Familiar Faces in New Positions
Two College of Nursing faculty step into college leadership roles.
The College of Nursing is pleased to welcome two of our current faculty members into leadership roles. Starting May 1st, Professor Cindy Peternelj-Taylor began serving as interim dean of the college for a period of up to one year. On June 1st, Dr. Tracie Risling began her role as interim associate dean research and graduate studies, also for a one year period.
Interim Dean Cindy Peternelj-Taylor
Cindy (RN, MSc, DF-IAFN) began her academic career at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in 1983 in a one-year limited term lecturer position with the College of Nursing. She received an appointment as assistant professor in 1987, and was promoted to full professor in 1998. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is actively engaged in research and scholarship, which focuses on professional role development for nurses and healthcare professionals who work with vulnerable populations in forensic psychiatric and correctional settings.
Professor Peternelj-Taylor was a charter member of, and currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee for the USask Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies, and she also serves as a member of the board of the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses. Cindy is a Distinguished Fellow with the International Association of Forensic Nurses and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Forensic Nursing. Throughout her distinguished career, she has mentored many graduate students in areas of mental health, vulnerable populations, forensic nursing and writing for publication. She is a scholar who has published extensively in peer reviewed journals and books, and is a much sought-after speaker, both nationally and internationally.
Cindy is the recipient of numerous awards including a University of Saskatchewan Student Union Teaching Excellence Award, a Nursing Excellence Award from the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses, an Achievement Award from the International Association of Forensic Nurses, and from the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association, both a Mentorship Award and the Helen Walker Award for Innovation in Nursing.
”During this unprecedented time in our history, I find myself in deep contemplative thought,” said Cindy. “It is a time to reflect on what has been, and it is a time to look with promise to new opportunities that only the future can bring. Clearly, the leadership of the college is not a solitary venture; rather, it is one that draws upon the collective wisdom of the whole. I have the privilege of working with an incredible group of faculty and staff, who encourage me to collaboratively attend to the needs of the college, our students, and the patients, families and communities that we are entrusted to serve. It is truly an honour to serve as interim dean.”
Interim Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies Dr. Tracie Risling
Tracie (RN, PhD) has been engaged in nursing education and scholarship since 2005. In addition to being an associate professor in the College of Nursing, she is also an innovative researcher, mentor, committed graduate student supervisor and accomplished writer and speaker. She is the current President-Elect of the Canadian Nursing Informatics Association and on the editorial boards of the Canadian Nurse and JMIR Nursing (Nursing Informatics Journal).
Both provincially and nationally, Tracie has been the lead on a number of research projects. She is a leader in nursing informatics, an advocate for improved patient health and health care services and a leader in promoting research within the College of Nursing. Her patient-oriented program of health informatics research, includes study on artificial intelligence, social media, co-design and patient access and use of electronic health records. Dr. Risling explores how health technologies, in particular those that provide data access, influence patient empowerment and engagement.
“Tracie has demonstrated consistent growth and commitment to the advancement of scholarship and discovery and has successfully navigated the evolving research landscape,” said interim dean Cindy Peternelj-Taylor. “She regularly challenges our college to “think outside of the proverbial box,” whether it is in relation to curriculum planning and evaluation, novel research partnerships, building reconciliation, or strategic planning. Through it all, she fosters innovation, collaboration and creativity.”
“It is a privilege to provide support to my colleagues in this role,” said Tracie. “I welcome the opportunity to promote an incredible range of research and scholarship focused on advancing nursing education, practice, leadership, and above all, the health and well-being of patients and communities here at home and around the world.”