Dean’s Medal for the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Regina

The recently-minted and re-designed Dean’s Medal for the Faculty of Nursing is a beautifully designed honour awarded in recognition of exemplary achievement in nursing education. 

“Nursing is a profession that is both a science and an art,” said Cheryl Pollard, Dean, Faculty of Nursing. “Science is the foundation of nursing but nursing is fundamentally about relationships, about supporting patients and families in need.  And in today’s challenging and complex healthcare environment, the nursing profession and specialties within nursing are essential to streamlining healthcare and providing patients with the best in medical care throughout their lives.”

Pollard added that the symbolism of the Dean’s Medal is steeped in tradition, and honours the history of Saskatchewan nursing education. The cross at the top of the medal represents service and sacrifice, reinforcing the University of Regina motto, “As one who serves”.   The circular shape of the Dean’s Medal represents the unity and wholeness required of nurses, circling back to the essential work nurses do.

Wheat sheafs enfold the medal to symbolize abundance, life, hard work, renewal and community.  The centre of the medal symbolizes the University of Regina coat of arms, while the coronets represent the “Queen City” of Regina.  The wheat is from the coat of arms for the Province of Saskatchewan, and the book illustrated the university as a centre of learning.  The colors green and gold echo the colors of both the University of Regina and the Province of Saskatchewan Coat of Arms.  

This year’s award recipient is Jaimee Dowdeswell, who is also the recipient of the Dr. Sheila Dresen Prize in Nursing as the most distinguished graduate from the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan Gold Medal for Excellence in Clinical Practice.

The Dean’s Medal also honours the history of nursing in Saskatchewan.  Nursing education began as hospital-based training more than 120 years ago at the Regina Victoria hospital in 1902. Over the years it evolved through the university’s Department of Education until it became its own faculty in 2009.