Saint Mary’s joins consortium offering Masters in Applied Health Services Research

Saint Mary’s University has been approved by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission to join a consortium of Atlantic Canadian universities offering a Masters in Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) program.

The interdisciplinary program is in collaboration with Memorial University, the University of Prince Edward Island and University of New Brunswick.

“I am extremely pleased and excited that Saint Mary’s have joined with UPEI, UNB and MUN in the Master of Applied Health Service Research program,” said Dr. Kevin Vessey, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at Saint Mary’s. “Saint Mary’s has excellent research being pursued in health care systems, patient outcomes, and social, cultural and environmental factors that affect the health of populations, but this is our first graduate program where health is the main focus.”

The MAHSR program is completed over a two-year period and includes eight web-based courses, workshops, a residency and thesis research.

Dr. Lucie Kocum, Saint Mary’s Psychology Professor is the program coordinator at Saint Mary’s. She says through the program students are trained by scholars of diverse disciplines and will acquire the necessary skills to investigate complex health systems.

“The training prepares students for a variety of careers, including health policy research and administration,” she says.

The program is also the first academic program being hosted by one of Saint Mary’s research centres, specifically the CN Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Funded by the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation and in partnership with Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit, the MAHSR program comes at an important time in Nova Scotia, where this type of research could lead to improvements in the services provided by a health care system that faces may challenges now and in the future.

“The MAHSR is a great collaboration that will educate experts for leadership positions in health services careers, as well as contribute to fundamental and applied research that will improve health and health care delivery in Nova Scotia and beyond,” says Dr. Vessey.

Tom Brophy named Senior Director, Student Services

Tom Brophy

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Brophy the Senior Director, Student Services at Saint Mary’s.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Brophy to Saint Mary’s and his new position,” said Dr. Summerby-Murray. “With his expansive experience, Tom is well positioned to build upon and lead our strong Student Services team.”

Brophy comes to Saint Mary’s from Brandon University where he spent the last three years as Associate Vice-President, Student Services, Enrolment Management and University Registrar. While at Brandon he led the development of Brandon’s first-ever strategic plan for student services and registrarial services, oversaw the Indigenous People’s Centre and guided the development of the Success 1 Transition Year program to improve retention rates for academically at-risk students. He was also instrumental in an initiative that successfully engaged all universities, colleges and school boards in Manitoba to commit to an Indigenous Education Blueprint to improve Indigenous student experience and academic outcomes. 

Before coming to Brandon University Brophy spent 14 years working in student services at Memorial University. He holds a Master of Education degree from Memorial with a specialization in post-secondary education.  He also worked for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, serving as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Finance and a Policy Advisor to the Minister of Health and Community Services

Brophy will join the University Community effective September 26th.

Saint Mary's community mourns the passing of Archbishop James Martin Hayes

On behalf of Saint Mary's University, President Robert Summerby-Murray expresses  condolences on the passing of Archbishop Emeritus James Martin Hayes on August 2, 2016 at the age of 92.

Archbishop Hayes received a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s in 1943, in addition to honorary degrees from many universities. While serving as the ninth Archbishop of Halifax from 1967 to 1990, he also served as Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University.

The eldest child of Leonard James and Rita (Bates) Hayes, Fr. James was raised near Halifax in Herring Cove, Nova Scotia. He is remembered as a kind, well-respected leader and an effective advocate for the renewal of the whole Church. Ordained to the priesthood in 1947 at the age of 23, Archbishop Hayes was a guiding influence in the ecumenical movement. He helped create the Atlantic School of Theology in March 1971, where Catholics and Protestant denominations have studied together for more than four decades. This was the first time that three denominations united to form one educational institution in Canada. Today, Saint Mary’s University values its important relationship with the Atlantic School of Theology.

Archbishop Hayes retired as Archbishop of Halifax in 1990 and entered into full-time ministry caring for the sick and the dying, as Chaplain in Palliative Care at QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax until his retirement from this ministry in 2012.

Ceremony celebrates BNUZ relationship

Saint Mary's University has a long-standing relationship with Beijing Normal University – Zhuhai (BNUZ). For the past two years Saint Mary’s students have spent six weeks at Zhuhai during the summer months studying business, Chinese language and other programs.

Saint Mary’s is hosting a conference from July 16h - July 31st welcoming a delegation from BNUZ comprised of faculty and administrators for a 14-day summer institute focused on the intercultural exploration of strategies and best practices in university teaching and administration. This is the second year BNUZ has visited Saint Mary’s for this informative institute.
 
On Friday, Saint Mary’s held a tree ceremony to celebrate the university’s partnership with BNUZ.

Left to right: The Hon. Lena Diab, NS Minister of Immigration, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murrary, President of St. Mary’s University, MLA Joachim Stroink, Dr. Ailan Fu, Vice President & Provost, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai

Seven Sons Flower Tree

A member ofHoneysuckle family, this rare tree is endemic to China. It was discovered in 1907. Only nine populations are remain in the wild in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces and threatened by habitat loss but is now nationally protected. The tree grows up to 7m high and has white flowers with the fragrance of Jasmine. The nectar is appreciated by butterflies and moths. Purple-red fruits form in the autumn that have showy sepals.

SMU community bids farewell to BNUZ guests

On Friday, July 29 the Saint Mary's community bade a fond farewell to a group of delegates from Beijing Normal University – Zhuhai (BNUZ).

The closing ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, songs, gift exchanges and many personal reflections between new friends.

The group came to Saint Mary’s from China for a 14-day summer institute focused on intercultural exploration of strategies and best practices in university teaching and administration.

In addition to discussing perspectives on teaching and administration, the delegates enjoyed tours and events featuring Nova Scotian culture.

This is the second year for the event.

Learn more about the visit.

Related

Saint Mary’s holds tree ceremony to celebrate partnership with BNUZ