Mount Royal University continues restoration work following a cyber incident affecting university systems and services. Some links on mtroyal.ca and mymru.ca may not work. Visit our updates page for the latest information.

Faculty & Staff


Pattie A. Pryma, PhD, MEd, PMATD

Academic Title: Associate Professor

Contact Information

Office:  Y469
Office number: 403 440-6886
Email: ppryma@mtroyal.ca

 

Education
PhD, University of Alberta
MEd, University of Alberta
BScN, University of Saskatchewan
Post-Master's Art Therapy Diploma, St Stephen's College

Dr. Pattie A. Pryma, PhD, RN, PMATD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Mount Royal University. Her diverse clinical background encompasses psychiatry, emergency medicine, maternal care, and educating internationally trained nurses. Dedicated to global health, she spent 2012–2018 in Ethiopia with the Ethio-Canada Maternal Newborn Child Health Project, partnering with the University of Alberta to reduce maternal and child mortality by enhancing midwifery mentorship and emergency skills capacity. Believing that everyone has a story to tell, Dr. Pryma explores creative expression to elevate personal narratives. A credentialed Art Therapist with a Post Master’s Diploma from St. Stephen’s College, her doctoral research leveraged photo-voice to amplify the strength of domestic violence survivors. At Mount Royal, her interdisciplinary research focuses on art journaling and creative self-care to promote student and faculty well-being, notably published in Routledge's Healthy Relationships in Higher Education (2022).

 

Areas of Instruction

  • Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing
  • Family Newborn Health
  • Simulation
  • Bridge to Canadian Nursing
  • Research
  • Family Nursing

 

Area of Scholarship

  • Mental Health
  • Self Care
  • Art Therapy
  • Creative modalities for Self Care
  • Simulation in Nursing

 

Teaching pattern

Teaching-Scholarship-Service


Selected Publications
Pryma, P.A. (2022) Seeing Past the Mask: Rejuvenating Academia through Art Based Self-Care. In Lemon, N. (Ed.), Healthy Relationships in Higher Education: Promoting Wellbeing Across Academia. (Ch 9).

Pryma, P. (2016). Realizing Partnership: Working Together to Empower Midwifery Education through an International and Collaborative Training Program in Ethiopia. Ethiopia Public Health Association 27th Annual Scientific Conference and General Assembly Meeting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Pryma, P.A., Hegadoren, K., Lasiuk, G. (2015). Women's Stories of Strength and Hope: advocating for women who have experienced intimate partner violence. 6th World Congress on Women's Mental Health, Tokyo, Japan

Pryma, P.A. (2014). Working with Women to Uncover their Strengths Following Interpersonal Violence. reIgnite Addiction and Mental Health Nursing Conference, Edmonton, A.B.

Pryma, P.A. (2013). Women Framing their Journey from Interpersonal Violence to Positive Change. Nursing Network on Violence Against Women 2013, Vancouver, B.C.

Selected Presentions
Pryma, P. A. (2025, January 3–7). Student well-being through art journaling and creative art practices [Conference presentation]. The 5th IAFOR International Conference on Arts & Humanities, Honolulu, HI, United States. https://iicahhawaii.iafor.org/

Pryma, P.A., Breigel, M. Art Based Interventions to Reduce Anxiety Levels Amongst College Students. MRFA Spring Retreat 2022.

Pryma, P. (2016). Realizing Partnership: Working Together to Empower Midwifery Education through an International and Collaborative Training Program in Ethiopia. Ethiopia Public Health Association 27th Annual Scientific Conference and General Assembly Meeting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Role: Invited Speaker)

Pryma, P.A., Hegadoren, K., Lasiuk, G. (2015). Women's Stories of Strength and Hope: advocating for women who have experienced intimate partner violence. 6th World Congress on Women's Mental Health, Tokyo, Jaapan. (Role: Presenter)

Pryma, P.A. (2014). Listening to Women's Voices of Strength. The Patient Voice -Mt Royal University Signature Event, Mt Royal University, Calgary, AB. (Role: Presenter)

Pryma, P.A. (2013). Women Framing their Journey from Interpersonal Violence to Positive Change. Nursing Network on Violence Against Women 2013, Vancouver, B.C. (Role: Presenter)


Relevant Community Service

  • Art Therapy for Youth Experiencing Loss
  • Grief Counselling with Solace Grief Support Society
  • Youth Leader at High River United Church
  • Connect and Create -Art Therapy for Seniors in High River