Sarah Xiao

RN, BNSc, MSc(N), PhD

About

Nurse. Researcher. Lecturer. Author.

Like many other nurses, I went into the field of nursing because of my caring, nurturing personality and desire to help others. I began volunteering with children and seniors and working with the homeless at a very young age, and knew that a career in nursing would allow me to continue to make a difference in society.

In 2008, I completed my Bachelor in Nursing Science with First Class Honours at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and decided to continue my education with a Master of Science in Nursing. My thesis involved exploring the psychosocial processes of weight management among individuals with first episode psychosis and/or early onset schizophrenia prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications. During this time, I also completed a Research Fellowship at the Museum of Health Care, where I examined the historical evolution of electroconvulsive therapy. Recently, I completed my Doctor of Philosophy at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto. 

My thesis work and research activities have resulted in several research grants, presentations at international conferences, and publications in peer-reviewed high impact journals. I have also had the opportunity to teach, lecture, and mentor graduate and undergraduate nursing students at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto. 

Aside from my academic activities, I find the most joy and fulfillment in serving and giving back to the community. My extracurricular involvement and volunteer experiences include the Graduate Nurses’ Student Society at U of T, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School, Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR), Mon Sheong Foundation (i.e., youth development programs, senior home and long-term care facilities), and Canadian Running & Nike’s Lane 6 Program, a one-on-one mentorship and weekly running program for at-risk children and youth in Toronto. 

Education

r
Skills

Articulate
Excel, PowerPoint
NVivo
REDCap
R, SAS, SPSS
SurveyMonkey
Languages

English
Cantonese (廣州話)
Mandarin (中文)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Science

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

• Thesis: Development and evaluation of an instrument to measure discharge planning processes in mental health care
• Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.0

Master of Science (MSc) in Nursing

School of Nursing, Queen’s University

• Thesis: Psychosocial processes influencing weight management among persons newly prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications
​• Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.3

Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc, Hons)

School of Nursing, Queen’s University

• Graduated with First Class Honours
• Cumulative GPA: 4.0/4.3

r
Skills

Articulate
Excel, PowerPoint
NVivo
REDCap
R, SAS, SPSS
SurveyMonkey
Languages

English
Cantonese (廣州話)
Mandarin (中文)

Awards
&
Recognition

 

GRADUATE
  • Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research Conference Student Bursary, 2019

  • University of Toronto – Faculty of Nursing Teaching Assistant Award, 2018

  • University of Toronto – Queen Elizabeth II/Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology, 2018

  • Canadian Nurses Foundation – Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Award, 2018

  • University of Toronto – Bertha Rosenstadt Doctoral Research Dissertation Grant, 2017

  • University of Toronto – Ruth A. Gallop/Ontario Graduate Scholarship, 2017

  • University of Toronto – Gail Donner Doctoral Nursing Fellowship, 2017

  • University of Toronto – Alice Girard Memorial Fellowship, 2017

  • University of Toronto – Julia Alice Saddington Memorial Award in Nursing, 2017

  • University of Toronto Fellowship, 2017

  • Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario – Dr. Hildegard E. Peplau Award, 2017

  • University of Toronto – M. Jean Wilson/Ontario Graduate Scholarship, 2016

  • University of Toronto – Alice Girard Memorial Fellowship, 2016

  • University of Toronto – Dent-Paech Nursing Fellowship, 2016

  • University of Toronto Fellowship, 2016

  • University of Toronto – Ruth Amiel Gallop/Ontario Graduate Scholarship, 2015

  • University of Toronto Fellowship, 2015

  • Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario – Dorothy Monteith Scholarship, 2015

  • University of Toronto Fellowship, 2014

  • Nora J. Parker PhD Admission Fellowship, 2014

  • University of Toronto Nursing Faculty Staff Fellowship, 2014

UNDERGRADUATE
  • Museum of Health Care – Dr. Margaret Angus Research Fellowship, 2010

  • Canadian Nurses Foundation – Astra Zeneca Rural Scholarship, 2010

  • Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario – Kathleen Howe Mitchell Scholarship, 2010

  • Queen’s University School of Nursing – Nursing 55th Anniversary Award, 2010

  • Queen’s University Graduate Award, 2009

  • Queen’s University Graduate Award, 2008

  • Queen’s University R.S. McLaughlin Fellowship, 2008