UOIT/DC Collaborative Nursing faculty member wins prestigious educational award

OSHAWA, ONTARIO  – The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College (DC) are pleased to announce Leslie Graham, a faculty member in the Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Honours program, has been recognized with the 2014 Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education by the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN).

The award is presented to a college faculty member teaching in a collaborative program who demonstrates excellence in teaching along with the ability to inspire creative and critical thinking in students. In addition, they must offer thoughtfulness toward student learning and well-being; motivation to exceed personal expectations; and the ability to further the growth of future nursing professionals. Graham received her award at the COUPN Awards reception in Toronto, Ontario on April 23.

“I am humbled to receive the 2014 Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education from COUPN,” said Graham. “It is such a privilege to teach and learn from the wonderful Collaborative BScN faculty and staff.  There is no greater joy than to see our Nursing students mature into novice registered nurses, contributing so richly to our health-care system.”

COUPN's 2014 Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education.

After 30 years of direct clinical practice in nursing in acute and critical care areas, Graham joined DC’s faculty as an instructor in the college’s Critical Care Nursing graduate certificate program in 2007. In 2008 she became a faculty member with the Collaborative BScN program, and has served as Program Co-ordinator of the Collaborative program since 2012.

“This recognition is so highly deserved,” said Dr. Sue Coffey, Director, Collaborative BScN Program, UOIT. “Leslie’s outstanding leadership in the area of nursing education, and particularly her visionary focus on simulation as a teaching-learning methodology, will undoubtedly transform both nursing education and nursing practice.”

“I can’t think of a more worthy person to receive this distinguished award,” said Susan Sproul, Dean, School of Health & Community Services, DC. “Professor Graham’s passion, vision and enthusiasm for moving nursing care forward in relation to current and emerging technologies can be felt through the entire BScN curriculum. She is able to motivate students to exceed their own expectations and pass along to faculty colleagues that same level of confidence.  Congratulations, Leslie!”

Graham has also taken part in a number of nursing research projects, including a variety of initiatives focused on the development, application and evaluation of using simulation and technology-enhanced learning in both nursing and critical care nursing curriculum.

The Collaborative BScN is designed to graduate professional nurses committed to excellence and innovation in assessing and meeting the nursing needs of society. Students develop and transmit knowledge regarding nursing practice and the human experience of health, illness and healing. The fully integrated UOIT/DC partnership provides collaborative learning activities that enable students to take an active role in their own learning. This strategy, combined with traditional methods, prepares graduates for lifelong learning, research and teamwork and provides the leadership skills essential for nursing practice. State-of-the-art nursing labs also provide students with practical, hands-on experience in hospital and home-care settings and give them access to the latest technology, right at their fingertips.

COUPN is an organization of Ontario’s 20 publicly funded universities and one associate member institution that facilitates discussion between its members and advocates on a wide range of university issues and co-ordinates a number of shared services. The organization also works closely with the provincial and federal governments to develop and improve public policies that help universities deliver high-quality programs for students, and research and innovation that positively impacts the social, cultural and economic well-being of Ontarians.

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About UOIT

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) advances the discovery and application of knowledge through a technology-enriched learning environment and innovative programs responsive to the needs of students, and the evolving 21^st-century workplace. With more than 9,600 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 75 programs delivered by exceptional faculty, UOIT promotes social engagement, fosters critical thinking and integrates outcomes-based learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. UOIT's commitment to accelerating economic growth and social innovation is realized through research collaborations with leading organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the Durham Regional Police Service. To find out more, visit uoit.ca.

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contacts:

Bryan Oliver
UOIT Communications and Marketing
905.721.8668 ext. 6709
289.928.3653 (cell)
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca

Michelle Roebuck
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca