She completed her Masters of Science at the University of Toronto, her PhD in Clinical Health Sciences (Nursing) at McMaster University, and a Canadian Health Services Research Foundation postdoctoral fellowship, which focused on the role of the nurse practitioner around pain management specifically in long term care. Dr. Kaasalainen’s research activities have focused on different aspects of gerontology, including program evaluations, caregiver support initiatives, dementia care, medication management, evidence-based practice and pain management in long term care. In 2008, Dr. Kaasalainen received an Ontario Career Scientist award from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and currently she holds a Research Fellowship with the HSFO/Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Cardiovascular Nursing Research. Sharon is leading the QPC-LTC Alliance in southern Ontario.