2010 Merit Awards Recipients

Gaylene Molnar is the “nurse to know” when it comes to geriatric care in Saskatchewan, having greatly improved the quality of care for hospitalized elders throughout the Saskatoon Health Region.

Gaylene became program manager for geriatric and management services in the region in 2007. Through her work to develop a new model of care she has succeeded in raising the profile of geriatrics. Putting the patient at the centre, the model incorporates team clinics, a day program and in-reach and outreach, and utilizes a nurse practitioner.

Gaylene received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Saskatoon. She holds a CNA certification in gerontological nursing.

Alice Reid is a key leader in Canada’s Aboriginal health research policy development.

As part of a national dialogue initiative for the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health – where she participates as Métis knowledge holder, traditional teacher and elder – Alice’s work is critical in the development of a coherent policy for health research grounded in Aboriginal priorities.

In addition to her role as nursing instructor at Norquest College, Alice chairs the Family Sipisiw Foundation, which delivers programs that promote personal healing, cultural awareness and community development.

Ms. Reid earned a BScN from Avila College (Kansas). She is a member of the Alberta Registered Nurses Association and is certified in Kansas as a nurse practitioner in family practice. Gaylene received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Saskatoon. She holds a CNA certification in gerontological nursing.

As a clinician scientist, Deborah McLeod’s work in psychosocial oncology education in Canada is unsurpassed.

Recognizing a gap in this field of study, Deborah was instrumental in developing the first-ever Interprofessional Psychosocial Oncology Distance Education, with online courses that address the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and their families. Courses are now recognized for credit in 14 Canadian universities – a dream that became a reality, and truly an outstanding accomplishment.

Deborah received her undergraduate degrees in nursing from Dalhousie University. She holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Calgary.

Greta Cummings is one of nursing’s most outstanding researchers.

Greta heads the Connecting Leadership Education & Research Outcomes program at the University of Alberta, where she is investigating the development and use of leadership and coaching practices to improve outcomes for providers and patients in a variety of care settings.

Greta’s current research work focuses on areas significant to nursing practice, including examiningquality work environments, translating knowledge practices to improve pain management in children and those with cancer, and translating research in elder care.

Greta received her BNSc from Queen’s University, and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Alberta.

Retired from a nursing career that spanned over 40 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Gourlay re­mains active as CNA’s representative on the International Council of Nurses’ expert panel on entrepre­neurship in nursing, and works with the Canadian Nurses Foundation’s Nursing 4.0 fundraising campaign. She is also president of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Independent Practice.

During the 1990s, when Alberta’s nurses were feeling the full force of rationalization in health care, Betty launched one of the first indepen­dent nursing practices in Canada. She was instrumental in organizing groups of nurses in independent practice and collaborating to devel­op standards, policies and guidelines for independent practice.

Betty earned her BScN from the University of Alberta and a master’s in health science from McMaster University. She holds a CNA certifi­cation in orthopedic nursing.