The University of British Columbia Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Joan Bottorff as Dean of the UBC Okanagan Faculty of Health and Social Development, effective September 1.
Dr. Bottorff has been a faculty member in the School of Nursing at UBC’s Vancouver campus since 1992. In addition, she has served as an Affiliate Scientist with the B.C. Cancer Agency since 2001. Dr. Bottorff is known internationally for her work on health promotion in the field of cancer control for individuals, families, and communities. The program of research she is leading on tobacco reduction and cessation addresses one of the leading health priorities in Canada and makes use of innovative methodological approaches. Her research on tobacco use among pregnant and postpartum women has uncovered previously unrecognized barriers to maintaining tobacco reduction that are situated in complex couple routines and interactions. Based on these findings, she is leading a research team in the redesign of interventions to support smoking cessation. She is also involved in projects examining tobacco use among vulnerable groups including adolescents, cancer patients, and the mentally ill.
UBC Okanagan will welcome its first students in September. The Faculty of Health and Social Development at UBC Okanagan will offer unique inter-professional and interdisciplinary educational programming and research as well as inter-professional practice opportunities within a community-based framework. The Faculty will offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work degrees and will collaborate with other faculties to offer interdisciplinary Master’s and Doctoral programs. Program development is currently under way to create areas of study that will lead to new graduate degrees in Nursing and Social Work and a Bachelor of Human Kinetics. In 2009, degrees in Medicine will be added to the offerings at UBC Okanagan.
“Dr. Bottorff brings with her an impressive research background in cancer prevention and screening in addition to a unique combination of experience working at health centres and post-secondary institutions in Canada and Australia,” says Dr. Barry McBride, UBC Okanagan Deputy Vice Chancellor. “This faculty is an important part of our commitment to growth as a student-centred, research-informed university, and Dr. Bottorff’s research and teaching experience will help lead the way.”
Further announcements will continue to be made on key appointments as UBC Okanagan moves toward its official opening on Sept. 8, 2005.
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