Martine Puts, a professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and a leading nurse researcher in geriatric care and geriatric oncology, has been recognized for the outstanding impact of her research on society with the 2023 Elizabeth McWilliams Miller Award for Excellence in Research, from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
These awards of nursing excellence profile superior achievement and the high standards of the nursing profession, particularly regarding research and in areas of education and practice.
For Puts, who is one of the few Canadians to be recognized with this award, it is a testament to the contributions she has made to improving quality of life and care of older adults with cancer.
“I can honestly say it is a surprise to have won, and it is wonderful recognition of my work,” says Puts. “It shines a spotlight on the importance of conducting research that considers the outcomes and seeks to improve the care of older adults, whether that is in long-term care, or in the treatment of certain diseases like cancer.”
Puts research impact has included the first systematic review of geriatric assessment otherwise known as GA, and its benefits for older adults with cancer. This has also included the first multi-centre trial of geriatric assessment and management in Canada and the Frail Sub-Study which explored the needs of frail older adults, and their caregivers, undergoing surgery.
Her most recent research, a continuation of her 5 C study examined whether the use of the geriatric assessment and management (GAM) model in cancer patients would show an improvement in their quality of life.
“Martine is a powerful international thought leader in the field of geriatric oncology,” says Linda Johnston, Dean of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. “Her work continues to be some of the most extensively cited among researchers and I am certain that she will continue to excel in developing new standards of care for older adults with cancer.”
Puts also holds a Canada Research Chair in Care of Frail Older Adults, and is looking forward to continuing her work to make it as patient and clinician friendly for oncology settings, and to see the real-world impact of improving care for older adults.