Prof gets research chair

Photo: Contributed

A UBC Okanagan researcher will get five more years as Canada Research Chair in health, ethics and diversity.

Barb Pesut is an associate professor in the School of Nursing at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

She has spent her career working on ways to improve the quality of end-of-life healthcare – specifically for people who are at risk for health disparities due to geographic, cultural or social differences.

She will receive an additional $500,000 over the next five years to support an interdisciplinary research lab.

“This funding is so central to building research capacity in Canada,” says Pesut. “It supports a climate where we can focus on developing the talented students who will be our future research leaders.”

Her research team at UBCO focuses on finding ways to support older adults to age and die at home, particularly those residing in rural communities.

“Canada is at a critical juncture in relation to palliative care," says Pesut. "Projects planned involve students, colleagues, and partners from across Canada and internationally, in designing and testing strategies to improve palliative and end-of-life care for those living with life-limiting chronic illness.”

“We are delighted that Dr. Pesut’s important work in this area will continue to be supported through the CRC program,” says vice-principal of research at UBCO, Phil Barker.

“There is a critical need to improve palliative care, particularly in rural communities, and this CRC renewal will enable her and her team to have an important impact on the delivery of end-of-life care.”