Dr. Gail Macartney receives University Teaching Excellence Award
UPEI held its annual Celebration of Colleagues on May 29, 2025, to recognize the achievements of faculty, librarians, clinical veterinary professionals, clinical nursing instructors, sessional instructors, and staff members. Over the coming weeks, UPEI Communications will include profiles of the winners of the University Awards of Excellence in editions of the Campus Connector.
Featured this week is Dr. Gail Macartney, Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing, who is the recipient of the University Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching in one or more of the following areas: teaching effectiveness; teaching innovation; clinical instruction; and scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership. A dedicated educator, scholar, and clinician, Dr. Macartney exemplifies teaching excellence through her innovative approaches, commitment to student success, and integration of real-world clinical experience into the classroom.
As the lead of the nurse practitioner stream in the graduate nursing program, she demonstrates exceptional leadership by coordinating and overseeing clinical placements and advising both students and clinical preceptors. She skillfully integrates the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators’ entry-level competencies and advanced theoretical concepts into classroom and clinical discussions, ensuring students are well-prepared for professional practice.
Dr. Macartney fosters an inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning environment, encouraging accountability and critical thinking through weekly student-led presentations and reflective check-ins. She is known for creating a strong sense of community among her students and tailoring her teaching based on student feedback.
Beyond the classroom, she supports evidence-informed practice through her development and maintenance of Web NP-Evidence for Practice, a widely used clinical resource for nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers. Her scholarship includes numerous peer-reviewed publications and contributions to educational tools like Designing Infographics–A Manual for Health Care Provider Learners and Practitioners.
A valued colleague and mentor, Dr. Macartney actively supports new nursing faculty by sharing her experience, encouraging committee involvement, and co-authoring scholarly work. Her leadership on local, provincial, and national boards, including the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, further reflects her dedication to advancing the profession.
In recognition of her exemplary teaching, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Macartney is a most deserving recipient of the University Teaching Excellence Award.
Congratulations, Dr. Macartney!
