A nursing professor who focuses her attention on improving heart health was recently presented with “the jewel” of awards that recognize top researchers in her faculty.

Susan Fox-Wasylyshyn, the faculty’s acting associate dean was given the Faculty of Nursing 2013 Research Excellence Award at an event held May 16 in the McPherson Lounge at Alumni Hall.

“She has an extremely good research program that’s focused mainly on cardio vascular health,” said nursing professor Maher El-Masri, the faculty’s research leadership chair. “She has also mentored a number of students and the quality of the work she has done with them is first-class.”

Dr. El-Masri said the Celebration of Nursing Research and Scholarship Excellence is held annually to recognize people who do “a lot of tremendous work throughout the year that sometimes goes unnoticed.” He said Dr. Fox-Wasylyshyn has made numerous contributions to the research culture of the nursing faculty as well as the broader community, citing her many publications, grants and conference presentations.

The faculty also presented community and college research partnership awards to Irene Carson of Windsor Regional Hospital and to Katharine Hungerford, a professor at Lambton College. Honourable mentions went to UWindsor nursing faculty members Judy Bornais, Michelle Freeman and Debbie Kane.

Anne Foote was also recognized as an outstanding graduate student. She received a research grant from the Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario Rolling Stones/CPI Awards for the Advancement of Professional Practice in Infection Control. She has also received the A.R. and E.G. Ferriss Graduate Endowment Award and the  Dr. Steve Radin VON Graduate Award.