Research Health And Wellness

CHS Celebrates International Women’s Day: Give to Gain

This year, the College of Health Sciences is marking International Women’s Day by highlighting how generosity, collaboration and shared purpose are strengthening our community and shaping a better future for all.

5 March 2026

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Left to right (top): Rebecca Goikert, public health professor; Amber Ruben, pharmacy grad; Samina Ali, pediatrics and emergency medicine professor and chair of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada; and Margie Davenport, kinesiology, sport, and recreation professor. Left to right (bottom): Marge McNeely, rehabilitation medicine professor, oncology adjunct and director of the U of A’s Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic; Kara Schick-Makaroff, nursing professor; and Alexandra Albers, nurse practitioner graduate student.

March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a time to recognize the women in our community whose leadership and contributions advance discovery, strengthen communities and inspire meaningful change.

The 2026 theme, Give To Gain, reflects a simple but powerful idea: when we share what we have—knowledge, mentorship, resources, advocacy, or time—we open the door to greater opportunities for others. 

At the University of Alberta, this reflects the values that guide our work. Our community thrives when people come together with curiosity, care, accountability and a commitment to making a positive impact. Across the College of Health Sciences, that commitment is visible every day in the way students, faculty and staff support one another and work in partnership with the communities we serve.

This year, we’re sharing six stories, one from each CHS faculty, that bring the theme of Give To Gain to life. From mentoring the next generation of health professionals, to building inclusive learning environments, to advancing research that improves lives, each story demonstrates how generosity fuels progress.

Together, these stories highlight that when we invest in one another, we all move forward .