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College of Nursing

Biography

Dr. April Mackey is a registered nurse and interdisciplinary scholar specializing in health equity for gender diverse and marginalized populations. With academic credentials spanning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Nursing (MN), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interdisciplinary Studies, her research bridges nursing, social sciences, and gender studies.

Dr. Mackey’s community-engaged program of research addresses pressing health disparities—particularly related to gendered violence, menstrual health, and the lived experiences of equity-seeking communities. Her work employs participatory and narrative methods to amplify the voices of those most impacted by social injustice, and critically interrogates how intersecting structures—such as gender, race, and class—shape health risks and outcomes.

She collaborates with local, national, and international partners to advance trauma-informed, equity-oriented interventions for survivors of violence and trauma to redefine foundational concepts like agency, resistance, and empowerment in health equity contexts. Dr. Mackey’s recent projects span topics such as intimate partner violence among queer women, menstrual hygiene management, and access to sex- and gender-based health services for newcomer women.

Driven by a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, and academic mentorship, Dr. Mackey’s research is supported by partners across Saskatchewan, Canada, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Brazil.

Research Interests

  • Health equity for gender diverse populations
  • Intimate partner and gender based violence
  • Menstrual health, hygiene, and equity
  • Narrative, participatory, and arts based research methods
  • Interdisciplinary and trauma-informed collaboration

Methodology

  • Qualitative
  • Mixed methods

Courses

  • NURS 200.3 Nursing Foundations Perspectives and Influences
  • NURS 201.3 Perspectives on Health Wellness and Diversity in a Global Context
  • NURS 202.3 Assessment and Components of Care I
  • NURS 203.3 Assessment and Components of Care II
  • NURS 307.3 Integrating Mental Health and Addiction into Nursing
  • NURS 308.3 Integrating Mental Health and Addiction Within Nursing Practice
  • NURS 321.3 Therapeutic Interventions for Individuals and Groups
  • NURS 422.3 Issues in Leadership and Management Transformative Practice in Health Care Organizations
  • NURS 430.3 Community Health Nursing Building Partnerships
  • NURS 431.6 Community Nursing Practice

Publications

Grants

Petrucka, P., Mackey, A. & Bigalky, J. (September 2024 - August 2025). Access and Experiences with sex and gender-based health care services in Saskatchewan: Perspectives of Post-Conflict Newcomer Women and Frontline Workers, 12734.52 (CAD). College of Nursing.
Bigalky, J., Namathanga, A., Mackey, A., Petrucka, P., Moyo, M., Chipungu & E. (February 2024 - February 2026). Developing an International Collaborative Research Team to Address Obstetric Fistulas in Girls and Young Women in Malawi, Africa, 17008.0 (CAD). Global Community Service Fund (new), Office of the Vice-President Research.
Petrucka, P., Mackey, A., Cummings, J. (January 2023 - July 2024). Saskatchewan Awareness, Advocacy, and Knowledge Strategies (Sask-A2SKS): Addressing IPV amongst Queer Women in Saskatchewan’s 2SLBGTQ+ Communities, 9996.0 (CAD). Align Grant, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.
Petrucka, P., Mackey, A., Cummings, J. (2023). Saskatchewan Awareness, Advocacy, and Knowledge Strategies (Sask-A2SKS): Addressing IPV amongst Queer Women in Saskatchewan’s 2SLBGTQ+ Communities, 9996.0 (CAD). Align Grant, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.
Petrucka, P., Mackey, A., Martin, S. & Bigalky, J. (2021-2023) Gender and Rights in Menstrual Hygiene Management in Regina Saskatchewan, 6410.0 (CAD). SSHRC Explore, Office of the Vice-President Research.
Petrucka, P. & Mackey, A. (2020 - 2023). For April Mackey International Travel Award, 2500.0(CAD). International Travel Fund, Office of the Vice-President Research.
Dietrich Leurer, M. & Mackey, A (2020 - 2021). Healthy Workshop Series (For April Mackey), 2000.0 (CAD). Community Initiatives Fund.

External Committees

  • RESOLVE Steering Committee