Welcome to LINKAGE
LInking Nursing Knowledge And GEnomics (LINKAGE) is an online knowledge engagement hub which includes educational content about foundational genomic concepts in the context of nursing practice. There are opportunities for nurses to learn about how health, genes, and nursing care are connected.
Who is LINKAGE for?
LINKAGE was co-developed by nurses and nurse educators to provide targeted resources for nurse educators and nursing students; however, all nurses are welcome.
Why was LINKAGE developed?
LINKAGE was developed because we are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of healthcare. Genetics and genomics are now shaping all areas of nursing practice to tailor assessment, diagnosis, and management. Nurses, as the largest and most trusted healthcare profession, are in a key position to support the rapidly changing healthcare environment and to become leaders in this area.
How can LINKAGE help?
Our goal is that LINKAGE will provide nurses, with novice to expert levels of knowledge about genomics, an opportunity to engage at their own pace and facilitate the integration of genomics into their practice and/or classrooms.
About Us
Dr. Sarah Dewell
PhD, MSc., RN
Dr. Sarah Dewell is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at Thompson Rivers University. Before becoming a nurse, she attended the University of British Columbia, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology and a Master’s degree in Medical Genetics.
Dr. Dewell’s research combines her interest in genomics with her dedication to advancing evidence-based nursing education through innovative curriculum development. Specifically, she explores the development of precision health through scholarship in nursing education, research, and practice, focusing on foundational genomic knowledge for all nurses. Ultimately, her goal is to prepare future nurses to practice in evolving healthcare systems.
While working as a PhD student and Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Calgary, Dr. Dewell, her supervisors, Dr. Karen Benzies and Dr. Carla Ginn, and a research assistant, Noopur Swadas, developed the first version of LINKAGE. In 2019, she received the Peak Scholar award from the University of Calgary for her work on the project.
Dr. Dewell is co-chair of the Education Committee in the International Society of Nurses in Genetic (ISONG) and a member of the steering committee for the Global Genomics Nursing Alliance (G2NA). Additionally, she is a member of the following organizations:
- Nursing Genomics Project group of the Inter-Society Coordination Committee for Practitioner Education in Genomics (ISCC-PEG) – A subsidiary of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Canadian Nursing and Genomics Initiative
Dr. Trina Walker
DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Dr. Trina Walker is an Assistant Professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Program at Creighton University’s College of Nursing.
Dr. Walker’s research focuses on incorporating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice and integrating genetics and genomics into nursing curricula. She received extramural funding for ongoing pharmacogenomics and genomic nursing education projects. This funding supported developing several professional projects, including an international pharmacogenomics webinar and pilot work developing a pharmacogenomic testing process in a primary care clinic.
Her work with LINKAGE as an investigator furthers her goal to incorporate genetics into nursing education.
Dr. Walker is the chair for the Inter-Society Coordinating Committee for Practitioner Education in Genomics (ISCC-PEG), which is a subsidiary of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As chair, she developed a three-part FAQ series (entry-level, nurse practitioners, and nurse educators) focused on answering the most pressing questions about genomics, including why it is an integral part of nursing foundation and how they can use it in clinical practice.
Additionally, she is a member of the following organizations:
- International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) Education and Professional Practice Committees
- Global Genomic Nursing Alliance (G2NA)
Noopur Swadas
RN, BN
Noopur Swadas is a Registered Nurse currently supporting the LINKAGE project as a Research Consultant at Thompson Rivers University. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Calgary, where her interest in nursing genomics emerged. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with Dr. Sarah Dewell as a research assistant and played a key role in the development of the first version of LINKAGE, as well as supporting related research. During this time, she also received the PURE research award from the University of Calgary to develop her research project titled “Knowledge and Attitudes of Pharmacogenetics Among Canadian Nurses: Implications for Nursing Education.” Noopur remains passionate about advancing nursing genomic education, continuing efforts to foster genomics awareness and promoting its integration into nursing practice.
Following her graduation, Noopur worked as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Calgary, AB. With diverse experience encompassing clinical, research, and advisory roles, she currently works as a Research & Innovation Advisor at Alberta Health Services, actively contributing to the advancement of healthcare practices.
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