BC Rural & Remote Health Research Network

Zena Sharman is a PhD candidate in the Interdisciplinary Studies program at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on the working lives of community health workers, the dedicated care providers at the core of BC’s home support system. Zena is especially interested in the dynamics of community health worker recruitment and retention in small towns and rural communities. She conducted her research in four communities on Vancouver Island (Campbell River, Parksville, Port Alberni, and Port Hardy). Zena’s favourite part about her research is that it gives her the opportunity to meet new people as she explores Vancouver Island’s varied and beautiful geography.

She is convinced that BC’s best scones can be found in Port Hardy.

Her project, which is funded by the BC Medical Services Foundation, has also received in-kind support from the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Zena is fortunate to work under the guidance of three skilled and insightful researchers. Dr. Aleck Ostry (Department of Geography, University of Victoria), is the Principal Investigator of the research project and a member of Zena’s supervisory committee. Dr. Ostry also leads the New Emerging Team for Health in Rural and Northern British Columbia (NETHRN-BC). Dr. Jean Shoveller (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia) is a Co-Investigator and Zena’s PhD supervisor. Dr. Shoveller heads the Youth Sexual Health Team, which has conducted extensive research in BC’s rural and northern communities. Dr. Pamela Ratner (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia) is a Co-Investigator and member of Zena’s supervisory committee. Dr. Ratner Co-Directs NEXUS and is Co-Principal Investigator of the Centre for Nursing and Health Behaviour Research.

Zena grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a city on the north shore of Lake Superior. Though she’s lived in Vancouver since 2001, she’s still a northerner at heart, which means she enjoys talking to strangers and, unlike many of her fellow Vancouverites, won’t use her umbrella when it snows. Zena moved to Vancouver to study at Simon Fraser University, where she completed her Master’s degree in Communication. In addition to her PhD research, Zena works full-time as the Assistant Director of CIHR’s Institute of Gender and Health.