The UPEI Active Living Lab and UPEI Athletics and Recreation are seeking women with breast cancer, or who have previously had breast cancer, to participate in a free eight-week walking program in July and August. The program will take place on Thursday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place track, from July 5-August 23. The program is for all ages and abilities. Family members are welcome to attend.

Parking is free. For more information, or to sign up, contact Travis Saunders at ExerciseRx@upei.ca.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

The Faculty of Nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island has been granted the maximum seven-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), the national accrediting body for nursing education in Canada.

Accreditation promotes excellence and is recognized worldwide as an important, objective method to assess professional education programs. As part of the CASN accreditation process, the Faculty of Nursing prepared self-study reports and underwent a rigorous on-site visit by members of the CASN Accreditation Bureau Review Team.

“I am so delighted that the Faculty of Nursing has received seven-year accreditation,” said Dr. Gulrose Jiwani, Dean of Nursing. “It is a result of the exemplary leadership of our faculty and staff in influencing nursing education, practice, research, and policy on Prince Edward Island and beyond.”

Dr. Jiwani added, “It takes a community to build strong programs, and our team has created just that for the Faculty of Nursing.”

Suzie Durocher-Hendriks, chair of the CASN Accreditation Bureau, wrote to Dr. Jiwani indicating that after a meeting on May 8, and, based on an on-site accreditation visit in March, UPEI had been granted accreditation for its Faculty of Nursing Educational Unit and its five undergraduate programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, advanced standing; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, first-year entry from Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN); and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, second-year entry from LPN.

Durocher-Hendriks added, “The CASN Accreditation Bureau recognizes the strengths of your educational unit and nursing education programs.”

Earlier this year, the UPEI Senate and Board of Governors elevated what was formerly known as the “UPEI School of Nursing” to the “UPEI Faculty of Nursing,” recognizing the expansion of nursing programs, stellar research and scholarship, and curriculum grounded in the philosophy of primary health care as reasons for the change.

With yearly enrolment exceeding 300 students, the Faculty is now home to 45 professionals, including tenure-track faculty, adjunct graduate faculty, clinical and sessional instructors, coordinators, and administrative assistants dedicated to advancing the Faculty of Nursing’s mission and vision.

“I am very pleased to hear the wonderful news regarding the seven-year accreditation received by the Faculty of Nursing,” said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor. “Congratulations to Dr. Jiwani as well as all of the faculty and staff who worked so diligently and contributed to this important process. I am so proud of my colleagues as this success is a testament to the quality of the Faculty of Nursing’s educational unit and programs, and its tremendous growth.”

Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, AVC Equine Ambulatory Service, will give a community workshop on Wednesday, July 11, about strangles in AVC’s Lecture Theatre A at 7 p.m.

She will talk about the symptoms of strangles, diagnosis and treatment, and ways to reduce the risk of infection.

Recently several cases of strangles were diagnosed in horses in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI. The bacteria causing the illness is easily transmitted by nose-to-nose contact between horses or from things that come in contact with nasal discharge from a sick horse, such as clothing, hands, or equipment.

Everyone is welcome. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call (902) 566-0589.

Graeme McDonald, head coach of the UPEI Women’s Soccer team, is pleased to announce that Maddie Hurley has committed to the Panthers. Hurley competed on five provincial teams and was named the 2016 PEI Soccer Association Junior Female Player of the Year.

“I’m very excited that Maddie is joining our program,” said MacDonald. “She is a strong, quick, intelligent striker with an eye for the goal. Her all-round game is excellent. It’s great news to have signed one of PEI’s most talented players, and we look forward to seeing her wear the Panther jersey.”

Hurley began playing soccer at four-years old. She represented PEI five times as a member of the provincial soccer team, including at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. She competed three times at the National Club Championships as a member of the Winsloe-Charlottetown Royals FC.

As a member of the Charlottetown Rural High School Raiders, Hurley won three AAA girls soccer titles, and was named an all-star twice.

“I am delighted to be going to UPEI, and I am looking forward to competing at the university level and playing with such a talented group of girls in the upcoming soccer season,” said Hurley.

Hurley has been accepted in the Faculty of Business.

Go Panthers Go!

It’s not usual to see a horse in the parking lot of the PEI Provincial Palliative Care Centre—except when Billy, the Norwegian Fjord horse, comes to visit.

Sixteen-year-old Billy is owned by Dr. Mary McNiven, professor of animal science at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). For over three years, she has been bringing Billy to visit patients in the Centre. He interacts with the patients who want to visit with him at their windows, in the parking lot, or in the courtyard. Because of the way the Centre is designed, they can see him from their beds, and the windows can be opened so they can talk to him and his handlers.

“Billy’s visits are a highlight for the people here—our patients, their families, and our staff,” said Centre manager Peter Howatt. “He gives patients something to focus on and takes their minds off their own situation for a period of time.”

Charlottetown resident Kerry McKenna, a 58-year-old day patient at the Centre, loves to visit with Billy. McKenna was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and has been coming to the Centre two days a week ever since.

“He [Billy] makes me feel relaxed and calm, which takes my mind off having brain cancer,” he said.

While Billy’s visits bring pleasure to palliative care patients like McKenna, the horse is also part of a related research project. Led by McNiven, who is certified in equine-assisted therapy, the project team is working to determine the effect of the therapy on patients and also on the horse involved.

“Equine-assisted therapy is more common these days, with the target groups tending to be people who have problems caused by traumatic events and PTSD,” she said. “But people in palliative care have unique worries and concerns, and we want to determine what effect this therapy has on them. In addition, it is important to consider the welfare of the horses involved in equine therapy.”

Krisandra Cairns RN, a Master of Nursing student at the University of New Brunswick, approached McNiven about doing a project on equine-assisted therapy, and she jumped at the chance. McNiven is co-supervisor of Cairns’s masters program.

Cairns is in charge of the patient side of the project. The participating patients visit with Billy at least twice and watch a video of him getting ready to come to the Centre. She interviews each patient at the end of the visits and compiles their responses to him. She also evaluates their symptoms before and after their visits with Billy, using a health assessment tool. Her findings will be included in her master’s thesis.

Looking after Billy’s side of the project is Justine Macpherson, a second-year veterinary student at AVC. She assesses the variability of Billy’s heart rate—an indication of stress—on five occasions during the day that the horse visits the Centre. Billy wears a remote heart rate monitor for at least 10 minutes in a stall before leaving the farm, while he is in the trailer on the way to and back from the Centre, during the visit itself, and for at least 10 minutes in his stall after the journey. Macpherson will present the results of her study at a research symposium at AVC in August.

And what does Billy think? Well, that’s hard to say, but standing in the parking lot after doing his rounds, he was so relaxed that he was almost asleep! McNiven said the patients get involved in Billy’s life.

“They know him; they ask about him; they even worry about him a bit,” she said. “They look forward to seeing him.”
 

AVC now has a new website that makes donating to the College quick and easy. Supporters can click on Give to AVC on the front page of the College’s main website to go to the donation website. On that site, they will find 12 funds that they can support by clicking on the appropriate link.

“We work to ensure the health and welfare of animals and people by educating and training veterinarians, exploring the causes and cures for health problems, and providing animals with top-quality medical care,” said Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC. “The support of our donors is critical to the achievement of these goals, and for this, I thank them.”

Bruce Donaldson, coach of the UPEI Women’s Hockey team, is pleased to announce that Sydney Lyndon has confirmed she will play for the Panthers for the 2018–2019 season. Lyndon has played minor hockey since 2012, playing the last three seasons for the Ottawa Lady Senators in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

“Sydney is a strong defensive player who I watched a few times over this past winter,” said Donaldson. “I first noticed her when I went to the Stoney Creek tournament in September, and then again, when I was in London watching the first round of the PWHL play-offs. Her coach speaks very highly of her abilities. She clearly likes the contact piece of the game and was always on the ice during odd-man opportunities.”

Lyndon joins the Panthers during an exciting time for UPEI Athletics and Recreation and UPEI Women’s Hockey as UPEI will host back-to-back U-SPORTS women’s hockey championships in 2019 and 2020. Work is well underway to make these events successful.

“I knew I wanted to attend UPEI and play for the Panthers from the moment I arrived on campus,” said Lyndon. “Coach Donaldson and my future teammates welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like part of the team. I love Charlottetown—it reminds me of home. It’s a place where I can see myself learning and maturing. I am also very excited and honoured to have the opportunity to play U-SPORTS hockey with the UPEI Panthers for the next few years.”

Lyndon has been accepted into the Kinesiology program in the Faculty of Science.

Go Panthers Go!

AVC honoured staff members for excellence and retiring faculty and staff during its annual ice cream social on June 28.

Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC, presented Dean’s Awards of Excellence to Rosemary McIver, Graduate Studies and Research (nominated by Dr. Larry Hammell); Sherri Pineau, Biomedical Sciences (nominated by Dr. Jonathan Spears); Natasha Robinson, Health Management (nominated by Dr. Shawn McKenna); and Matt Saab, Diagnostic Services (nominated by Dr. Anne Muckle).

“On behalf of AVC, I thank this year’s award winners for the contributions they make to the success of our teaching, research, and service programs,” said Dr. Keefe.

Retirees honoured included Rita Saunders (Pathology and Microbiology), Kaye Rodd (Veterinary Teaching Hospital) and Dr. Paul Hanna (Pathology and Microbiology). Hooligan, a teaching horse with 25 years of service, was also recognized at the social.

Dr. Keefe thanked the retiring staff and faculty members, and Hooligan, for their many years of service at AVC and wished them good health and happiness during their retirement.

The University of Prince Edward Island recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize the working relationship between the L.M. Montgomery Institute and Parks Canada.

The agreement will provide opportunities for the two organizations to identify and partner on common goals such as heritage resources conservation, public understanding and appreciation, visitor experience, and increasing Canadians’ connection with Parks Canada Places. In particular, the LMMI and Parks Canada will look at projects related to Green Gables Heritage Place and the life and stories of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor; Karen Jans, Field Unit Superintendent, PEI, for Parks Canada; and Dr. Philip Smith, Chair of the LMMI.

“We are very pleased to enhance our already strong relationship with Parks Canada by signing this MOU for the L.M. Montgomery Institute,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “Parks Canada and the LMMI both have tremendous reputations when it comes to promoting our Island literary treasure, Lucy Maud Montgomery. This collaboration will lead to increased public engagement with Montgomery’s work.”

Dr. Philip Smith, chair of the LMMI said, “While we’ve always had positive conversations with Parks Canada over the years about L.M. Montgomery’s legacy, this agreement provides a formal framework for our discussions. It is a great opportunity to advance new ways of learning about Montgomery's influence at home on the Island, across Canada, and around the world.”

The L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island was launched 25 years ago with the goal of promoting research into, and celebrating, the life, works, culture, and influence of Prince Edward Island-born L.M. Montgomery, one of Canada’s most famous authors. During her lifetime (1874–1942), Montgomery wrote over 20 novels, numerous poems and short stories, and 10 volumes of personal journals. She is most famous for her first novel, Anne of Green Gables, with its iconic character, Anne Shirley, whose life in fictional Avonlea continues to delight millions of readers around the world. Housed in the University’s Robertson Library, the Institute has developed a strong scholarship base and its own collection of Montgomery-related artefacts, sponsored courses on Canadian culture, published essay collections based on its biennial conferences, and developed multi-media products to further scholarly discussion of the author’s work.

John LaBoyne, coach of UPEI’s Women’s Rugby team, is pleased to announce Katlyn Berkelaar has committed to the Panthers for the 2018–2019 season.

Berkelaar is a lock player from Williams Lake, British Columbia where she played for the Lake City Secondary School Falcons in both 7s and 15s rugby. Berkelaar won a silver medal this year at the BC Provincial Regional Championships, playing for the Thompson Okanagan Rugby Alliance.

“Katlyn has a solid background foundation and is spending the summer developing her strength and fitness in preparation for her debut with the Panthers,” said LaBoyne.

“I’m really looking forward to attending UPEI and playing rugby for the Panthers,” said Berkelaar. “It will be a change for me, coming from a small town in British Columbia. This is a big step towards achieving more goals and making new friends.”

Berkelaar has been admitted to the Faculty of Arts.

Go Panthers Go!