This section of the AGNA site is devoted to recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in their nursing careers.
Dr. Kathleen Hunter
We are pleased to recognize Dr. Kathleen Hunter, who was recently awarded an Honorary Lifetime CGNA
Membership. She has held numerous positions on the boards of AGNA’s Edmonton Chapter, the Provincial Board,
and has chaired or co-chaired two of the most successful biennial conferences for CGNA.
Dr. Hunter is currently a Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta and
is seconded from the university one day a week to the Specialized Geriatric Services at
the Glenrose Hospital in the Continence Clinic. As a NP she sees and treats older people
with continence challenges. Kathleen has also been the coordinator for the NP program at the
Faculty of Nursing, teaches graduate NP courses and a gerontology course. Her work with
graduate students in their masters and PhD programs has supported them in developing research
related to older people. Through her connections to students and in her program of research, Dr.
Hunter is advancing evidence-based care related to NP and care of older people. Kathleen makes research fun and
applicable to everyday practice.
Dr. Hunter’s program of research focuses on continence care for older adults, the
interplay between continence issues and other geriatric symptom syndrome such as falls and
dementia, older adult transitions between community and hospital and advanced practice
nursing. In 2014, Dr. Hunter received the Canadian Association for Nursing Research
Practitioner Researcher Award, highlighting how the excellence of her research contributes to
nursing knowledge.
Kathleen has been a mentor, a coach, and a role model for many past and current AGNA members. We are
honoured she is a member of our organization. We are thankful for all her professional and personal contributions.
Dr. Sharon Moore
As a past President for the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA) and a current member of the CGNA Conference Committee, Dr. Moore’s contributions to seniors care and nursing practice has been extensive. Dr. Moore’s membership with CGNA is long-standing and she has held many leadership positions as a CGNA member. Dr. Moore’s unwavering commitment to enhancing care for seniors in Canada has been recognized by many others. She has received several awards including Creative Arts Award for Photography from International Federation on Aging (Prague, Czech Republic), Mary Morrison Davis Award of Excellence in Gerontology, CIHR Betty Havens Award for Knowledge Translation in Aging (co-recipient), Nominee for Premier's Awards in Health Studies for Graduates of Ontario College's of Applied Arts & Technologies, Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award Mount Royal College, Team Leadership Award National Chair Academy, Excellence in Mental Health Nursing Award, Outstanding PhD Graduate Student Award, University of Texas at Austin, and the Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction. As an exemplar nursing leader, Dr. Moore has inspired many of us to follow her pursuit of excellence in gerontological nursing.
Sandra P. Hirst
Sandra P. Hirst RN, Ph.D., GNC(C) is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary. She has held a number of leadership positions in gerontology including: President of the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association; President of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, and President of the Alberta Association of Gerontology.
Sandra recently completed a three-year appointment from the Prime Minister to sit on the National Seniors Council. Her areas of research and related scholarship focus on abuse and neglect of older adults, and the experiences of older adults who reside in long term care facilities. Sandra was appointed as Director of the newly established Centre in the late summer of 2008.
Sandra received an Honorary Member award from the Alberta Gerontological Nurses Association (AGNA) several years ago and more recently received a Lifetime Achievement award from the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta.