University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences

It is with heavy hearts that the Faculty of Health Sciences recognizes the passing of Una Ridley, dean emerita.

Many know of Ridley through the Una Ridley Lecture Series, named in honour of her lasting impact on the University of Lethbridge. Ridley became the dean of what was then the School of Nursing in 1987. During her tenure, she led the development of Canada's first bachelor's program in addictions counselling, championed the creation of a collaborative nursing bachelor's degree between ULethbridge, Medicine Hat College and Lethbridge College (now Lethbridge Polytechnic) and expanded the School of Nursing into the School of Health Sciences, which now lives on as the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Ridley was a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal recipient, the first Black president of the Council of the College of Nurses of Ontario and a beloved colleague and friend.

In the words of Dr. Shannon Spenceley (BN '84), professor emerita and former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences:

"Una was a visionary, wise, patient, supportive and practical leader. She had lived through and ultimately transcended so many barriers to her success as a nurse and a leader — how could she be otherwise? She was also strategic, fierce and driven. And yet, if Una were sitting next to me right now, she would 'tut tut' at that description of her gifts and ask instead, 'Are you having any fun?' I will miss my first academic 'boss,' who was also my mentor and good friend. My most profound memories of her will forever stem from her sense of humour and her confidence that shared laughter is the glue that holds teams — or faculties — together."

We extend our deep gratitude for all the ways Ridley contributed to the growth of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and our heartfelt condolences to Ridley's family and community who continue her legacy.

Are you a graduate of the Indigenous Health (formerly Aboriginal Health) program in the Faculty of Health Sciences at ULethbridge? We want to hear from you!

We want to showcase our programs' alumni success stories and the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our graduates and the fields and sectors where they work.

Whether you completed the four-year route or entered the program through the post-diploma pathway and are working in the field and sector, share your story with us and support future students and community partners in understanding the impact of Indigenous Health education.

If you would like to be featured, get your headshots taken and participate in a short video project, simply fill out the survey below or email Selena Medicine Shield at [email protected]. Participation in the initial survey will be confidential and will not involve the collection of personal information. Alumni who express interest in participating in the video project will be directed to a separate voluntary form to provide contact details for scheduling. Please express your interest in the video project no later than Friday, July 31.

The survey link is: https://uleth.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1FdYbHncuvdm6Am

Did you know that there is a special ceremony for nursing students at Convocation? 🩺

At Convocation, all graduating nurses receive a pin from a nursing alumni, marking the culmination of their education and their debut into the community. This tradition, dating as far back as the 12th century and with ties to famous nurses like Florence Nightingale, is an important rite of passage for our graduating cohort.

With speeches from faculty, including Dr. Shannon Vandenberg (BN '08, MSc ( N ) '13, PhD '24), Liz Cernigoy and Jason Wengel, Nursing Students' Association - University of Lethbridge (NSA) President and new nursing graduate Nicolas Yagos (BN '26), and University of Lethbridge Alumni Kelly Baskerville (BN '01) and Leo Ochieng (BN '24), the event represented the diverse and welcoming community the new alumni are entering.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

📸 Photos by Matthew Bruce from Aspire Photography & Film and Olivia Roest.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓🎉

Convocation is a day of well-deserved celebration, signifying the completion of years of hard work and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your lives.

We hope you take time to reflect on your academic achievements and how much you have grown, the community you have built during your time at ULethbridge, and all those who supported you along the way.

We are cheering for you as you take the next step in your journey.

Fiat Lux!

Dr. Kerry B. Godfrey
Dr. Jackie Rice
Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch
Dr. Lisa Starr
Dr. Harold Jansen
Dr. Jon Doan
Dr. Matthew Letts

University of Lethbridge Deans

Brianna Bagalay (BN ’25) enjoyed her community health practicum so much that she visited the seniors she cared for weekly — even after her rotation ended.

After witnessing the care and knowledge of nurses first-hand, she chose to pursue nursing to combine her interest in biology and medicine with her desire to help people.

Bagalay leads with positivity and kindness. She uses her role as a nurse to advocate for her patients and build lasting relationships.

Read her whole story here: https://buff.ly/jLPCZTz

For Afifa Islam, public health was not the plan.

Afifa entered the ULethbridge After-Degree Public Health program to gain a competitive edge when applying for nursing programs.

Fast forward to becoming one of Calgary campus’ first Student Wellness Ambassadors, volunteering with the Association for the Advancement of Science and Engineering Education (AASEE) and preparing for her practicum at a women’s health research lab, she has a new goal: epidemiology.

Between her coursework, volunteering and community engagement, Afifa has worked hard to get where she is.

Follow Afifa’s journey at https://buff.ly/NeCsxUF

Research plays a key role in public health.

With Dr. Richard Larouche, practicum students analyzed data from interviews, wrote a paper on their findings and were published in the Active Travel Studies journal.

For applications to scholarships, fellowships and graduate programs, having research credits can be a huge advantage for students.

April 6 to 10 is National Public Health Week. See the full story: https://buff.ly/udfAQ5d

Hands-on experience is fundamental to the Public Health program.

From discovering a food-borne illness outbreak in a shelter to triaging a ferry crash, students can gain valuable experience navigating scenarios pulled from real life.

Students can also elect to complete a practicum in the community. Working in local schools, with organizations like Pro-Choice YQL or analyzing data for the provincial government, practicums offer the chance to make connections in the industry.

“We think these placements are so valuable for students because they give them real-world experience,” says instructor Keltie Hamilton.

April 6 to 10 is National Public Health Week. See the full story: https://buff.ly/udfAQ5d

National Public Health Week is April 6 to 10.

Public health is the study of how to prevent illness on a large scale. At ULethbridge, our unique program includes a two-year post-diploma and a four-year undergraduate program – the only one of its kind in Alberta.

With a combination of classroom learning, immersive health simulations and research and community practicums, the ULethbridge program offers an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and real-world connections across both campuses.

See the full story: https://buff.ly/udfAQ5d

On behalf of the WNRCASN 2026 Conference Planning Committee, we invite you to the Western North-Western Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (WNRCASN) Conference, which will be held from April 26 to 28, 2026, in Lethbridge, Alberta. It will be co-hosted by Lethbridge Polytechnic and the University of Lethbridge through the Nursing Education in Southern Alberta (NESA) program.

This year’s theme, Bridging Practice and Possibility: Advancing Nursing Education for the Future, will bring together nursing educators, scholars, students, and academic leaders from across Western and Northern Canada. The event will focus on innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of nursing education.