Denise Melanson Bursary
2020 Recipient
Mrs. Amanda McKinley: Master of Nursing Program, UC
ABOUT THE BURSARY
This bursary is awarded in memory of Denise Melanson who died in August of 2006 as a result of a medication error. Denise, who was a 43-year-old wife and mother of three, worked with special needs children as a teaching assistant and she lived in Rainbow Lake, Alberta. Her story has prompted cancer care agencies across Canada to re-examine medication administration practices with the aim of reducing the possibility of a similar error affecting another patient.
The establishment of this bursary is one of many measures taken by Alberta Health Services to ensure an everlasting focus on patient safety in honour of Ms. Melanson.
This bursary was established as part of the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s Building Excellence Program and provides funding for two annual awards. All Alberta Health Services employees whose primary role is to provide care or service to cancer patients are eligible to apply for this annual award. The award may be used to attend approved conferences, workshops or other educational opportunities focusing on patient safety.
Recipients of the Alberta Cancer Foundation Denise Melanson Bursary are eligible for financial assistance up to a maximum of $3,000 and will be chosen by a selection committee made up of representatives from a number of patient care disciplines.