TRU faculty member honoured with international nursing and midwifery fellowship

Dr. Melba D’Souza, an associate professor in TRU’s School of Nursing, has been awarded the Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FFNMRCSI). The fellowship is one of the highest international professional honours in nursing and midwifery.

The award recognizes senior leaders whose careers show sustained excellence in education, research, clinical practice and service. For D’Souza, whose work spans more than two decades, it highlights her impact across Canada, Ireland, the Middle East and South Asia. Her established research in psychosocial oncology, cancer survivorship, immigrant and refugee health, rural and aging populations and equity-focused approaches to care impacts healthcare policy.

D’Souza’s teaching and mentorship have shaped learners at all levels and boundaries through justice-centred and culturally responsive education in complex settings. This exemplary work aligns with TRU’s role as a dual-sector research university, helping connect academic learning with clinical practice and community health systems.

Dr. Melba D’Souza, associate professor in TRU’s School of Nursing, after receiving the Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Reflecting on the recognition, D’Souza said the fellowship holds both personal and collective meaning.

“The Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI, is a personal honour and a recognition of the collective work of students, teachers, colleagues, communities, professionals and people who have shaped my journey,” she said.

“I hope it inspires nurses and scholars in Canada, Ireland and around the world to lead with courage, compassion and integrity and to believe that equity-driven education, scholarship and service can transform healthcare systems and lives.”

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland noted D’Souza’s academic leadership, strong research program and innovative contributions to teaching, practice and mentorship. Her work, grounded in implementation science and participatory methods, has influenced clinical practice, policy conversations and community-based oncology models of care. She is a keynote presenter at international conferences, collaborated across disciplines and impacted global partnerships focused on health equity and cancer supportive and survivorship care.

D’Souza also guides practitioners, clinicians, educators and emerging researchers, helping build capacity across nursing, public health and related fields. Her outstanding service includes work with ethics boards, professional associations and community organizations. These novel achievements reflect her long-standing commitment to social accountability and equity-oriented care, and her dedication to strengthening the future of nursing locally and globally.

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