Meet one of DLSPH’s newest graduates: Dr. Beth Ellen Rossen, PhD ’24
Dr. Beth Rossen graduated this spring from the doctoral program within public health sciences at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Learn more about Dr. Rossen’s research and future plans below!
About Dr. Rossen
Beth has been a registered nurse for over 35 years. She worked at the bedside in acute clinical areas such as orthopedic surgery, general medicine, and bone marrow transplant at The Hospital for Sick Children. She also worked in rehabilitation clinical areas such as complex continuing care at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital and was the Director of Clinical Education-Undergraduate Program at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto. Prior to her recent PhD in public health sciences from DLSPH, Beth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Western Ontario in 1986, a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Nursing) from Ryerson Polytechnic University in 1990 and a Master of Science from U of T’s Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing in 1994.
You’ve recently graduated from the doctoral program at DLSPH. Could you share a bit more about your research?
I conducted a qualitative constructivist grounded theory study which aimed to understand the experiences of health information-seeking processes of young adults with lifelong physical disabilities during their transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. An additional purpose was to build a theoretical framework comprised of those associated processes and subprocesses. The processes and subprocesses identified in the theory are an interplay of physical, cognitive, psychological, and emotional aspects of personhood, as well as accounting for the broader context environment.
What drew you to pursue studies at DLSPH and what impact did that decision have on you?
I was working as a research associate on a multidisciplinary healthcare team, which inspired me to think more broadly about the social determinants of health, health literacy, and the perspectives of other healthcare professionals. I had been in nursing practice for a number of years and was seeking to broaden my perspective. I saw DLSPH as the place to make that happen. I saw it as a place that allowed for more diverse views and backgrounds at the table, and where my traditional views of nursing practice and education could be challenged. And DLSPH did just that. My assumptions were challenged and my capacity to collaborate and synthesize diverse perspectives was strengthened, translating into both my practice and research. I’ve even noticed this openness reflected in my personal life.
What is one of your greatest memories of your time at DLSPH?
I have many great memories during my time at DLSPH. One standout memory for me was the establishment of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. I began my studies when my program was still housed within the Faculty of Medicine. I was fortunate to witness the tremendously exciting gift announcement and cheque presentation of the first $20 million gift from Paul and Alessandra Dalla Lana. Being able to attend the event and be a part of the launch of the now Dalla Lana School of Public Health, through to my recent graduation, has been a really unique memory of mine that I’m glad to have been a part of!
How do you like to stay engaged with DLSPH as an alum and why is that important to you?
I’m a firm believer in recognizing the stepping stones that have helped each of us get to where we are today. I found my experience at Dalla Lana to be very collaborative rather than competitive, reflective of my experience in a multidisciplinary healthcare system. The School has really given me a launch pad for my new career endeavors and I want to continue that spirit of collaboration and find ways to give back. One recent way I’ve done this is through a gift I made to the Social and Behavioural Health Sciences (SBHS) Program Fund at DLSPH, which I made prior to convocation but after my program completion. I strongly believe in, support and have felt supported by the people and work being done in the SBHS and this is one way I’ve decided to give back. Looking ahead, I’m also hoping to give back through mentorship and committee work, to stay involved and connected in ways that can help others and the mission of the School.
Do you have any future plans you would like to share or are there any particular projects or initiatives you are working on you would like to share?
I’m excited to be involved in a number of projects at the moment. One of my overarching goals is to enhance the capacity of healthcare professionals to support individuals living with a disability, especially as this population transitions from pediatric to adult healthcare. Not all healthcare professionals are equipped to provide this type of support in the most effective comprehensive ways. 1 in 5 individuals are living longer with a disability and comprehensive services are declining. In September, I will be sharing my research as one of the keynote speakers at Hydrocephalus Canada’s AGM and am working with my supervisor to have my research published in the journal called Disability & Society. I’m also collaborating with Easter Seals Ontario to write an article about tips for transition from pediatric to adult care for their website. Furthermore, I am in talks with the Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center, as well as Tulane University and Louisiana State University with respect to knowledge dissemination, education of healthcare professionals, research seminars, and hopefully teaching and further collaboration.
Do you have any tips for new grads?
Be open-minded about possible career paths! Every job I’ve had in the course of my career has been one that I wasn’t necessarily expecting. Careers don’t always follow a pre-determined or cookie cutter path. As a nurse, I started out in bedside nursing clinical roles, then health promotion research, and nursing clinical education counselling, all of which really shaped my career. I found it helpful to take the time to consider the roles I would best thrive in, and similarly those that would not be a fit. In knowing myself in this way and keeping an open mind, I was exposed to a number of opportunities that I didn’t expect. I also wasn’t afraid to take initiative, network, and make connections on my own. Knowing and leveraging my strengths and goals with a collaborative rather than competitive approach really helped me in my career and can only serve to foster healthcare change makers poised to make a difference in the lived experiences of people with disabilities and society at large.
Published July 19, 2024