Mary Ellen Andrews, MN, PhD, College of Nursing, Thesis title: "Dementia Care in Northern Nursing Practice", Supervisors: Debra Morgan and Norma Stewart.

Mary Ellen Andrews explored dementia care from the perspective of registered nurses who work in northern Saskatchewan. 

Anita Bergen, MSc. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Thesis Title: "Dementia Care for Residents in Rural Nursing Homes: A Process Evaluation of the Enhancing Care Program," Supervisors: Debra Morgan, Kathryn Green.

Although there have been studies in the past about this care program, Anita Bergen is focusing on the rural experience in small facilities.  The Enhancing Care Program was effective in increasing communication, empowering staff to initiate change, and in sensitizing staff to the unique needs of residents with dementia. 

Allison Cammer, MSc., Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Thesis title: "Negotiating Culturally Incongruent Healthcare Systems: The Process of Accessing Dementia Care in Northern Saskatchewan,"  Supervisors: Debra Morgan and Bonnie Janzen.

Allison Cammer examined access to dementia care services by older adults in northern Saskatchewan.

Patrick Corney, Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, 2008 Thesis Title: "Attention in Normal Aging and Alzheimer's Disease".

Supervisor: Margaret Crossley.

Melanie Funk, Year 1 Physiotherapy Student. University of Saskatchewan.

In the summer of 2004 Melanie completed a project titled:  Development of a Protocol for Longitudinal Assessment of Physical Fitness and Gait in Seniors Referred to a Rural and Remote Memory Clinic.

In 2007 the research was published in the Canadian Journal on Aging.

Supervisor: Debra Morgan

Nicole Haugrud, Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Working Thesis Title: "Strategy Use During Speeded Verbal Fluency Tasks in Normal Aging and Dementia."  Supervisor: Margaret Crossley.

Nicole Haugrud is undertaking research that examines clustering and switching strategies on verbal fluency tests by persons with Alzheimer's Disease.  This analysis may further our understanding of both healthy aging, and the course of cognitive decline in dementia. Some of this research has been published in the journal Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition.

Marcie Heggie, Year 1 Medical Student. University of Saskatchewan

In the summer of 2008 Marcie completed a project titled:Quality of Life in Early Stage Dementia:  Longitudinal Analysis of Patient and Family Caregiver Ratings. The study findings were published in The International Journal of Social Research and Practice.

Supervisor: Debra Morgan

Julie Kosteniuk, PhD, Psychiatry
Postdoctoral Fellow, Debra Morgan supervisor
Project: "Dementia Diagnosis and Management: Advancing Strategies to Support Rural and Remote Primary Healthcare Professionals"

Julie is also a member of the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic Data team.
julie.kosteniuk@usask.ca

Catherine Lacny, medical student, University of Saskatchewan.

In the Summer of 2010 Catherine Lacny completed a project titled: Effect of Day Length on Cognitive Performance in Dementia. The study findings were published in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Kirk

Shawnda Lanting, Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Working Thesis title: "Developing an Assessment Protocol to Detect Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Aboriginal Seniors and to Investigate Cultural Differences in Cognitive Aging," Supervisors: Margaret Crossley. Some of Shawnda's thesis research has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology.

Shawnda Lanting is developing an assessment protocol to detect cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal seniors and to investigate cultural differences in cognitive aging.  The utility of several existing tests developed for cross-cultural assessment are being evaluated in the clinic, along with an adaptation of another existing measure. 

Lisa Lejbak - University of Saskatchewan.

In 2004 Lisa developed the first "Clinical Guidelines and Related Research for Dementia Diagnoses" manual for use in the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic. The manual was updated in 2010(link goes to 0.2 MB pdf) and remains an important tool for the Clinic members.

Supervisors: Margaret Crossley, Mirna Vrbancic

Wendaline McEachern, University of Saskatchewan

In the summer of 2007 Wendaline completed a project titled: Mini-mental scores: in person vs. telehealth. Study findings were published in 2008 in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Supervisor: Andrew Kirk 

Jackie Nneji, year 1 Medical Student from University of North Carolina.

In the Summer of 2009, Jackie Nneji completed a project titled: Supports for Persons with Dementia in Saskatchewan: Review of Policy, Standards, and Guidelines.

Supervisor: Debra Morgan

Jocelyn Poock, Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Working Thesis Title: "The Effects of 'Walking while Talking' Dual-Task on Ambulation in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Older Adults: The Role of Divided Attention and other Cognitive Processes in Clinical Gait Assessment."  Supervisor: Margaret Crossley.

Jocelyn Poock is investigating the staging and process of attentional deficits of persons living with Alzheimer's Disease.  She is using the "talking while walking" dual-task methodology in groups of individuals at different stages of disease severity and is comparing their performance to the performance of age appropriate, healthy control groups.

Trevor Steve, Medical Student. University of Saskatchewan

In the summer of 2005 Trevor completed a project titled: Medication use in patients referred to a rural and remote memory clinic. Study findings were published in 2008 in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Supervisor: Andrew Kirk 

Andrew Wassef, Year 1 Medical Student. University of Saskatchewan

In the summer of 2007 Andrew completed a project titled: Comparison of rural vs. urban referrals to a tertiary care centre for neurological assessment of possible dementia: A five-year retrospective review.

Supervisor: Debra Morgan