A nursing professor at the University of Northern British Columbia has received national recognition for her heart research and for mentoring and encouraging nurses across BC and Canada to engage in research. Davina Banner-Lukaris recently received the Cardiovascular Research Nursing Excellence Award from the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Montreal.

Media Download:UNBC Nursing Professor Davina Banner-Lukaris, seen here holding a model of a heart in the Nursing Lab at UNBC, was recently honoured for her research into heart disease treatment in Northern BC, and for her mentorship of other nurses.

The award is presented each year to a nurse who has conducted outstanding research in cardiovascular nursing, mentored others to appreciate and assist in the research process, and who serves as a role model for other nurses.

“It is a great honour for me,” says Dr. Banner-Lukaris, who is also the Chair of the Council’s Research Committee for BC and Yukon. “This work has been made possible by the dedicated nursing professionals and on-the-ground healthcare providers working in the North, so many of whom are graduates of UNBC, who have supported and participated in this research.”

Dr. Banner-Lukaris’ research involves atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that can cause debilitating symptoms and can lead to serious complications such as stroke. As part of her research, Dr. Banner-Lukaris has worked with healthcare providers and patients from communities across Northern BC.

Through her recent grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Alberta Rural Development Network, Davina has brought together front-line healthcare workers with researchers and administrators from across the country to explore how different models of healthcare delivery are being used and how we can learn from one another to improve the care of patients with heart conditions.

Dr. Banner-Lukaris, who came to UNBC from the UK in 2007, says UNBC’s partnerships with healthcare organizations and providers, in particular with Northern Health, are a great asset to the North.

“Everyone involved has a great, genuine desire to improve health in northern and rural communities.”