Professor Helen Edwards OAM will be presented with the 2011 Psychology Distinguished Alumni Award at a ceremony later this month, said Professor Bill von Hippel, Head of the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland.
Professor Edwards is co-author of Australia's best-selling nursing text book Lewis' Medical–Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems published by Elsevier, and is now Head of Nursing at QUT.
"The Distinguished Alumni Award recognises the achievements and impact on society of our graduates," Professor von Hippel said.
"This year, the award will be given to one of our most influential alumni, Professor Helen Edwards.
"Professor Edwards received an Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to nursing earlier this year and is internationally recognised for her work in ageing and dementia, chronic disease, and wound-management.
"Professor Edwards will be presented with the award at our annual Alumni Reunion on November 16, giving other alumni an opportunity to talk with her about how she got to where she is today."
Professor von Hippel said the alumni reunion presented an occasion for former students to get together and reconnect with their old classmates and lecturers.
"Since opening its doors in 1955, the School of Psychology has played an instrumental role in the education of over 7000 graduates," Professor von Hippel said.
"This reunion will give our graduates a chance to catch up with their old uni mates, find out what each other are up to these days, or to network with other professionals.
"There will be free drinks and snacks, and all psychology graduates are invited, especially those who finished since 2005.
"Dr Mark Nielsen, one of Psychology’s senior lecturers, will also give a short talk about his recent research in the Kalahari Desert."
The reunion will take place at The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus in the Terrace Room, Sir Llew Edwards Building from 5pm–7pm on November 16.
For more information visit www.psy.uq.edu.au or RSVP to psychalum@psy.uq.edu.au or 07 3365 6220.
Media: Kate Rainthorpe (07 3365 7427, k.rainthorpe@uq.edu.au) or Fiona Barlow (07 3365 6421, f.barlow@uq.edu.au).
