Megan O'Connell

Megan O'Connell is a Professor and Faculty Member in Psychology and Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. She holds an Associate Membership in the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, Medicine, and serves as a Clinical Psychologist specialized in Neuropsychology with the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC). She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Victoria, along with an M.A. and B.A. Honors degree. Her research focuses on dementia assessment and interventions, telemedicine applications for rural healthcare, caregiver support systems, and technology integration in aging populations.

Dr. O’Connell has received substantial research funding through grants like the New Frontiers in Research Fund ($24M CAD), CIHR grants ($2.1M CAD), and the Weston Family Foundation ($12.2M CAD). She leads projects addressing culturally safer dementia care in Indigenous communities, interprofessional primary care readiness, and cognitive rehabilitation via telehealth. Her lab is managed by Research Coordinator Shoshana Green, who oversees operations and grant administration.

Her work emphasizes rural health disparities, particularly in dementia diagnosis and support. Recent studies include longitudinal analyses of pre-COVID-19 social isolation impacts, telehealth-based cognitive interventions, and cross-national cognitive measure harmonization. She actively collaborates with organizations like the Alzheimer Society of SK and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to advance dementia care equity and interdisciplinary practice.

Dr. O’Connell has supervised 28 practicum placements and mentored numerous graduate students. Notable advisees include Karl Grewal (clinical neuropsychology at Glenrose Hospital), Jake Ursenbach (private clinical practice in Calgary), and August Kortzman (currently at the Rural and Remote Memory Clinic). Her research narrative bridges clinical neuropsychology with public health imperatives, addressing both individual patient needs and systemic healthcare challenges.