IWK's Dr. Marsha Campbell-Yeo recognized as health innovation pioneer

July 21, 2017

The IWK’s Dr. Marsha Campbell-Yeo has been named as one of the Canadian Nurses Association’s top 150 nurses from across Canada. The award recognizes those who pioneer health innovation in Canada and around the world.

"I am truly honoured to be recognized as one of Canada's 150 as a pioneer and advocate for excellence in improving healthcare for babies and their families,” said Campbell-Yeo. “I am inspired every day to work with colleagues who push the limits for innovation and change while remaining firmly committed to compassionate family integrated care."

Dr. Campbell-Yeo is a certified neonatal nurse practitioner, associate professor, and clinician scientist. Her research lab, where she supervises eight students (2 PhD Vanier Scholars), provides an interdisciplinary environment for innovative and non-invasive health-care interventions that engage families in the care of newborns. She is on the board of directors for the Canadian Pain Society and is an elected council member for the IASP Special Interest Group on Pain in Childhood. She is a recognized leader with over 50 publications and 30 invited presentations on the impact of maternal interventions and health outcomes of at-risk infants.

"We are so proud that Marsha has been recognized as a one of the 150 Nurses for Canada by the Canadian Nurses Association, " said Tracy Kitch, President and CEO, IWK Health Centre. "She is unquestionably an internationally recognized nurse leader who has focused her passion, en-ergy and talent on transforming neonatal care. Her clinical and scientific contributions, togeth-er with her relentless commitment to innovation, have set new standards for excellence and benefited families across the Maritimes, Canada and around the globe."

Through over 25 years of caring for babies and their families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Dr. Campbell-Yeo has spearheaded extensive research aimed at improving care for at-risk infants targeting ways to alleviate pain, stress and optimize neurodevelopment. Her ChezNICU Home Solution project arose from conversations with NICU parents seeking ways to maintain contact with and take a more active role in the care of their newborns.

The 150 Nurses for Canada includes strong public advocates and leaders in advancing a patient-integrated approach to quality health care through traditional, innovative or interprofessional practice. They inspire passion for nursing through their support of professional development by being mentors or advisors. The association is honouring 150 nurse innovators and champions in health care with profiles on their website.