Award Recipients

2022 Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence Recipient

Mary Morrison Davis was born in Alberta and lived and worked in the province for most of her life. She was a professional social worker with veterans in Edmonton and is recognized as a pioneer in gerontological services. After her death, the AAG Board decided to rename its Award of Excellence the Mary Morrison Davis Award in recognition of this exemplary champion of aging and older people.

The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG) or to the field of gerontology. The recipient receives a certificate and Honourary Life membership in the AAG.

Carole Estabrooks holds a Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation in the care of older adults in long-term care (LTC) settings and has been Scientific Director of the pan Canadian applied research program, Translating Research in Elder Care (TREC) since 2007. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of New Brunswick, her graduate degrees from the University of Alberta, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Toronto.

She has been the recipient of several awards and distinctions among them, the Order of Canada, the J Gordin Kaplan Award for Excellence in Research (University of Alberta), the University of New Brunswick’s Alumni Award of Distinction, and the Betty Havens Prize for Knowledge Translation in Aging (Canadian Institutes of Health Research).

She is a fellow in the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the American Academy of Nurses, the Canadian Academy of Nurses, and the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame (Sigma Theta Tau International). She is currently a member of the National Seniors Council of Canada, the National Long Term-Care Standards Development Committee and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Aging Advisory Board.

Julie Gorenko is pursuing a PhD, in Clinical Psychology, at the U of Calgary. Julie is focusing her research on the gambling habits of older adults. It is interesting to note that Julie started working with older adults, in an independent living facility, when she was 14 years of age. It was during this experience that she gained an understanding of the complexity of factors that influence the health and wellness of older adults. Julie’s clinical practicum training is in the area geriatric mental health and she intends to continue to focus on psychological services for older adults when she has completed her studies. We wish her success in her studies.

Beth Mansell is pursuing a Master’s of Public Health, at the U of Alberta. Her focus is health policy and management. Currently, Beth is working full time at Sage Seniors Association in Edmonton, where she is the strategic project and operations manager. Beth is the co-chair of the Age friendly community in Edmonton. One interesting item on her application was the fact that Beth is co-founder of Tusk – a care navigation platform, currently in beta testing with caregivers and community partners. Tusk is a platform that matches caregivers of adults living with dementia with the right resources, at the right time, to avoid crisis points. Beth congratulations on receiving this award.

Caring for older adults, in a diversity of settings, is an increasingly large part of health and human service provision in Alberta. Numerous team members bring their expertise and skills to their work with older adults. This bursary recognizes the desire of workers to “upgrade” their knowledge and skills.

Jessica Brulotte is currently working as a health care aide in Valleyview Health Centre. She is enrolled in year 1 at Northern Lakes College in the practical nurse program. Furthering studies, Jessica wrote in her application, will enhance her knowledge and skills to work with older adults. Jessica is currently in class but asked me to express her very sincere appreciation for the award.

Linda Stanger

Reading from one of the letters of support for Linda’s nomination.

"Linda’s substantive work to promote the health of older adults and those who work with them in a variety of settings. Linda recently retired as Chief Executive Office of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. Over her career, Linda understands and encourages the importance of volunteering and participating in organizations such as the Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG). ..

Linda has served in voluntary capacities in various organizations and most recently as the Chairperson for the Alberta Association on Gerontology, previously as the Chairperson of the Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators, as a Director on the Board of the National Nursing Assessment Service and an Executive Officer of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to name a few…

Linda’s skills, combined with empathy, warmth, and genuineness support her success as an exceptional leader, respected by staff, government and many various stakeholders and colleagues. ..

Linda is a committed team player who is supportive and enriches any relationship she enters. People are drawn to her warmth and she has passion for whatever she commits to and gives her “all” to any organization or event she is involved in.”

2019 AAG Provincial Award Recipient

Noelannah Neubauer

2019 AAG Edmonton Chapter Student Award

Charlotte Ryder

2019 AAG Calgary Chapter Scholarship Award

Bria Mele, PhD student in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, has been selected to receive the Calgary Student Award.

Bria has conducted research relevant to the geriatric population since her third year of undergraduate studies. Her undergraduate thesis research was awarded with distinction. In her study she combined neuroscience and economic theory to better understand the genetics of apathy in Parkinson’s disease. During her Masters studies, Bria conducted qualitative research with persons with PD and their caregivers to assess what they identify to be barriers and facilitators to living with apathy in PD. They identified difficulties with awareness of apathy as a syndrome of PD and difficulties with the diagnosis & management of apathy. Bria’s PhD project has been shaped by the difficulties identified by people with PD and their caregivers. Her PhD research is focused on the development of a clinical care pathway for diagnosing and managing apathy in PD.

Bria intends to become a clinician scientist, with a special focus on improving the mental health of older adults with common neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. She has been accepted into the University of Calgary Leaders in Medicine Program. After she completes her PhD, she will commence her medical studies. Bria hopes to specialize as a geriatrician and work closely with patients, caregivers, and other physicians to improve the quality of life of those living with neurodegenerative diseases common in older populations.

Congratulations to Bria on receiving this award, with best wishes on her future studies and career!

2018 AAG Calgary Chapter Scholarship Award

The Calgary Chapter Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Allegra Samaha, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. Allegra has been an active member of the Alberta Association on Gerontology Calgary Chapter Board for two years as our Student Representative; however she has been making her mark in gerontology in so many other ways. In brief, this future leader in gerontology has already received eight distinctions and awards. She has participated as a co-lead or a research assistant with four research studies, and she has presented at conferences on 17 occasions either in poster or oral format. Allegra has also served in leadership capacities with the Gerontological Social Work Action Group and the Gerontology Interest Group within the Faculty of Social Work, as well as participating as a member or volunteer with other agencies.

In addition to working as a Social Worker with Alberta Health Services; Allegra is in the second year of her Master’s of Social Work program. Her Masters studies are being funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canadian Graduate Master’s Scholarship. Her Master’s thesis explores how cultural diversity affects the help-seeking behavior of adult children caring for a parent with dementia.

2017 AAG Provincial Award Recipients

Peyman Khaneghah
Oluwasey Abgail Osho

2017 AAG Edmonton Chapter Scholarship Award

Noelannah Neubauer

2017 AAG Calgary Chapter Scholarship Award

The Calgary Chapter Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Jon Parr Vijinski, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary. Mr. Jon Parr Vijinski’s focus in his PhD program at the University of Calgary is exploration of affective responses of persons with Dementia in the use of music combined with video recordings of the listener. He has many years of experience as a research assistant for various professors exploring the effects of specific elements of music for promoting health and healing for a range of populations. Among his publications is a book chapter on how music moves people emotionally (see The Book Project at: The CAIT Research Group). He is a gifted tenor, composer, and producer (see examples of his compositions on his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/jonparrvijinski).

2016 Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence Recipient

Susan Slaughter has a Master of Science in Nursing from McGill University in Montreal and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences from University of Calgary, and Post Doc Fellowship in Knowledge Translation from the University of Alberta. Dr. Slaughter is currently an Associate Profession in the Faculty of Nursing in University of Alberta. She is the investigator of numerous research projects in continuing care and gerontology in various centres and service sites in Alberta. She also participated in numerous policy planning and implementation committees of various government organizations, professional bodies and university bodies.

Her profile is available on: Susan Slaughter

2016 AAG Provincial Award Recipient – Master’s Level

Ms. Allison Harding is a Master of Science student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Alberta. Allison became interested in working with older adults when she participated in an undergraduate ethnographic field school in Guatemala. When in Guatemala, Allison volunteered at the Elder’s Centre which provided meals and support to aging women and men in need. She then conducted a study with these older Guatemalan elders. Within her master’s degree, Allison is going to examine the perspectives of speech and hearing professionals regarding the provision of auditory rehabilitation services to adults with hearing loss in Alberta.

2016 AAG Provincial Award Recipient – PhD Level

Ms. Tori Hui Ren is a PhD student at the University of Alberta. Tori is studying the impact of environmental design in long term care facilities or supported living upon older adults with dementia in Alberta. Tori is currently working with two research groups: Research on Aging, Politics, and Practice (RAPP) at the University of Alberta, as well as the Gerontology Research Centre at Simon Fraser University. She is also assisting Dr. Megan Strickfaden in developing curriculum entitled, Environmental and Ecological Foundations of Aging, for college students in China. Tori has also been involved in AAG, as well as in organizing workshops and site visits for Chinese delegates learning about residential housing for Canadian seniors.

2016 AAG Edmonton Chapter Student Award

Ms. Linzy Bohn is a PhD student in psychology at the University of Alberta. Linzy’s doctoral research examines age-related changes in cognitive processing of emotional information and the impact this has on decision-making. Linzy’s interest in aging research was sparked by her work with DriveABLE. She has also published in the Psychology and Aging journal.

2016 AAG Calgary Chapter Student Award

Ms. Jenna Powell is a Master’s student in Social Work at the University of Calgary. Her focus in her Master’s degree is geriatric mental health. Jenna’s commitment to working with older adults was fuelled several years ago when she encountered older clients in her work at the Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team and the Victim Assistance Unit with the Calgary Police Force. Together with her faculty advisor, Jenna has founded and organized the Geriatric Awareness Committee that involves students, faculty and alumni of the Faculty of Social Work in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Grande Prairie.

Past AAG Student Award Recipients

2016

Provincial Master’s Level – Allison Harding
Provincial PhD Level – Tori Hui Ren
Edmonton – Linzy Bohn
Calgary – Jenna Powell

2015

Provincial Masters Level - Jasper Yeung
Provincial PhD Level - - Sharon Anderson
Edmonton - Stephanie Chamberlain
Calgary - Calandra Speirs

2014

Provincial - Ashley Cornish

2013

Provincial - Shawna Reid

2010

Provincial Master’s Level - Sarah Lucas
Provincial PhD Level - Peggy McFall

2009

Provincial PhD Level - Tiana Rust
Provincial - Scott Kendall

2008

Provincial Master’s Level - Tiana Rust
Provincial PhD Level - Misty Renee Whalen

2007

Provincial - Jennifer Swindle
Provincial Master’s Level - Misty Renee Whalen

Past Recipients of the Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence:

Susan Slaughter - 2016
Bruce West - 2015
Norah Keating - 2014
Carole-Lynne Le Navenec - 2013
Sharon Moore – 2010
Doris Milke – 2009
Corinne Schalm – 2008
Peter McCracken – 2007
Sandra Hirst – 2006
Dianne McDermid – 2005
Holly Crayston – 2002
Don Mayne – 2001
Robert Bramwell – 2000
Christine Lawrence – 1999
Wanda Cree – 1998
Joyce Church Springate – 1997
Vivien Lai – 1996
Mary Engelmann – 1992

2022 Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence Recipient

2022 AAG Provincial Award Recipient

2022 AAG Edmonton Chapter Student Award

2020 AAG Provincial Award Recipient

2020 AAG Edmonton Chapter Student Award

2020 Bursary For Care Worker Award

2020 Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence Recipient

Past Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence Recipients