Biography
Professor Susan Dawkes is a registered nurse who has spent over twenty years working with cardiology patients in Scotland and Canada. Her clinical roles included nursing in acute cardiology units in and latterly working as a specialist nurse in cardiac rehabilitation. Susan began her career in higher education at the University of Edinburgh and went on to join the School of Health and Social Care (formerly School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care) at Edinburgh Napier University in 2004 where she now is a Professor in the Cardiovascular Health Theme. Susan is part of the School's Senior Leadership team and holds the position of Director of Learning, Teaching and Assessment. Susan also is an Honorary Research Consultant for the Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation teams at NHS Lothian where she supports clinical healthcare professionals in their research and service evaluation / improvement. In March 2018 Susan was elected to the prestigious position of President Elect of the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR) and will take up the President role in October 2019. Susan's aim in this role is to enhance patient care through supporting healthcare professionals to deliver the best cardiovascular rehabilitation and to use strategies to promote primary prevention of the disease. Additionally, Susan wants to work with colleagues in BACPR to make education for healthcare professionals working in the specialism more accessible and relevant to contemporary practice. Susan is the BACPR representative on the International Council for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation and has recently led the Scottish contribution to a global research study exploring cardiac rehabilitation provision worldwide. The results of this will be published soon. Susan has also become a member of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) Education Committee. Susan is an Executive member of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Interest Group Scotland, and she has membership of: the British Heart Foundation Alliance, the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (European Society of Cardiology). Her research interests include self-management of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the preparation of professionals who care for patients with CHD.
Susan teaches students on campus in Edinburgh but also on transnational education programmes and leads a module on health assessment in the BSc Nursing programme in Singapore. Susan has taught in Singapore for several years for the School and is now the School's Regional Lead for Singapore where she enhances the education of nurses by providing leadership of several transnational education programmes delivered in Singapore. Susan has links with the Singapore Heart Foundation and she has contributed to the graduate attributes of several students by involving them in health screening events provided by the Singapore Heart Foundation and so not only do the students gain enhanced knowledge through their studies but the contribute to the health of the population through their work with the Heart Foundation.