Catriona Buick

Nursing Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director Dr. Trina (Catriona) Buick has received a of $130k for her project "Examination of Clinician and Patient Feasibility and Acceptability in the Utilization of Self-Collection of HPV self-sample within the Colposcopy Pathway.” This study explores the feasibility, adherence, and acceptability of HPV self-collection at home prior to colposcopy follow-up exams and aims to understand patients' and providers' views on its integration into the colposcopy care pathway. This is a crucial step before HPV self-collection can be widely implemented in colposcopy care pathway, helping to improve efficiency and safety in a resource-limited healthcare setting.

In recognition of Action Anxiety Day on June 10, the Faculty of Health is proud to share the impact of the Beneva Anxiety Research Fund.

The Anxiety Research Fund, powered by , was created with the goal of enhancing assessment and treatment supports for individuals coping with anxiety – a debilitating and frequently hidden affliction experienced by one in five Canadians. Thanks to Beneva, the largest mutual insurance company in Canada, this $725,000 investment in Faculty of Health research has supported critical, community-focused projects which aimed to better identify, manage and help reduce anxiety.

Four Faculty of Health research projects were funded by Beneva, combining a unique blend of community-engaged applied research, mobilization of research insights and community impact through psychological services.

Exposure Therapy Using Virtual Reality

With her team in York’s , School of Health Policy & Management Professor used virtual reality technology to pilot an Exposure Therapy program focused on anxiety experienced by people with epilepsy.

Retooling Black Youth Anxiety

Headed by School of Global Health Professor , this project addressed anxiety and mental health issues of Black youth and their families, resulting from encounters with the criminal justice system and the child welfare system.

Reducing Anxiety About HPV Tests

This School of Nursing project led by Professor focused on anxiety that is anticipated in response to upcoming revisions to Ontario’s Cervical Screening Guidelines. In other countries, anxiety has been minimized by introducing evidence-based communications with patients around Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer.

Decision-making in a Global Health Crisis

This project investigated how mental health issues can interfere with people’s compliance with important public health measures – such as mask wearing and vaccination – during a global pandemic. The team, led by Department of Psychology Professor , studied “delay discounting” (undervaluing or discounting future benefits when making health decisions).

It is with great excitement that we announce the hire of Dr. Candace W. Burton, PhD, RN, AFN-BC, FAAN to the role of Director and Associate Professor at the School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health.

With a PhD from University of California, San Francisco, and a solid foundation in nursing education, Dr. Burton will bring a visionary and student-centered lens to the School, extending its programing and building on a culture of collaboration. As the former Director of Doctoral Education and as Interim Associate Dean for Advanced Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Dr. Burton brings a wealth of experience to the role and is well positioned to grow and support the intellectual and teaching innovations that have become an integral part of the School’s approach to program delivery and research activity. She is a trained qualitative and mixed methodologist, and has published on the social determinants of health, structural violence, trauma-informed care, and the trauma of violence and abuse. Her program of research on stress and the intersection of trauma and health disparities aligns with broader priorities and research initiatives in the Faculty of Health, and will support and help build on established community partnerships in the School of Nursing. Dr. Burton will join żě˛ĄĘÓƵ on July 1, 2025.

At this time we wish to also sincerely acknowledge the dedication and commitment of outgoing Director Dr. Claire Mallette, who will be beginning a well-earned sabbatical term June 30, 2025. Claire has served as Director on two occasions (2010-2015, and 2022-2025), and has provided tireless leadership during many significant changes to both undergraduate and graduate programs at the School. Most recently, this includes the implementation of revised and accelerated BScN curricula, a post-Master’s diploma for nursing practitioners, and a virtual simulation lab. During her tenure she has mentored many faculty members as they transitioned to academia, and has served collegially on many Faculty and university committees - we are grateful to Claire for her service over so many years.

We would like to thank the School’s search team, led by Dr. Lisa Seto-Nielsen, for their diligent work during the last few months.

Please welcome Dr. Candace Burton to the Faculty of Health and School of Nursing. We look forward to working together as we build a healthy world for all!

Chris Ardern, Interim Dean
Faculty of Health

Since 2021, the , which represents students affiliated with Calumet College at żě˛ĄĘÓƵ (primarily students in global health, health studies, and psychology), has made three substantial gifts to the Faculty of Health totalling $225,000.

The Faculty of Health would like to thank the Calumet College Council for these generous gifts which will benefit many students and further the Council's goals of fostering a collaborative, student-driven community that promotes personal growth, academic success, and well-being.

About the Awards

Student Life Award

Established in 2021, the Council continues to support Calumet-affiliated undergraduate peer leaders who have gone above and beyond to support students through the Student Life Award with a $50,000 donation.

Research Travel Conference Bursary Award

In 2025, using their own Council funds, the Calumet Council also established a perpetual Research Travel Conference Bursary Award with a $100,000 donation. This award is designed to address a significant gap in undergraduate research funding, assisting students with expenses related to travelling to peer-reviewed conferences to present undergraduate research projects. This award is open to Calumet College-affiliated and engaged students and aims to spark more interest, innovation, and inspiration for students to pursue their dreams to present at prestigious academic research conferences while having less financial burden.

Faculty of Health Emergency Bursary

Recognizing that many Faculty of Health students encounter unforeseen financial constraints that may deter them from performing well academically, the Council set-up perpetual financial support of $75,000 for students through the establishment of the Faculty of Health Emergency Bursary. The bursary is open to all undergraduate students in the Faculty of Health who are affiliated with Calumet or Stong Colleges.

Applications for the bursary can be made by completing the .

I’m ecstatic and humbled that Calumet College Council has contributed immensely to student success and engagement in the Faculty of Health. These awards will have a long term impact on various aspect of undergraduate students’ lives from research support to emergency assistance.

-€” Jennine Rawana, Head of Calumet College

About the 2024-25 Calumet College Council

The is a student-led government with the aim of creating an environment where students can access the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. Through leadership, inclusivity, and responsible advocacy, the Council aims to bring positive change within and outside the broader YorkU community.

As President for the 2024-2025 academic year, Fadzha Abam and her executive team co-led Council’s vision and goals for the 2024-2025 academic year. For example, the Council adapted and integrated the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) into its vision and sustainability goals whereby projects supporting UN SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health & Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure) were initiated. Notably, the Council established food-security initiatives collaborating with various stakeholders throughout the year to address food insecurity on and off-campus.