Meet Our Speakers

How do we empower frontline oncology nurses to improve cancer care through research? This presentation introduces Cancer Care Alberta's Nursing Research Capacity Building Pilot Program, a partnership made possible through philanthropic support that provides protected time, mentorship, and research support for nurses working in regional and community cancer centres. Through the stories of two nurse-led research projects, attendees will see how this investment is helping frontline nurses transform clinical questions into research, build research capacity, and generate knowledge with the potential to improve cancer care for patients and families across Alberta. Presentation by:

Anna Pujadas Botey, PhD, MSc – Program Lead, Research and Innovation, CCA

Elizabeth Winnicky, MN, BScN, RN – Registered Nurse, CCA

Shannon Pumm, MN, BScN, RN – Registered Nurse, CCA

Shannon Pumm Anna Pujadas Botey Elizabeth Winnicky

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**The Other Side of the Bedside:**
One unexpected moment changed everything. After her husband's near-fatal, life-changing accident, Kristen Sykes, RN, (NP student) was suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver, experiencing healthcare from the other side of the bedside. As she navigated the uncertainty, fear, and challenges of supporting her husband through his recovery, she gained a profound understanding of what patients and their families endure every day.
In this powerful and deeply personal presentation, Kristen shares how this harrowing journey transformed not only her life, but also her perspective as a nurse. Through stories of resilience, compassion, and hope, she'll explore the lasting impact of caregiving and the invaluable lessons it taught her about empathy, healing, and the human side of nursing.

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**Beyond the Cold: Improving Frostbite Care Through Nursing Research:** Ted Harrigan (RN, CNS) will share groundbreaking research examining severe frostbite among individuals experiencing homelessness in Edmonton and Calgary. His presentation explores how social determinants of health influence patient outcomes and highlights opportunities to improve prevention, access to care, and emergency response during Alberta's harsh winters. Discover how nursing-led research is helping shape more effective, compassionate care for some of our most vulnerable communities.

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Increasing Access, Improving Outcomes: Examining the Impact of Double Spine Days: Children waiting for scoliosis surgery at the Stollery Children's Hospital often face long delays that can allow spinal curves to worsen before treatment. To help increase surgical capacity, the team introduced Double Spine Days, safely completing two scoliosis surgeries in one operating day using existing resources. Our study is now underway, reviewing patient outcomes from 2022–2026 to compare Double Spine Days with traditional surgical scheduling. Researchers are examining operating room efficiency, patient safety, recovery, and overall surgical volume. Findings will help determine whether this innovative model can safely reduce wait times and improve access to care for children with scoliosis. Presented by:

Kathleen Shearer RN & Sarah Southon Hryniuk RN