Key topics will include Special Populations; Collaborative Partnerships, Co-Occurring Disorders Success Stories; and Trauma-Informed Care. Dr. Martin Brokenleg will speak on issues related to Aboriginal youth and youth-at-risk, Dr. John Briere will speak on Trauma.

Two full-day post-institute workshops will be offered. Dr. Sheri Fandrey from the Addiction Foundation of Manitoba will provide a workshop on “Street Drugs & Medication Interactions”. Cheryl Matthews and Christine Willette from Klinic Community Health Centre and the Manitoba Trauma Resource Centre will provide a workshop on “Becoming Trauma-Informed: Mind/Body Approaches to Creating Connection”.

Each workshop will be offered twice so that participants will have the opportunity to attend both of them.

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For more information, please contact:

henaultj@brandonu.ca

(204)-772-0377, ext. 221

CO-OCCURING DISORDERS INSTITUTE PROGRAM – SUMMER 2012

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians with housing needs and people seeking to break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon–Souris, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “We are pleased to partner with Brandon University in its effort to improve homelessness prevention by expanding our knowledge of its causes.”

Dr. Rempel’s research, valued at $72,108, will explore the factors that contribute to youth at-risk mobility in rural and northern Manitoba communities.
Dr. Robinson will receive $31,056 for research entitled “Housing and Support in the Community of Choice: Addressing Factors that Contribute to Migration and Homelessness”.

In her project, Dr. Robinson will describe “the extent to which migration from rural areas contributes to homelessness in a medium-sized regional centre, and identify factors that contribute to migration and settlement difficulties. The project will also investigate reasons for return to rural communities and supports that would enable people to effectively settle in their community of choice.”

“Migration between rural and urban areas is a well-established pattern with consequences for both home and receiving communities,” said Dr. Robinson, who is partnering with Brent White, the Manager of Residential and Support Services with the Brandon Regional Health Authority for this study. “Housing and homelessness are of considerable concern to service planners in Brandon.”

Dr. Rempel’s project is aimed at “youth between the ages of 15 and 30 living outside of the City of Winnipeg, who are at-risk because they are chronically unemployed or lack steady employment; have a lack of educational achievement; and/or require social supports and program interventions. The initial phase of the project resulted in more than 1,700 completed surveys from youth at-risk, 500 completed surveys from employers and 12 community and regional plans to address the needs of youth at-risk at the community or regional level.”

“I am very excited about this research project for our Faculty of Education,” said Dr. Rempel. “This analysis will help us gain a better understanding of the factors and circumstances that contribute to youth-at-risk mobility. Most importantly, this information will be useful to school divisions, communities and government agencies who are trying to address the needs of youth at-risk.”
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BRANDON, MB — While celebrating the accomplishments of 675 new graduates, Brandon University will underscore its 101st Convocation with the bestowment of two honorary doctorates. In recognition of her work in the field of psychiatric nursing, Annette Thorimbert Osted has been selected as one of the recipients.

Brandon University is pleased to announce the conferral of a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) upon Ms Osted. A dedicated psychiatric nurse, she also held the position of Executive Director/Registrar of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba (CRPNM) for more than 30 years. In that role, she was involved in the process that transformed the College from an association to a regulatory body. The changes in psychiatric nursing standards also unfolded during her time with the CRPNM, including the recent of launch of the first Canadian Master-level program in this field at Brandon University.

A dedicated volunteer throughout her career, Ms Osted has gravitated to organizations that help those afflicted by a mental illness. Some of her efforts focused on fundraising, while her insights benefited the groups to which she contributed. Also, she has shared her expertise nationally and internationally. Though retired, she remains a busy volunteer, especially with the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and the not-for-profit social service agency Age and Opportunity.

“Our Psychiatric Nursing programs – both at the undergraduate and graduate level – are two of the most important programs we offer at the university. Ms. Osted is an inspiration to both our students and our faculty, particularly in Health Studies,” said Deborah Poff, Brandon University’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “We are pleased to honour her life-time commitment to the field at this convocation.”

There will be four convocation ceremonies at Brandon University this spring. Ms Osted will receive her honorary doctorate the morning of Friday, June 1. This ceremony will be dedicated to Health Studies and Science graduands. The other ceremonies will take place June 1, at 2:30 p.m. for Arts and Rural Development graduands, June 2 at 10 a.m. for Education graduands and June 2, at 2:30 p.m. for Music, General Studies, Physical Education and Bachelor of Education Concurrent graduands. All ceremonies will take place in the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.
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Congratulations Karen!

Dr. Dean Care
Dean & Professor
School of Health Studies
and Graduate Studies

Their project, entitled “Integrated Knowledge Translation Fosters Partnerships as Rural Postsecondary Students Collaborate to Improve the Health of their Campus Communities” has been awarded a grant of $89,293.

“This new funding will enable our research team to continue our work on improving the quality of life, health, and well-being of our university and college students. We are thrilled that CIHR has granted us the opportunity to further our study,” said Dr. Care, the Dean of the School of Health Studies.

Students and researchers have worked together to identify and examine factors that contribute to the health, wellbeing, and quality of life experienced by university and college students and their student communities. Students have participated in a survey and focus groups conducted on college and university campuses in two rural cities on the Prairies, namely Brandon and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

At the outset of the project, funding was received from the CIHR and Manitoba Health Research Council (MHRC) to undertake data collection and analyses. Now, this additional funding will enable the sharing of the information gathered, the engaging of a broader array of students, the setting up collaborative working groups, and the move to action on the priorities identified by the student bodies at each of the participating campuses.

“Our research team is excited about extending this work with our Brandon partners: the student associations, student services and administrations at Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College, as well as the Brandon Regional Health Authority and the City. Activities will roll out this fall, events such as campus town hall meetings, healthy lifestyle lunch-and-learn sessions, collaboration forums, student action workshops, and further development of the healthy campus website,” said Dr. Racher, a professor in the School of Health Studies.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
villeneuvej@brandonu.ca

http://www.brandonu.ca

BRANDON, MB — To mark International Women’s Day, professors have selected 17 remarkable women students to be honoured during a campus celebration organized by the BU Status of Women Review Committee. They range in age. Their fields of interest vary. They all excel in their studies and have all earned multiple scholarships and other academic distinctions. What makes each of these women shine even more are their activities beyond the classroom.

• Natalie Bohrn (Jazz Music Performance – bass): freelance columnist and volunteer;
• Laura Brandon (Anthropology/Archeology and Native Studies): wife and mother of three, campus and community volunteer;
• Kirsty Cameron (Creative Arts): mother, winner of writing contests, campus volunteer;
• Krista Curry (Master of Education): wife and mother of four, published writer, superintendant of Border Land School Division;
• Alyssa Cuthbert (Biology – biomedicine): accomplished musician, community volunteer;
• Alise Gaiser (Biology – biomedicine): community volunteer;
• Chelsey Hiebert (Music Performance – oboe): Bobcat basketball team member, Academic All Canadian, music instructor;
• Hannah Mazier (Biology – biomedicine): campus and community volunteer, active club member, tutor;
• Darla Palmer (Biology – biomedicine): medical technician/corporal in the Canadian Forces Army Reserves, campus and community volunteer (including for the Souris Fire Department as an EM Technician);
• Shantelle Rank (Psychiatric Nursing): community volunteer, co-leader of the Suicide Survivor Young Adult Support Group;
• Julia Redfern (Biology – biomedicine): published research assistant, actor/singer in community productions;
• Jaryn Ruether (Nursing): Bobcat volleyball team captain, campus volunteer;
• Ericka Serrano (Master of Education): Spanish instructor, founder of the Brandon Latina Women’s Association, advocate and community volunteer;
• Carly Swain (Music Education): campus and community volunteer;
• Tina Thomas (Biology – biomedicine – and Psychology): medical assistant/private with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, community and campus volunteer,
• Tammy Turner (Nursing): wife and mother of three, lactation consultant;
• Melissa Wishart (Biology): accomplished musician, lifeguard, campus and community volunteer.

“We are blessed with this extraordinary and diverse group of talented and exceptional women students. It is wonderful that the Brandon University Status of Women Committee has chosen to recognize and honour them on International Women’s Day,” said University President Deborah Poff.

To read more about these accomplished women, please visit http://www.brandonu.ca/womens-week/ .
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
villeneuvej@brandonu.ca

http://www.brandonu.ca

BRANDON, MB — A day-long winter celebration — WINTERLUDE — will take place on campus for the Brandon University community as well as the general public. Beginning at 10 a.m., on Saturday, February 25, the parking, the brunch, the skating, the cool workshops — everything during Winterlude is free and everyone is welcome to check out the fun.

“This is a warm invitation to all Westman to come and share part of Saturday with us and participate in the many fun and exciting events that will be taking place at BU on the 25th. Join us. We will be there to welcome you as well as answer any questions that prospective students may have about Brandon University,” said Dr. Deborah Poff, President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University.

Following an open skating session on a newly created outdoor rink and a free brunch — complete with live entertainment — there will be hands-on activities for everyone to enjoy all afternoon. An African drumming circle, interactive games in the gym, a musical instrument petting zoo, Aboriginal storytelling, physics toys in action, CSI in the archeology lab, tours in the residences and so much more await.

“Winterlude will be a great opportunity for prospective students to meet faculty members, visit our classrooms and laboratories and speak with current students. The event will highlight our extraordinary facilities, people and programmes,” said Katie Gross, the Director of Recruitment and Retention.

The grand finale of the day will be a hockey game, in which BU students will take on faculty members.

“The game should be a good test of their youth and speed versus our wisdom and experience. It’s all in good fun and a great way to end the day’s festivities,” said David Rowland, the Dean of Students and one of the faculty team players.

For a complete schedule of the day, please visit BrandonU.ca/Winterlude or Brandon University’s facebook place page. Please note that a free brunch will be available for the first 500 visitors to Winterlude.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
villeneuvej@brandonu.ca

http://www.brandonu.ca

Brandon, MB — The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) has acknowledged second-year nursing student Cynthia Fontaine’s efforts and has awarded her a $1,500 bursary. The mother of five children, Cynthia returned to post-secondary studies once her youngest was in school.

“I was a stay-at-home mom for the longest time, but I had always wanted to come back to university,” said Fontaine, who first attended Brandon University as an 18 year old. “I met my husband here, when he was getting his education degree. We fell in love and had all of these kids. Also, I didn’t know at the time what I really wanted to do.”

Caring for her children has, on occasion, necessitated visits to health care professionals. Along the way, she has seen practices with which she agrees and others of which she does not think very highly.

“I figured that maybe I’d like to make some changes, if I could. So, I decided to come back to university,” said the student, who has already started research into Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in First Nations peoples, an interest she hopes to finish in her fourth year. “Another thing made me want to return is the fact that one of my aunties, who was the same age as me, we had similar life situations, but she was depressed and committed suicide. That was my awakening.”

Though she acknowledges that life has been her greatest source of knowledge, Cynthia also wants to set a good example for her children, two of whom are poised to enter university, as well as be prepared for the future.

“I chose nursing because it’s a broad field. You can specialize in many areas, nurses are always in demand, and it’s pretty much a passport: You can go anywhere in the world with it,” she said. “And I love this university! It’s small and supportive, and it’s in a small community where I can raise my children in a safe environment.”

Cynthia is originally from the Grand Rapids First Nation, but has transferred to the Sagkeeng First Nation, which sponsors her and to which her husband belongs. Also, her status allowed her to apply for an NAAF bursary and she was pleased to have been selected for a bursary.

“I’m very pleased that Cynthia has received this support from NAAF to further her studies. It was great news to hear that she had received this bursary,” said Dr. Deborah Poff, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Brandon University. “The University is committed to providing a quality education for all students, including mature learners, like Cynthia. Bursaries and scholarship funds from organizations like NAAF further promotes this commitment.”

A nationally registered, non-profit organization, the NAAF is dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples, especially youth, to achieve their potential. To find out more about the NAAF’s scholarship and bursary opportunities, visit naaf.ca.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
villeneuvej@brandonu.ca

http://www.brandonu.ca

BRANDON, MB — School of Health Studies faculty members — Fran Racher, Nancy McPherson and Dean Care — have received funding from the Alzheimer Society of Canada to undertake a study entitled Living with Dementia: The Experiences of Older Couples in Managing their Lives Together.

The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the experiences of older couples as they strive to manage their lives together, while one partner is experiencing dementia. Better understanding of the experiences, needs, resources and priorities of these couples will lead to change in the development and delivery of health services and programs to better meet their needs.

Program and policy changes may be proposed to help support older couples living with dementia. These could assist in sustaining their independence as a couple and extending their ability to continue to live together in the community by having a more satisfying quality of life for a longer period of time.

During the upcoming year, older couples will be interviewed every six to eight weeks. Both partners will participate in each interview together. There are three main goals of this project. The first is to gain more understanding of the experiences of older couples in managing their lives together while one partner is experiencing early or middle stage dementia. The second will be to start developing a framework and tools specific for the assessment of older couples living with dementia. Thirdly, it will address the creation of tools and how to adapt them specifically for working with these couples, for use by health professionals and others. Finally, the researchers will share their findings to inform couples living with dementia and their families as well as organizations involved in related program and policy development.

“Older couples who are living with dementia have much to teach us about the challenges they experience and the resources they require,” said Dr. Racher. “They can help us to be more effective in working with them, in developing appropriate programs, and in creating effective policy.”
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762

http://www.brandonu.ca

Brandon, MB — Today, Brandon University’s Senate met to establish the policies that will guide the return to classes for BU students. The Senate, comprised of students, faculty and administration, has approved a policy that will see both terms completed by the end of April.

“Our first term classes will end January 24th, followed by an examination period and second term courses will begin January 31st. Senators are working together to make the compromises we need to implement an academically sound plan. We need to thank students and faculty in advance for their work to accommodate the changes required.” said Dr. Scott Grills, Vice-President (Academic and Provost).

The overall intent of these policies is to respond to the recent strike in such a way that the impact on students and their learning is lessened. The Senate addressed a number of concerns including: new dates for voluntary withdrawal from courses, a modified examination schedule and the unique needs of students in professional programs.

Visit the main page at brandonu.ca for the specific details of the new policies.
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For more information, please contact:

Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications
Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762

http://www.brandonu.ca