in nursing and health education to further support greater inclusiveness. Despite balancing many roles, I fully embrace this opportunity to pursue my doctoral education and this important research. I am honoured and grateful to be the recipient of the Tylenol Fund to Advance Diversity in Nursing and Health Equity Research Scholarship in support of my doctoral journey.