Dr. Howard Brunt
Dr. Howard Brunt first joined the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria in 1990. There, he taught a variety of courses related to research methods, data analysis, and adult healthcare. Prior to moving into academic nursing, he had worked as a RN in coronary care (CCU), ICUs, and cardiac rehabilitation. He was a professor of nursing at the University of Calgary (1983 to 1990) and then at the University of Victoria (1990 to 2016).
His clinical and research focus was in areas related to cardiovascular risk factor detection and health promotion. He led a decade-long large multi-disciplinary research program with the Hutterite population of Alberta, which helped clarify the interactive role of genetics and lifestyle factors in the risk for heart disease.
One of his great joys was involving nursing students in his programs of research, and a number of his students went on to pursue their graduate degrees. In collaboration with Dr. Elaine Gallagher, Howard also conducted research related to falls in the elderly and “starred” in two videos as The Fall Guy; alas, a career in Hollywood was not to be.
Howard received nursing degrees from the University of Vermont (1978) and Yale University (1983) and a PhD in epidemiology and community health sciences from the University of Calgary (1990). He was active and served in leadership positions with a number of national clinical and research organizations, including the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses, the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics, the Community Health Research Services Foundation, and the Tri-University Meson Facility.
While he loved teaching and research, much of his later career was spent in academic leadership positions. In 1997, Howard was appointed as UVic’s Associate VP Research. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the VP Academic and Provost at the University of Northern BC, then returned to UVic to serve as VP Research (VPR) from 2007 to 2014. During Howard’s term as VPR, the university expanded its research funding to more than $100M annually and increased its international reputation for research excellence. While serving as VPR, Howard was appointed as the director for the University of Victoria’s CanAssist program, which develops innovative assistive technology for seniors and those with disabilities; he continues to serve on its advisory board.
Prior to retiring from the University of Victoria, Howard rejoined the School of Nursing for one year to serve as its interim director, during which time a new strategic plan was developed. At the time of his retirement, Howard held appointments in both the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health and Social Policy. Post-retirement, his wife allows him to assist with gardening under her close supervision; he also spends many happy hours restoring a dilapidated boat and planning cruises to BC’s beautiful islands.