Sandra Davidson

Biography

Prior to her current appointment as Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta, she served as Dean of Nursing and then Chief Academic Officer for Carrington College based in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Davidson is originally from Lethbridge Alberta, although she lived and worked in the United States from 2005-2013. Dr. Davidson has also served as the Organizational Development and Clinical Education Specialist for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Goodyear, Arizona. In this position she worked with the Vice-president of Patient Care Services and nursing staff to implement and evaluate an innovative acuity adaptable care delivery model on the inpatient oncology unit. Sandra has an extensive background in the art and science of healthcare innovation. She was one of the developers of the Master of Healthcare Innovation degree program (MHI) at Arizona State University's College of Nursing & Health Innovation. She taught widely within this curriculum and also served as the program's director. The MHI is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students to design, implement and lead transformation in health care. Sandra has 15 years of experience as an evidence-based practice mentor and has facilitated workshops and projects with healthcare practitioners aimed at developing their knowledge, skills and ability to become change agents and EBP champions. She is lead author/editor of the book “Leadership for Evidence-Based Innovation in Nursing and Health Professions” published by Jones & Bartlett (2016). Dr. Davidson’s clinical practice has focused on Chronic Disease and Gerontology and she has worked in roles such as clinical educator, clinical nurse specialist and clinical education coordinator. In a nutshell, her clinical practice has focused on assisting clients to live well and age well.

Research Interest

Dr. Davidson's research interests and projects include: Teaching & Learning Transitions of New Faculty (Faculty Navigator Role) Game-based Learning Simulation Relational Learning (view the YouTube Channel for the Relational Learning Project and the Relational Learning Project Google+ Page) Innovation in Healthcare & Education Innovative Care Delivery Models (e.g., Acuity Adaptable Units) Social Processes of Innovation in Organizations Simulation Emerging 21st Century Learning Theories Well-being Mindfulness Practices in Nursing Education Communities of Practice Resilience Appreciative Practices Leadership & Organizational Development Leading Healthcare Innovation Complexity in Organizations The Organization as “Conversation” (Complex, Relational Perspective) Power Dynamics in Organizations Evidence-based Practice Teaching Evidence-based Practice Evidence-based Innovation Evidence-based Education Practice-based Evidence and the Social Construction of EBP Modes of Inquiry Complexity Informed Narrative Inquiry Social Constructionist Approaches (PAR, Appreciative Inquiry) Qualitative Systematic Review Arts-based Inquiry Qualitative Methods (Generally).