Salima Hemani wins SANSAR Burgundy Young Investigator Award
Published: August 3, 2021
Salima Hemani, a PhD candidate at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, has become the first registered nurse to win the SANSAR Burgundy Young Investigator Award.
The award recognizes the impact of Hemani’s research on the health of the South Asian community.
SANSAR, the South Asian Network Supporting Awareness and Research, focuses specifically on promoting cardiovascular health in the South Asian community through education, community awareness and research.
Hemani’s own work has shown members of the South Asian community how to successfully mitigate an early diagnosis of hypertension through education and awareness.
“I have always believed in prevention as a way to manage disease,” says Hemani. “This award provides recognition and support for the work I am doing to help make our communities healthier.”
Hemani conducted a multi-method study aimed at examining the feasibility of a community-based, low-sodium dietary intervention among hypertensive individuals in communities with larger South Asian populations. The intervention, which aimed to increase knowledge and modify behaviours via five online intervention modules and telephone calls to study participants, helped many reduce their sodium intake.
“I’m very hopeful that, with this award, I will be able to carry this work forward and continue to use digital technology, mobile apps and more to make an impact with preventative strategies,” says Hemani. “Research by nurse and nurse practitioners can create something very meaningful for communities.
