Research Chairs

Dr. Melissa Dykhuizen holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Nursing, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) from the University of Saskatchewan. Since 2014, she has been a faculty member in the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing. Her clinical nursing background includes oncology, maternal/child, and community health.

Research/Scholarship

As a research chair at the Centre for Health Research Innovation and Scholarship (CHRIS), Melissa leads initiatives that integrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation into patient-oriented curricula. Her research embraces a holistic perspective on health, aiming to advance the wellness of transgender and Two Spirit individuals and communities in Saskatchewan. Melissa has a strong interest in art-based qualitative methods, such as visual arts and storytelling, to promote the wellness of equity-deserving populations.

1. Dykhuizen, M. (Principal Investigator), Hanson, D., Hyde, A., & Marshall, K. (2025). Integrating diverse voices into nursing education: Advancing equity and patient-oriented curriculum in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF). $9,998.
2. Dykhuizen, M. (Principal Investigator), Pavloff, M., Marshall, K., &  Fayant-McLeod, T. (2025). Pictures of health: Exploring wellness among 2STNBGN people in rural and remote Saskatchewan through photovoice. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF). $10,000.
3. Dykhuizen, M. (Principal Investigator), Loewen-Walker, R., & Fayant-McCleod, T. (2025). Sharing Witaya: Building transnational Two-Spirit and IndigiQueer communities. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), Truth and Action Fund. $9,452.48.
4. Burns, M., Drake, P., Lloyd, S., Fusca, L., Pauzé, J., Inman, A., & Dykhuizen, M. (Collaborator). (2024). The experiences of Islanders seeking and accessing gender-affirming care. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Engage Grant. $24,959.
5. Dykhuizen, M. (Principal Investigator), Loewen-Walker, R., & Saddleback, J. (2020). Two-Spirit community and research gathering. Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Indigenous Gender and Wellness Development Grants. $64,235.
6. Dykhuizen, M. (Recipient). (2019). Travel grant for Idea Fair and Learning Circle: Indigenous Gender and Wellness, held in Montreal, QC & Kahnawake FN. Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). $3,973.

Select Presentations

1. Burns, M., Fusca, L., Drake, P., Dykhuizen, M., Bakker, V., Morrell, A., & The Gender Affirming Care Research Team. (2025, June 9–13). The experiences of individuals seeking and accessing gender affirming care on Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island, Canada). E-poster presentation at the 30th International Council of Nurses Congress, Helsinki, Finland.
2. Ahenakew, S., Graham, H., Mishak, B., Kristoff, T., Rope, R., Bear, A., Bigknife, K., Bonnell, D., Daigneault, A., Dykhuizen, M., Eikel, L., Harper, J., Mirasty, J., McKay, K., & Widdifield, C. (2023, May 29–30). kā-wīci-pimohtēmāt (a person who walks with others in their journey), a Professional Practice Group (PPG) within the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan. CASN 2023 Nursing Education Conference.
3. Dykhuizen, M., Hodson, A., & Laczko, D. (2023, January 5–8). Building capacity of undergraduate nursing faculty and nursing students through mentored research projects during the early months of COVID-19. The IAFOR International Conference on Education in Hawaii (IICE).
4. Laczko, D., Hodson, A., Dykhuizen, M., Knipple, K., Norman, K., & Hand-Cortes, P. (2022, June 22–24). Mental wellness among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A phenomenological study. 38th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference and Couch-Stone Symposium.
5. Laczko, D., Hodson, A., & Dykhuizen, M. (2021, November). A phenomenological study exploring mental health & wellness among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scholarship Series, Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
6. Norman, K., Hodson, A., Dykhuizen, M., Laczko, D., Knipple, K., & Hand-Cortes, P. (2021, June). Using Giorgi’s method for phenomenological interviewing. 37th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference.
7. Dykhuizen, M., Holtslander, L., & Anonson, J. (2019, May). Narrative inquiry: A proposed methodology for exploring transgender men’s experiences with cervical cancer screening. 36th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference.
8. Dykhuizen, M. (2018, June). Transgender men’s experiences with cervical cancer screening in Saskatchewan. 2018 Canadian Doctoral Nursing Network Conference, University of Regina, Regina, SK.
9. Dykhuizen, M., Anonson, J., Hunt, S., & Kobusson, R. (2017, February). Leadership, mentorship, and kinship: Lessons learned in Nanchong, China. WNRCASN Conference, Victoria, BC.

Select Publications

1. Dykhuizen, M., Marshall, K., Loewen Walker, R., & Saddleback, J. (2022). Holistic health of Two Spirit people in Canada: A call for nursing action. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 40(4), 356–368. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101211072645
2. Laczko, D., Hodson, A., Dykhuizen, M., Knipple, K., Norman, K., & Hand-Cortes, P. (2022). Nursing students’ experiences of mental wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic: A phenomenological study. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 17(3), 392–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2022.03.002

Profile

Lindsey practiced as an advanced care paramedic (ACP) in urban, rural, and northern settings for more than a decade prior to becoming an educator. She began with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic School of Health Sciences in 2015 as a Paramedic programs faculty member, transitioning into the role of Program Head in 2017. Lindsey obtained her Master of Arts- Leadership from Royal Roads University in 2019 and is currently a PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Studies program at the University of Saskatchewan.

Research/Scholarship

Lindsey's research focuses on harnessing virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance mental health and well-being. VR-based interventions offer a safe, innovative, and non-judgmental way to access care and resources that might otherwise be inaccessible. By reducing stigma, improving accessibility, and addressing individual needs in a culturally responsive manner, VR has the potential to revolutionize mental health support systems.

Lindsey serves as the principal investigator (PI) for the Virtual Interventions and Community Connections for Indigenous Youth (VICCIY) Initiative, which utilizes virtual reality (VR) to support the mental health and well-being of Indigenous youth in rural and remote communities. She is also the PI for the Transforming Health Realities through Interactive Virtual Engagement (THRIVE) project, which addresses the urgent need for proactive mental health support for Public Safety Personnel (PSP). Through innovative VR applications, THRIVE focuses on tackling the unique challenges faced by first responders, providing tools to build resilience and promote overall wellness.

Selected Grants

1. The Virtual Interventions and Community Connections for Indigenous Youth (VICCIY) Initiative (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Virtual Care Pilot Program. $25,000 (2024)
2. Boechler, L., Saskatchewan Centre for Patient Oriented Research (SCPOR) $62,500 per year, 2020-2025
3. Breaking the Bad: Capturing Voices from the Bedside to Understand Why Nurses Stay (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Mobilize funding. $10,000 (2024)
4. Connecting Communities: Sharing the potential of using virtual reality technology to support the mental health and wellness of Indigenous youth living in rural and remote Saskatchewan (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), Truth and Action Fund. $10,000 (2022). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Mobilize funding. $10,000 (2024)
5. Transforming health realities through interactive virtual engagement (THRIVE): Examining the impact of proactive virtual wellness programming for frontline public safety personnel (Principal Investigator). College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). $360,000 (2024)
6. Musculoskeletal and Psychological Injury Reduction for a Safer Saskatchewan (Co-Applicant). Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board (SWCB). $150,000 (2024)
7. The Road to Miyo-Pimahtisiwin: A Journey of Healing (Co-Principal Applicant). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Mobilize funding. $10,000 (2024)
8. Wellness summit for Indigenous youth living in rural and remote Saskatchewan communities (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Align Grant- Child and Youth Health funding. $10,000 (2023)
9. Pathways to safer communities: Co-creating a crisis preparedness framework for Indigenous communities (Co-Principal Applicant).  Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Align funding. $10,000 (2023)
10. Barriers to accessing children’s audiology services in northern Saskatchewan: A community-driven approach (Principal Applicant). Mobilize Capacity-Building Applied Research Project Funding (CBAR), Saskatchewan Polytechnic. $20,000 (2023)
11. Connecting Communities: Sharing the potential of using virtual reality technology to support the mental health and wellness of Indigenous youth living in rural and remote Saskatchewan (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), Truth and Action Fund. $10,000 (2022).
12. Meditative Policing: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Value of Virtual Wellness Practices for Law Enforcement (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Seed Applied Research Program (SARP).  $6,000 (2021).
13. Assessing the mental health support needs for Indigenous adolescents residing in rural and remote Sask: A mixed methods study exploring the potential of virtual reality technology (Principal Investigator). Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). $360,000 (2021).
14. Assessing the mental health support needs for Indigenous adolescents residing in northern Saskatchewan: A community based participatory action research study exploring the potential use of virtual reality technology to promote mental health and wellbeing (Principal investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), Research Innovation funding. $50,000 (2021).
15. Exploring the use of virtual reality technology to promote mental health and well-being of Indigenous adolescents and young adults in rural and remote Saskatchewan (Principal Investigator). Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Provost’s NSERC Research Fund. $8,000 (2021).

16. The experience of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan: The knowledge translation plan (Co-Investigator). Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), Research Connections COVID-19 Rapid Response funding. $10,000 (2020).

Selected Dissemination

1. Boechler, L. (2022, December). Community wellness connections for Indigenous youth across Canada. Aspen Films. Available from https://vimeo.com/783047907/9da3a0a6ae 
2. Hatch, A., Boechler, L., Morin, M., Roth-Howat, K., Lemaigre, K., Herman, D., Piche, B., & Gailey, L. (2022, November). Community of La Loche and Sask Polytech co-create wellness initiative with virtual reality [Video file]. Aspen Films. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-54XF4fz9PQ 
3. Boechler, L., Ford-Jones, P., Smith, C., Suthers, P., & Cameron, C. (2022). Challenges, changes, and implications of COVID-19: Canadian paramedics’ experiences. International Paramedic Practice, 12 (3).  https://doi.org/10.12968/ippr.2022.12.3.45 
4. Boechler, L., Renwick, S., Alabi, A., de la Torre, H., Kumar, S., Singh, H., Xavier, R., Hector, D., McTaggart, L., & Shrubsole, J. (2021). Beyond the role of participant: a firsthand account of the experiences of a patient-oriented research team. Research Involvement and Engagement. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-021-00323-9 
5. Boechler, L., Cameron, C., Smith, J.C., Ford-Jones, P. & Suthers, P. (2021). Impactful approaches to leadership on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic: Lived experiences of Canadian paramedics. Healthcare Quarterly, 24(3), 42-47. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2021.26620    

Selected Presentations

1. Boechler, L. (2024, May). Exploring a metaverse of opportunities: Virtual wellness connections for Indigenous youth, invited oral presentation for Transforming Practices: Breaking Silence, Building Safety conference hosted by Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and Red Deer Polytechnic, Alberta, Canada.
2. Cameron, A., Apesis, D., Raouf, A., & Boehcler, L. (2024, May). Cultivating connections: Navigating cultural sensitivity in Indigenous research relationships, invited panel member for College Research EDI Community of Practice, Ontario, Canada.
3. Apesis, D., Boechler, L., & Raouf, A. (2023, November). Equity, diversity, inclusion and indigeneity: The importance of understanding experiences and needs when partnering with Indigenous communities for research, invited virtual lunch and learn series for the Office of Applied Research and Innovation, Saskatchewan, Canada.
4. Boechler, L. (2023, October). Virtual interventions and community connections for health Indigenous youth (VICCHIY): Preliminary findings from an inaugural provincial youth wellness summit, poster presentation for the National Summit on Indigenous Mental Wellness, Indigenous Services Canada, Ontario, Canada.
5. Boechler, L. (2023, May). Community wellness connections, invited oral presentation for the Council for Innovation and Commercialization Meeting, Conference Board of Canada, Manitoba, Canada.
6. Boechler, L. (2023, May). Community wellness connections for Indigenous youth across Canada, invited oral presentation for Polytechnics Canada conference, Alberta, Canada.
7. Boechler, L. (2023, April). Research showcase: Community wellness connections for Indigenous youth across Canada, chair of the event and presenter for in-person showcase, Wanuskewin, Saskatchewan, Canada.
8. Boechler, L. (2022, March). Exploring the potential of using VR to enhance the well-being of Indigenous youth across Canada, virtual oral presentation for the Virtual Reality/ Augmented Reality Association (VRARA) Universities and Colleges Committee Meeting.
9. Boechler, L. & Herman, R. (2022, October). Sekwe’ha: A community-based research approach to virtual mental health supports for Indigenous youth [Oral presentation]. 3rd Edition of Global Conference on Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, Florida, USA.
10. Boechler, L. & Herman, R. (2022, September). Sekwe’ha: Exploring the use of virtual reality technology to support the mental health of Indigenous youth [Oral presentation]. National Summit on Indigenous Mental Wellness, Indigenous Services Canada, Ontario, Canada.
11. Boechler, L., Hussain, A., Cameron, C. & Suthers, P. (2022, September). Lessons from COVID-19: A case for an ethical framework for paramedic decision-making [Oral presentation]. Paramedics Across Canada Expo (PACE), Saskatchewan, Canada.
12. Boechler, L., Peirce, R., Holah, J., & Charlton, K. (2021, November). Where is the patient’s voice? Involving community engagement (patient and public) in EMS research [Virtual invited panel presentation]. International Paramedic Research Conference 2021: Global Developments in Paramedic Research in partnership between London, UK, Sydney Australia, and New York, US.
13. Boechler, L. (2021, November). Addressing the Mental Health Support Needs of Indigenous Adolescents Residing in Rural and Remote Communities [Virtual presentation as a Launchpad Finalist]. Alberta Health Services i4 conference, Alberta, Canada.

Selected Awards

2022                       Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

2022                      Paramedic Association of Canada, Award of Excellence for Research and Innovation

2021                       Saskatchewan Health Research Showcase Award, Poster Presentation People’s Choice Award

2010                       Stars of Life Award presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan

Profile

Linda is the program head for the Sask Polytech Therapeutic Recreation program and serves as a research chair with a focus on school-based recreation therapy for the Centre for Health Research, Innovation and Scholarship (CHRIS). Prior to this Linda worked at the University of Saskatchewan, College of Kinesiology as the director of an evidence-based childhood obesity prevention program and the Saskatoon Health Region as the director and professional leader for Therapeutic Recreation Services and the health promotion strategy in motion.

Scholarship

Linda has been working with Saskatoon’s school divisions to implement recreation therapy services in school-based programs to support children with various mental health, physical, developmental and/or learning disabilities in specialized school programs. She is the principal investigator for school-based recreation therapy and a co-investigator and partner with a University of British Columbia (UBC) research team working on a project enhancing the participation and inclusion of children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disorders in community-based physical activity programs.

Selected Grants

1. Assessing the Need for Recreation Therapy Services for Students with High and Complex Needs within the School System, Principle Investigator, SHRF Align Grant, 2024, $10,000;
2. Assessing the Need for Recreation Therapy Services for Students with High and Complex Needs within the School System, Faculty of Nursing, Health Sciences and Community Services Internal Grant - $2500
3. School Based Recreation Therapy for Students with Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities, Principle Investigator, 2022-2023, SARP (Seed Applied Research Program) and SIF (Sustainability Initiative Funds) - $6,000;
4. School Based Recreation Therapy for Students with Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities School of Health Sciences Internal Grant - $2,500

1. Martin, L. June 12-14, 2024.An Interprofessional Education International Abroad Event involving Therapeutic Recreation Students, Kenya Africa. Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA) conference.
2. Martin, L., & Schaffer, D. April 25, 2024.Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities.Sustainability Day, Applied Research Lighting Talk, Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
3. Martin, L., & Lang, R. March 28, 2024.Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities. Southeast Recreational therapy Symposium (SRTS), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
4. Martin, L., & Lang, R. March 13, 2024.Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities. Research and Scholarship Speaker Series, Hosted by the Centre for Health Research, Innovation and Scholarship, Saskatchewan Polytechnic. 
5. Martin, L. May 20, 2022.Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities.Private Practice, Community of Practice, Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO).
6. Martin, L. October 3, 2022.Therapeutic Recreation in the School Systems: Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities. Niagara College of Canada.
7. Martin, L., Beaudin, G., Onusko, J., Ehrmantraut, K., & Hedley, E. Sept. 12, 2019.Recreation as an Intervention in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities.Sask Association of Recreation Professionals (SARP) Professional Development Day.
8. Martin, L., Onusko, J. June 19, 2019. An update on pilot project series, therapeutic recreation in schools for students with mental health, physical, developmental and/or learning disabilities. 23rd Annual CTRA Conference, Québec City, Québec.
9. Martin, L., & Pickering, S. April 4, 2019.Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities - A Pilot Project Series.Gulf Shores Recreational Therapy Symposium, Gulf Shores, Alabama.
10. Martin, L., & Pickering, S. June 14, 2018.Therapeutic Recreation in Schools for Students with Various Mental Health, Physical, Developmental and/or Learning Disabilities - A Pilot Project Series.22nd Annual CTRA Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
11. Martin, L., & Pickering. S. October 4, 2018.Jooay: Inclusive Leisure Opportunities for Children and Youth with Disabilities.Innovations Conference, Regina, Saskatchewan.
    
    

1. Waters, S., Applied Research Release Time Stipend (ARRTS), Saskatchewan Polytechnic, $50,000. July 2025-June 30, 2026. 
2. Waters, S.,Building Research Relationships with Willow Cree Health Center Seed Applied Research Program (SARP) $6000. July 2025-June 30, 2026.
3. Waters, S., Peet, J.,Clinical Practice Hours in Nursing Related Programs: Aligning Student Learning Needs with Industry Capacity. Faculty of Nursing, Health Sciences and Community Services Collaborative Grant. $5000, July 2025-June 30 2027.
4. Waters, S., White, S. Exploring the Relationship Between Objective Standardized Clinical Exams (OSCEs) and Anxiety in Undergraduate Nursing Students Faculty of Nursing, Health Sciences and Community Services Internal Grant, $2500. July 2025-June 30, 2026. 
5. Waters, S., Applied Research Release Time Stipend (ARRTS), Saskatchewan Polytechnic, $50,000. July 2024-June 30, 2025. 
6. Waters, S., Identifying Bereavement Support Gaps for People Who Have Lost a Loved One in a Saskatoon Intensive Care Unit. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Align Grant, $9926. Sept 2024-Dec 2024.

1. Waters, S., Brons, C., Glessman, J., McIlduff, C., Chen, A., Hagel, M., O’Brien, J., & Valiani, S. Improving Continuity of Bereavement Support after the Loss of a Loved One in an Urban Intensive Care Unit: Development of an Interactive Online Map [Poster/oral presentation] 17th World Congress of Intensive and Critical Care. September 16-19, 2025; Vancouver, BC, Canada.
2. Waters, S., & Heit, L. Universal Design for Learning: Building Capacity in Interactive Learning Strategies for Blended Lecture [Conference workshop 90mins] WNRCASN Conference UBC Okanagan campus. Kelowna, BC. May, 2025.
3. Waters, S., & Heit, L. Universal Design for Learning: Building Capacity in Interactive Learning Strategies for Blended Lecture [Conference workshop 90 mins] Innovate 2025: Advancing Nursing Practice through Research and Education University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing, Keyano College, Northwestern Polytechnic, and Red Deer Polytechnic. April, 2025.

1. Recipient of the Provost's Faculty Awards for Excellence: Teaching [Innovations in Teaching Award] Spring 2025

Eileen Zaba has built a distinguished career with Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, where she is committed to advancing applied research with a particular focus on Indigenous health and safety. With over 44 years of experience in psychiatric nursing, she brings extensive expertise and a longstanding commitment to enhancing mental health care. In addition to her clinical and research contributions, she has guided psychiatric nursing students and faculty in developing their research skills. 

Eileen’s research journey at Saskatchewan Polytechnic began with a supporting role in the Virtual Interventions and Community Connections with Youth project. She has since progressed to leading major initiatives, establishing herself as a respected applied researcher. Her current projects include Resilient Indigenous Communities: A Crisis Response Framework; The Talking Quilt, Improving Mental Health Clients’ Independence and Quality of Life through Innovative Technology and Strategic Partnerships; and a new initiative addressing food security in Saskatchewan. 

Dean Lefebvre is a Registered Dental Hygienist, holds a Masters in Adult Education, Bachelor of Science and a Certificate in Adult Education and Training. Dean has worked in private practice for over 30 years as a dental hygienist and continues to work in the summer when he is not teaching. Since 1997, Dean has worked at SIAST and Saskatchewan Polytechnic teaching in a variety of courses and served as Program Head of the Dental Programs from 2019-2024. He helped create and deliver curriculum for the collaborative Dental Therapy Program with the University of Saskatchewan, Northlands College and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. In 2018, Dean was awarded the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and in 2022 the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association Award of Merit. 

Dean is president of the Dental Hygiene Alliance of Saskatchewan, Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada Board member and surveyor. He has initiated several community oral health outreach events within Regina and Northern Saskatchewan most notably, Dental Day and Health and Wellness Day where free health services are provided to people who experience multiple barriers in accessing care. 

Currently, Dean is instructing in the Dental Hygiene Program and project lead of an Oral Health Access Fund that focuses on developing oral health education and training that will improve the health of Saskatchewan residents.