Vancouver Community 2016 Nursing Week Celebration and Bursary Awards
Vancouver Community recipients of the 2016 Cordula and Günter Paetzold Nursing Education Bursaries
May 9 to 15, 2016 was National Nursing Week. The Canadian Nurses Association theme was “Nurses: With you every step of the way”. At our annual Nursing Week event at VanDusen Gardens on May 10, the Vancouver Professional Practice team brought together Vancouver Community (VC) nurses, VCH nurse leaders, and many supporting nursing organizations to celebrate and honour the significant contribution of our nurses to the health of our clients, our health care system and the Nursing Profession.
Kelvin Britten (Practice Initiative Lead, Professional Practice, VC) hosted the fun and free event. Laura Case (Chief Operating Officer for Vancouver Community) and Barb Lawrie (Vice President, Professional Practice and Chief Clinical Information Officer) opened the festivities by sharing positive and inspirational visions for the future direction of community nursing care. Alison Swalwell-Franks (Director of Vancouver Professional Practice) shared a heartfelt story of the human connection at the heart of nursing care. Annette Floyd (Clinical Coordinator, Bridge Clinic) and Holly Torry (Acting Manager, Public Health, Evergreen CHC) inspired and touched us all by sharing an incredible story of how they, and many VC nurses and volunteers, stepped up to welcome and care for our newest community members, the Syrian refugees.
The celebration culminated in the awarding of the Cordula and Günter Paetzold Nursing Education Bursaries. Stephanie Forgacs, Associate Director, Major Gifts, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation announced the following VC nurse recipients: Amelia Birch, Barbara Harvey, Annie Lau, Eva Perjes, and Shabin Mere. Congratulations to these and all of our Vancouver Community nurses!
We wish to thank all of the dedicated volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and most of all attendees (with the support of their managers and directors) for a successful and inspiring afternoon!