Dr. Tracy L. Powell is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery whose research examines end-of-life care, palliative care, and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Her program of research focuses on family members’ experiences of MAiD and the social, political, ethical, and healthcare contexts that shape end-of-life decision-making and access to care.

Drawing on her knowledge and experience, Dr. Powell investigates how individuals, families, and healthcare professionals navigate serious illness, dying, and bereavement. Her work seeks to better understand the experiences of family members involved in end-of-life decision-making and to identify ways healthcare systems can provide more equitable, compassionate, and family-in-focus care.

Dr. Powell's scholarship contributes to national conversations about MAiD, palliative care, health equity, and healthcare policy. Through collaborative research, teaching, and knowledge mobilization, she aims to generate evidence to inform nursing practice, education, and policy, while improving care experiences for patients and families facing serious illness and end of life.

Dr. Powell is a co-investigator on a SSHRC-funded research program (2025–2029). Understanding the Impact of the Social-Political Contexts in Shaping Older Adult Canadians' End-of-Life Planning, to further advance knowledge of end-of-life planning and health policy in Canada.

Areas of Instruction

• End-of-Life Care and Palliative Care
• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) 
• Nursing Ethics • Family-in-Focus Care 
• Social Justice and Health Equity 
• Nursing Leadership 
• Transition to Professional Practice

• End-of-Life Care and Care Planning 
• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) 
• Family Experiences in Serious Illness, Dying, and Bereavement 
• Nursing Ethics 
• Health Policy and Socio-Political Influences on Healthcare 
• Social Justice and Health Equity

Selected Publications

Dr. Powell's scholarship focuses on end-of-life care, palliative care, and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), with an emphasis on family experiences, nursing ethics, health policy, and nursing education. The publications below highlight selected contributions to these areas of inquiry:

Slobogian, V., Lelond, S., Visser, M., & Powell, T.L. (2025). Living fully, choosing wisely: Exploring patient-centred approaches to palliative care and MAiD- Part II, the role of the oncology nurse. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 35(6), 858-864 http://dx.doi.org/10.5737/23688076356858

Lelond, S., Slobogian, V., Visser, M., & Powell, T.L. (2024). Living fully, choosing wisely: Exploring patient-centred approaches to palliative care and MAiD- Part I. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 34(4), 562-567.

Teggart, K., Silva, A., Powell, T., Lemonde, M., Maheu, C., & Mayo, S. (2022). Reflection on moving research forward during COVID-19: Strategies to continue, conclude and commence. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 32(2), 322-324.

Haase, K.R., Strohschein, F.J., Horrill, T., Lambert, L., & Powell, T.L. (2021). International survey of nurses’ experience integrating oncology clinical practice and academic worlds. Nursing Open, 8(5), 2840-2849. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nop2.868

Powell, T.L., Cooke, J., & Brakke, A. (2019). Altered nursing student perspectives: Impact of a pre-clinical observation experience at an outpatient oncology setting. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal (CONJ), 29(1), 33-38. doi:10.5737 /236880762913338

Galica, J., Bilodeau, K., Strohschein, F., Powell, T., Lambert, L., & Truant, T. (2018). Building and Sustaining a Postgraduate Student Network: The Experience of Oncology Nurses in Canada. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal (CONJ), 28(4), 288-293. doi:10.5737/23688076284288293

Selected Presentations

Powell, T., Szabo, J., & Clark, C. (2026, June). Embedding Medical Assistance in Dying within undergraduate nursing education: A creative approach to teaching ethical and relational complexity at end of life. Oral presentation presented at the Biennial Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) Education Conference, Mississauga, ON.

Featured guest on Disrupting Death podcast, "The Alberta Episode" (No. #42) (2026), discussing Alberta's proposed Medical Assistance in Dying legislation and its implications for healthcare access, autonomy, and end-of-life care. URL https://www.disruptingdeath.ca/episodes

Powell, T.L., Lemieux, C., Walker, M. & Dube, A (30 April 2026). From Decision to Bereavement: Lived-Experience Peer Support and Medical Assistance in Dying. CAMAP Research Forum, 2026MAiD Conference. Montreal, QC. Oral Presentation.

Clark, C. & Powell, T.L. (2026, March 7). Who is being protected? Rethinking Alberta’s MAID announcement. Calgary Herald. https://calgaryherald.com/opinion /columnists/opinion-who-is-being-protected-rethinking-albertas-maid-announcement#comments-area

Powell, T. (6 March 2026). Practicing with awareness: Supporting family members connected to MAiD. [Invited talk]. Pat Selmser Rounds, Covenant Health. Edmonton Zone Palliative Care Rounds Oral Presentation (Virtual).

Eggen, L., Patel, I., Clark, C. & Powell, T.L. (23 October 2025). The Intersection of MAID and Palliative Care: Impact and Experience of Palliative Care Professionals and Families. Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Conference. Nanaimo, BC. Panel Presentation.

Best Brains Exchange (BBE) (2025). Dr. Powell participated in a national consultation exploring factors that may contribute to vulnerability and influence requests for Track 2 MAiD. This initiative was supported through a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded project led by Dr. Barbara Pesut and Dr. Sally Thorne.

Dr. Powell was invited by Health Canada to their national consultation on Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) (2025).

Heilman, M., Minders, L. & Powell, T. (21 October 2024). Let’s talk about MAiD: Broadening our awareness and compassion. [Invited–Panel presentation] Palliative Education and Research Conference, Covenant Health. Edmonton, Alberta. Virtual.

• General Faculties Council, Health Community and Education Representative (2026-2029) and University Honours Committee member (2026-2028), Mount Royal University.
• Board Chair and Director (2025 to present), Bridge C-14.
• Social Justice and Equity Committee (2024 to present), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University.
• Research Committee Member (2023-2026). Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology/ Association canadienne des infermières en oncologie (CANO/ACIO).
• Vice-Chair, Collective Bargaining Committee (2020-2022), Mount Royal Faculty Association.