Nurse educator is UVic's newest dean

Purkis

Dr. Mary Ellen Purkis, current director of the school of nursing, has been appointed dean of human and social development effective July 1.

A former practising nurse who received her BN and RN from the University of Calgary and an MSc and PhD in nursing from the University of Edinburgh, Purkis joined UVic’s school of nursing in 1993. She was appointed its director in 2001.

Prior to joining UVic, Purkis served on the nursing faculty at the University of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat College.

Purkis is a scholar in the area of nursing practice, education, and the effects of contemporary health promotion and self-care on nursing practices. She’s currently vice-chair of the Nurse Educator’s Council of B.C. and chairs the nominations committee of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.

Purkis is actively involved in graduate education, both as a supervisor and a committee member, and has an active program of ongoing research. She has considerable experience in distance and distributed education and has contributed to many administrative committees at the university.

“The search committee was impressed with Mary Ellen’s intellectual capacity, breadth of experience, professionalism and commitment to the school, the faculty and the university,” says Jamie Cassels, vice president academic and provost. “She’s clearly dedicated to the advancement of teaching and scholarship in the university.”