Faculty of Health, Community and Education at Mount Royal University

10/19/2026

Dr. Deepali Upadhyaya presented at the 25th International Normal Labour and Birth Conference on September 16, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. Her presentation was entitled: "From Registration Barriers to Workforce Sustainability: Integrating Internationally Educated Midwives"

10/19/2026

Creating Meaningful Sparks with Our Communities:
Michelle Briegel sits on the Board of Directors for Child and Youth Care Associate of Alberta as President, Advanced Practice Committee.

10/19/2026

Child Studies student Aisyah Ghazali Recognized with Terry Fox Humanitarian Award

Ghazali was one of 15 students selected from over 3,300 applicants across Canada. The award provides up to $28,000 over four years to students who demonstrate community service, courage, determination and a commitment to helping others.

Read the webstory: https://www.mtroyal.ca/AboutMountRoyal/MediaRoom/Stories/2026/09/aisyah-ghazali-terry-fox-humanitarian-award.htm

10/19/2026

Dr. Jared Fletcher was celebrated at Faculty Council for his new position as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Integrative Physiology and the Biomechanics of Locomotion. In case you missed it, read the webstory. Congratulations, Jared!

10/19/2026

Dr. Genevieve Currie was invited to speak at the Canadian Pediatric Society national conference on May 22, 2026: It takes a village: partnering with families to shape pediatric health for children with complex care needs. This presentation highlighted the realities faced by families caring for children and youth with complex care needs, and the significant challenges families encounter when medical and social care and educational system needs intersect. Drawing on research from caregivers across Canada, the session explored how we can build more coordinated, compassionate, and family-partnered strategies that provide meaningful support for both child and family. The dialogue and shared learning discussed how to engage with families effectively and build strong partnerships at both individual and systems levels that can improve care outcomes and enhance family well-being.

10/16/2026

During the Spring and Summer, Dr. Marva Ferguson attended international conferences in Montego Bay, Jamaica and (virtually) in the UK. In Jamaica, she attended the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2026, which focused on building stronger after a disaster. While at the conference, Marva met with students from Cornwall College High School and Ministers of government and discussed the impact of disaster on education. Information from the Diaspora conference will complement a scheduled conference on “Building Awareness through an Inclusive Approach about Disaster and Crisis Management in Social Work Practice” scheduled for November 6 at MRU. The conference will be an opportunity to discuss how social work education can begin to enquire, challenge and include the voices of racialised people in Disaster and Crisis Management in higher education, community and government levels, as well as examine potential research for future development.

Additionally, Marva presented and facilitated a session at the European Conference on Education, University College London and SOAS through the International Academic Forum (IAFOR). She presented on “I Saw the Sun Before You”, Histories Our Elders Carry... Nurturing Their Teachings, Culture and Wisdom for the Future." Her work reminded participants that elders are keepers of cultural beliefs and language and that narrative used to discuss the roles and functions of older adults should come from a position of empowerment.

10/16/2026

New publication co-authored by Dr. Marty Clark. Competitive Junior Golf in America: A Physical Cultural Study is a critical exploration of junior golf in twenty-first century America. Marty and his co-authors, Matt Hawzen and Ryan King-White, interrogate how junior golf has operated as a cultural and material force that reflects and reproduces deeply embedded social structures of race, class, and gender.

Published on September 17, 2026. Link to the publisher's website: https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/competitive-junior-golf-in-america-9781666958485/

10/16/2026

A combined effort between community advocates, donors, researchers and other professionals has led to the development and building of a new park in south Calgary specifically designed to meet the needs of those living with dementia.

Inside Southview Park in the community of Dover, you’ll now find the Martin Family Legacy Garden, the first ever dementia-inclusive park in Canada. The location was specifically chosen as it sits near the Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society and the Bethany Riverview care facility.

A grand opening was held on Sept. 21, World Alzheimer Day. Hundreds of people attended, including the people, organizations and researchers involved.

“It is fundamentally a place for natural caring,” says Dr. Sonya Jakubec, PhD, RN. The professor with MRU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery was one of many researchers who consulted on the project.

“We know that, for both people with any kind of dementia and their caregivers, time outside improves physical health as well as mood, anxiety, agitation, stress and sleep. We also know that time outside improves social relationships and a sense of belonging for people.”

Learn more about the park:

Martin Family Legacy Garden opens in south Calgary this fall

10/15/2026

Dr. Deepa Upadhyaya of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Midwifery program, was recently inducted into the 2026-2029 Board of the International Confederation of Midwives, representing the 35 countries of the Americas.

10/15/2026

Two HCE alumni are recipients of this years Outstanding Alumni Awards:Neepin Auger - Bachelor of Education - Elementary, 2015 (pictured left)Katie Samoil - Advanced Critical Care Nursing Certificate, 2011 (pictured right)

Congratulations Neepin Auger and Katie Samoil!

Read more (link in comments)