The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) announces a change in Research Chairs as Veronique Boscart concludes her role following two successful, five-year terms as CIHR/Schlegel Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Seniors Care (IRCC).
Boscart joined the RIA in 2012 and was one of the first of the Schlegel Research Chairs. She has made significant contributions to the development of best practices in research methods with older adults, to gerontological education for health-care professionals and to care delivery models in senior living settings.
”The contributions of our Research Chairs are the driving force of the RIA’s mandate to elevate the quality of life and care for older adults and the people who care for them,” says Tina Mah, executive director at the RIA. “Veronique’s work at the RIA has been a key part of the effort to advance innovative education and training for those who work in seniors care in Canada.”
The RIA currently hosts 11 Schlegel Research Chairs, three Research Specialists and more than 20 research scientists who collaborate with research teams across the country and the world to answer important questions related to aging. Each Chair is affiliated with a university or college and their limited-term positions are jointly funded by the RIA and/or Schlegel, as well as their affiliated college or university.
Boscart is also the executive dean at the Conestoga College School of Health & Life Sciences and has an impressive record of research earning numerous awards, most notably the Order of Merit Research Award from the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) in 2018. This award recognizes her research contributions to nursing and to the development of a highly-skilled workforce to care for older adults.
In June 2021, Boscart was appointed to the National Long-Term Care (LTC) Service Standards Technical Committee. This Committee, composed of leaders in the LTC sector, direct support workers, care partners and LTC residents, worked together with the Health Standards Organization (HSO) to develop the National LTC Services Standard.
Research Specialist Linda Sheiban Taucar, who was started with the RIA in 2018 as Schlegel Associate Research Chair for Seniors Care to support Boscart’s research, will also transition with Boscart to focus on their continuing work at Conestoga College.
The RIA celebrates the successes achieved and is grateful for the contributions of both Boscart and Sheiban Taucar. We look forward to a continued collaboration with Boscart in finding solutions to priority issues for older adults and those who care for them.