Dr. Karen Benzies

Dr. Karen Benzies is a Professor with the Faculty of Nursing, and Adjunct Research Professor with the Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She received a PhD from the University of Alberta and completed post-doctoral fellowships at Stockholm University and the University of Ottawa. Benzies has published more 140 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 46 technical reports, and two book chapters. She has given multiple invited presentations to community groups and professional organizations, 50 media interviews, and 250 oral and poster presentations at peer-reviewed conferences. In 2010, Benzies received the Nursing Excellence in Research Award, the highest honor for nurse scientists in Alberta. In June 2012, she received a University of Calgary, “You Make a Difference” award in honor of her contributions to the undergraduate nursing curriculum. In 2013, she received the Westbury Legacy Award from the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research to recognize her commitment to the academic and professional growth of graduate students and community partners working in the areas of child, family and community research. Benzies' most satisfying accomplishments come from creating linkages among researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to improve the health and well-being of young children and their families. To do this more effectively, she launched a company, Liminality Innovations, to move her clinical trial validated interventions into practice.