HIGHLIGHTS

• Expertise in development of measurement tools and surveys
• Expertise in midwifery and reproductive health research
• Strong publication record: 100+ peer reviewed publications – Citations: 6590; H index: 42; i10-index: 73
• Strong understanding of participatory action research, community engagement approaches
• Twenty years of experience working with clinicians on research and policy projects

 

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Studies: Nursing, midwifery, public health, University of British Columbia (graduated June 2012)

M.A. Family Studies, University of British Columbia (graduated December 2004)

B.A.  Psychology, Simon Fraser University (graduated October 1999)

Certificate in Psychologically Safe Leadership, University of New Brunswick (completed February 2022)

 

RESEARCH LEADERSHIP

Lead researcher – Midwifery clients with complex care needs: A mixed methods study (2020-2022)

The purpose of the study is to provide an evidence base to guide policy decisions about improving access to midwifery care for clients with complex needs in BC. The study has several components including:

• a scoping review to understand how complexity in pregnancy is conceptualized in the literature, 
• a retrospective cohort study of perinatal outcomes of midwifery clients with different prenatal risk profiles, 
• focus groups with Indigenous and rural midwives, to better understand barriers to practice

Lead, Sustainable Midwifery Practice Taskforce (2019-2021)

Informed by two years of data collection with BC midwives and midwifery leaders across the country, the Sustainable Midwifery Practice Taskforce used an appreciative inquiry framework to identify solutions to occupational stress and burnout among BC midwives. The project resulted in a report that includes actionable recommendations at all levels, from government to the individual midwife, to help improve the sustainability of midwifery as a career in BC and enhance the wellbeing of BC midwives.

Lead investigator, International Childbirth Attitudes- Prior to Pregnancy Study Team (2014 -2020)

• Coordinated 15+ midwifery and nursing faculty and trainees in 8 countries, to collaboratively collect, analyze and disseminate data; led data linkage and analysis
• Coordinated and supported publication of 15 manuscripts

 

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Senior Research Associate, Birth Place Lab, UBC Faculty of Medicine (Dec 2017 – current, with break between November 2021-April 2023) 

• Provide strategic direction for all research & evaluation activities at the lab
• Co-lead study design, data analysis and manuscript/grant development activities at the lab
• Hired, supervised and mentored students and staff at various stages of career
• Ensured that the voices of people marginalized by colonialism, racism and discrimination were centered throughout all research activities
• Committed to life-long learning about anti-racism and anti-oppression and achieving equity and inclusion in academic environments

Evaluation Advisor/Coordinator, Centre for Rural Health Research, University of British Columbia (UBC)  (November 2021- March 2023)

• Coordinate evaluation, to assess safety & efficacy of an intervention to increase surgical capacity and sustainability at rural hospitals in BC (Rural Surgical and Obstetrical Networks-25 million dollar investment in rural hospitals)
• Supervise staff & students
• Co-lead KT strategy with evaluation pillar, i.e. identify journals, analyze data or supervise data analysis, draft, edit and revise manuscripts etc.

Research Associate, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital (2017-2018, part time)

Research Coordinator & Consultant, Midwifery Education Program, UBC (2005-2008,2010-2017)

 

CONSULTING ROLES

Consultant, Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (2020-2023)

• Conducted literature & jurisdictional review of self-assessments (SA) in midwifery
• Supported consensus building activities, to identify competencies for inclusion in SA tool
• Created self-assessment items for each competency
• Advised on validation of self-assessment tool

 Research Consultant, Canadian Association of Midwives & UNFPA (2020-2022)

• Created surveys for educators, clinicians and students, to evaluate effectiveness of midwifery education in Somalia & Somaliland
• Analyzed findings and completed report
• Developed two research and evidence-based practice courses, to fill gaps in curriculum
• Collaborated with multiple stakeholders, to achieve project objectives

Research Consultant, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia (2019-current)

• Led provincial analysis of perinatal outcomes of childbearing people with high BMI, to better understand use of interventions and perinatal outcomes of childbearing people affected by obesity but at low risk for complications (as determined by the Edmonton Obesity Staging System)
• Worked closely with BIPOC Midwifery Student Collective on a project investigating the effects of racially-provoked stressors on the learning experiences and retention of midwifery students at UBC.

Coach – Rural Obstetrical and Maternity (ROAM) Sustainability Program (2020-2021)

• Supported maternity team at Lady Minto Hospital (Salt Spring Island) to develop data collection tool, to track patients who were transferred off Island and to identify ways to improve the transfer process

Research Consultant, Midwives Association of BC & College of BC Midwives (2017 – 2021)

• Participated in quality assurance committee of College of BC Midwives
• Acted as researcher consultant on mixed methods study to identify barriers that midwives encounter when applying for hospital privileges
• Co-developed and analyzed surveys about workforce issues for Midwives Association of BC
• Led evaluation of collaborative care programs (College of BC Midwives)

Research Consultant, Children’s Foundation (January 2016- April 2017)

Research Consultant, Centre for Rural Health Research (January 2008 – May 2011)

• Analyzed survey data and large perinatal data sets
• Support manuscript development
• Participated in field work

Research Consultant, Access to Media Education Society/ Health Canada (January 2005 – May 2006)

• Co-developed tobacco survey for immigrant and refugee youth
• Analyzed data and presented survey results, so that immigrant and refugee youth could use the data, to inform creation of anti-smoking television and print advertisements
• Co-developed evaluation framework and trained youth, to conduct telephone surveys, to assess reach and effectiveness of ads

 

TEACHING ROLES

European Master of Science in Midwifery Program, Hanover Medical School, Germany (Dec 2011 – July 2014)

• Taught advanced research methods course to midwifery graduate students each year
• Provided weekly bilingual research and data analysis support to midwifery graduate students completing their thesis research
• Worked with graduate students from all over Europe, on a range of different research projects

 Instructor/supervisor of Midwifery Senior Research Project, Division of Midwifery, UBC (Sept 2016 – Present)

• Taught a five-credit research course to midwifery students at UBC
• Supported students to complete research projects (systematic reviews, scoping reviews or secondary analysis of data) and supported publication process.

UBC Medical Undergraduate Education FLEX Supervisor (April 2019 – current)

• Supervise research activities of medical students

Graduate Teacher’s Assistant (September 2001 – May 2004)
School of Social Work & Family Studies, University of British Columbia

 

COMMITTEE & VOLUNTEER WORK

Co-Editor in Chief (March 2007 –May 2012) – Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research & Practice

 

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Between 1997 and 2005 I was employed in social services, first working with adults with dual diagnoses (1997-2001) and then residents of the Downtown East Side of Vancouver with multiple barriers. I was also active in community research with various NGO’s between 2004-2005, i.e. I worked with the Social Planning & Research Council of BC and the Center for Policy Alternatives on a Canada-wide study of food insecurity among low income families.