Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Summer 2004 ONP Newsletter
It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she's something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power you are a part of.
Emily Carr
Table of Contents
- Deborah Tamlyn ( biography ) takes office of CNA President; Marlene Smadu ( biography ) is President-Elect
- First Nations & Inuit Health Branch Nursing Excellence Awards
- Awards to Judith Shamian and Ginette Lemire Rodger
- Goodbye to Mike Villeneuve
- Career opportunity with the CASN
- Pain management issues
- Best employers for 50-plus Canadians
- Conference Update
- University of Ottawa doctoral program in nursing
- Canadian Nursing Leaders Profiled
- Health Policy Bulletin on HHR
- Consortium for the Advancement of Nursing Science in Canada
- Acting Chief Scientist appointed at Health Canada
CNA & CFNU Give First Joint Leadership Award to Dr. Judith Shamian
This award of merit recognizes the outstanding and unique leadership and dedication of Dr. Judith Shamian, Executive Director, Office of Nursing Policy, Health Canada from 1999 to 2004 in the strategic positioning of the nursing voice in the area of health policy.
Dr. Shamian's courageous work in understanding the workplace of nurses and its impact on the health of nurses has contributed to an increase in the art and science of nursing. Her efforts have lead to a better understanding of the breadth and depth of nursing issues faced by each and every nurse at the local, national and international level.
Dr. Ginette Lemire Rodger Receives the Jeanne Mance Award From CNA
At the opening ceremonies of the CNA Biennial Convention in St. John's, Newfoundland, CNA President Rob Calnan presented nursing leader Dr. Ginette Lemire Rodger with the Jeanne Mance Award.
Calnan said "Dr. Lemire Rodger is a nursing leader who is innovative and a champion for health care. She has dedicated her career to advancing nursing administration, practice, research and education."
Since 1971, CNA has honoured a nurse at its biennial convention and annual general meeting with the Jeanne Mance Award. Past recipients include Huguette Labelle, Helen K. Mussallem, Dorothy Pringle and Janet Rush.
CNA Welcomes New President at Biennial Meeting In St. John's
The future of nursing in Canada:
Shared Leadership, Innovation, and Empowered Spirit
We thank CNA for content in this article taken from their web site, which may be accessed at: 
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).
ST. JOHN'S - 23 June, 2004 - Dr. Deborah Tamlyn took office June 23 as the Canadian Nurses Association's (CNA) 41st president at its annual meeting. In her inaugural speech, the Halifax-based nursing consultant and researcher shared her vision for CNA and the nursing profession: shared leadership, innovation and an empowered spirit. The annual meeting concluded a highly successful three-day convention that attracted over 900 nurses from across Canada to St. John's, Newfoundland. Among the many honoured guests speaking at the conference were the Right Hon. Paul Martin, Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health), Steven Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV-AIDS in Africa, and Canadian author/broadcaster, Rex Murphy, who closed the conference on a high note.
Top of Page"Throughout this convention, we had the opportunity to chart our course and reaffirm our vision for the profession while putting two important nursing issues, public health and patient safety, under the microscope," said Dr. Tamlyn. "I believe that shared leadership, innovation and an empowered spirit are required to build on the vision CNA has set to further develop the nursing profession.
Whether in direct practice, in research, education or administration, nurses are applying innovative ideas and solutions to address the problems of the health care system.
"More and more, nurses have legitimate power and believe in their ability to re-generate and renew the health care system. Across Canada and around the globe we are seeing examples of how nurses can lead initiatives in reshaping the health system to one that addresses the social determinants of health, and is based on principles of primary health care," she added.
As CNA's new president, Dr. Tamlyn believes that in partnership with CNA, RNs are moving forward in their accomplishments as individuals and as a profession. Her vision speaks directly to the current nursing climate in the complex Canadian health care system, which faces many challenges including critical shortages of health professionals and a growing demand for improved care. She believes that nurses in practice, education, administration and research can take a shared leadership role with others to forge new innovative solutions.
"If we are to succeed, we must take risks and build alliances," she said. "We must leave a legacy that outlasts our personal contributions in a place and time. Under the leadership of CNA's past president Robert Calnan and its current executive director, Lucille Auffrey, CNA has done just this by developing best practice guidelines, strengthening the certification program so that nurses can specialize in their chosen area and ensuring that the voice of nursing is heard and remains in the boardrooms of our nation. I owe a great deal of thanks to both these outstanding nurse leaders for blazing the trail and supporting me on my journey. I will continue to build on the strong legacy they have founded." Dr. Tamlyn's term will run from June 2004 - June 2006.
Elected by CNA members during the annual meeting, the president-elect is Dr. Marlene Smadu, Associate Dean (Regina Site), College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan. "I am pleased to accept the position of President-Elect for the CNA," said Dr. Smadu. "This is an important time to be articulate, impassioned and clear about what nursing is, and what its goal is for a healthy society." We also want to acknowledge the leadership and great personal commitment of Dr's. Mary Ferguson Pare and Janet Rush, who also ran for the office of President.
As Deborah begins her 2-year term as President, we bid a fond farewell to outgoing President, Rob Calnan, who made history by being the first male to lead the CNA. Rob will now serve a 2-year term as past-President and will chair the nominations committee for the next biennium. We wish you well Rob - and we send special thanks to Rob's wife and kids for sharing him with us all so generously the past two years with him away from home so much!
CNA's 2006 meeting will be held in Saskatoon. The 100th anniversary meeting will take place in 2008 in Ottawa.
Bio Sketch - Dr. Deborah Tamlyn
Currently President of Tamlyn & Associates Consulting, Professor Emeritus (Nursing) at University of Calgary and Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University, the new CNA President is the former Professor and Dean, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary. She also served as a faculty member and Director of the School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, which included cross appointments to the School of Health Services Administration and to the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
Tamlyn's accomplishments span across Canada and the world. Nationally, she has held leadership offices in several organizations - included among them are President of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) and the Chair of the Alberta Nurses Administrators.
In addition, Tamlyn has participated in international projects involving nursing education development in Thailand, Japan, Europe, the UK and Africa. Her commitment to nursing practice is evident in the relevancy of her research and publications in the area of nursing practice, education, nursing care plans, addictions and leadership. But Tamlyn also strongly believes in the importance of maintaining balance in our lives. She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes three children involved in a variety of outdoor pursuits.
Bio Sketch - Dr. Marlene Smadu
CNA President-Elect, Marlene Smadu, RN, EdD is the Associate Dean, Regina Site, for the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan. Prior to that she served as the Principal Nursing Advisor (2000-2002) for the government of Saskatchewan and Assistant Deputy Minister of Health (1998-2000), and worked as Education Consultant and Executive Director at the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (1994-1998).
Dr. Smadu is vice-chair of the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, and a member of Health Canada's National Expert Committee for Inter-professional Education for Collaborative Patient-Centred Practice. She is an Associate faculty with the CIHR/CHRSF National Training Centre for Knowledge Transfer. Her research interests include health human resource planning and development, aboriginal health, the development of quality workplaces, quality improvement, primary health care, health policy, knowledge transfer, and leadership.
Goodbye To Michael Villeneuve
It is with very heavy hearts that the Office of Nursing Policy announces Michael's departure in July to join the Canadian Nurses Association as Senior Consultant for a two-year interchange term. Michael has held the position of Senior Nursing Policy Consultant in the ONP for the past four years. During this time he has provided policy support, analysis and direction to senior nursing, health care and government leaders at local, national and international levels. He provided support to the Canadian Nursing Advisory Committee and managed the ONP's communications, briefings and speeches. During 2003, Michael represented Health Canada at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, where he had a lead hand in the analysis and writing of the nursing human resources project within the larger OECD Health Systems study.
Michael brought to his position at ONP a varied and diverse background in the health system, having worked as a nursing attendant, staff nurse, instructor, lecturer, and clinical nurse specialist. From 1991 to 1994, he served as Research Coordinator of the Quality of Nursing Worklife Research Unit at the University of Toronto and was a member of Ontario's Nursing Advisory Committee. He also worked for Health Canada in charge of an isolated outpost nursing station in Northern Manitoba, and from 1994-1999, was Patient Care Manager of the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit and Neuro/Trauma/Plastic Surgery Unit at Sunnybrook and Women's Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.
But to list Michael's accomplishments does not begin to describe the man. As a colleague, Michael not only carries more than his share of the load, but is constantly willing to assist others in their endeavours. He is equally comfortable being a team leader or a team member and makes valuable contributions in either capacity. His communication skills are exemplary - and he is at home talking with either students or Deputy Ministers. He is a gifted writer whether it be a policy speech, an academic paper, an editorial or a note to a sick friend. He approaches each task with conscientiousness and diligence, always striving to do his very best. His knowledge of nursing and health policy issues is extensive and has benefited the ONP on a continual basis.
But describing Michael's knowledge and skills still does not convey the essence of the man. For as some of us leave fingerprints, Michael leaves heart-prints. He maintains strong interests in diversity, human rights and social justice issues - and it is in this arena that we begin to understand the real Michael. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, regardless of whatever opposition he encounters. He has the quiet confidence and the strength to support others. He has the vision and the determination to do what he knows is right. His loyalty and generosity with friends and co-workers is unquestionable and unwavering. And throughout his compassion run constant themes of humour and practicality which make it all the more real. In a world of 'givers and takers', Michael is a true giver who expects nothing in return. He has left his heart-print on all of us.
We will miss Michael, but are pleased to know that through our close relationship with the Canadian Nurses Association, we will continue working with him, albeit in a new capacity. We wish him success and happiness in his new role.
Career Opportunity
Canadian Association of Schools Of Nursing
The CASN Board of Directors has announced that Executive Director, Wendy McBride, will retire at the end of 2004. As the ED since 1994, Wendy guided CASN and developed programming to serve its members which now includes 91 universities, university colleges, and colleges offering degree programs in nursing. The data collections, publications, conferences and awards of CASN have all increased over the past decade and the accreditation program is now recognized as the national process for ensuring quality in baccalaureate nursing education.
Deadline to receive applications for the ED position is August 15, 2004. For the position description and full information please contact:
Jo-Anne Swanson
Director, Corporate Services
jswanson@casn.ca
CASN/ACESI
99 Fifth Avenue, Ste 15
Ottawa ON K1S 5K4
Tel: 613-235-3150 x 25
Fax: 613-235-4476
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Awards of Excellence in Nursing
On May 14, 2004, Health Canada presented two Awards of Excellence in Nursing to nurses serving First Nations and Inuit communities. The awards were presented by Deputy Minister Ian Green on behalf of Minister Pierre Pettigrew at a ceremony in Ottawa as part of National Nursing Week. "These nurses are making outstanding contributions to improving the health of Aboriginal people and to advancing the goals of the nursing profession," said Deputy Minister Green. "They bring their expertise, dedication and innovative ideas for promoting health to their work with communities and deserve to be honoured for the difference they are making." The winners of this year's awards are Barbara Martin and Jan Kroll.
Health Canada launched the "First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Award of Excellence in Nursing" in 2003, to recognize the contribution of nurses to First Nations and Inuit communities. The department employs 800 nurses, including Barbara Martin, who works primarily in First Nations communities south of 60. Health Canada also works closely with a further 600 nurses, including Jan Kroll, who are directly employed by communities.
Jan Kroll is a diabetes nurse educator and supervisor employed by the Prince Albert Grand Council in Saskatchewan since 1995. Ms. Kroll set up a diabetes program in the community that aims to prevent type-2 diabetes and help those who have it manage the disease.
" Jan Kroll is a role model of the healthy lifestyle that she so passionately encourages others to work towards," says Elaine Conacher, a diabetes nurse educator who has been mentored by Ms. Kroll. "She takes care of herself as well as all those around her."
Ms. Kroll has succeeded in expanding the staff of the diabetes program from two employees to six - including nurses, dietitians and outreach workers. She is a member of the National Diabetes Educators Section of the Canadian Diabetes Association and a member of its provincial committee. She also partnered with an urban diabetes program to help them deliver culturally sensitive programs in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Ms. Kroll leads diabetes education activities in her community and with regional and provincial associations, where her "rapport, humour and teaching style are greatly appreciated," says Anne Unsworth, Community Health Services Manager, who nominated her for the award.
Because much of Ms. Kroll's work is related to type 2 diabetes, she seeks opportunities to learn and contribute to efforts to help people cope with type 1 diabetes. In the summer, she takes a week of holidays and volunteers as a camp nurse at a nearby children's diabetes camp.
Barbara Martin of Six Nations, Ontario, is a community health nurse employed by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. She is also a diabetes educator and Six Nations band member.
Ms. Martin is passionate about helping people with diabetes. Of the 10,000 people in her community, approximately 40 percent have diabetes. On her own time and at her own expense, Ms. Martin studied and became a certified diabetes educator. She co-founded a diabetes program, working with a team of about 8 people, who reach out to all community members. They offer screening for type 2 diabetes in schools, counselling for people of all ages, and classes on adapting lifestyles to cope with the disease. To support the program, Ms. Martin and the community have raised money through yard and bake sales. She also turned to pharmaceutical companies and associations to acquire the latest technology to use in her program - insulin pens, glucometers, computer software and educational resources.
Ms. Martin is the co-chair of the Grand River Chapter of the Diabetes Educator Section of the Canadian Diabetes Association and a board member of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Brantford Chapter.
In praising Barbara Martin for her contribution to Six Nations on many fronts, former Band Councillor Alton C. VanEvery said, "Barbara not only makes her patients feel positive about their illness, but she goes the extra mile to make sure they get the best followup medical attention available."
Over her long career in nursing, Barbara Martin has mentored many medical and nursing students and provided diabetes training to nurses and personal support workers. Karen Martin, a fellow nurse who nominated her for the award, concluded: "Barbara Martin is a living, breathing example of nursing excellence!"
Conference Update
May | September | October | November
May
21-27 May 2005
Abstract Deadline: Sep 15 2004
23rd Quadrennial Congress of the International Council of Nurses. Nursing on the Move: Knowledge, Innovation and Vitality
Taipei Taiwon
For more information, go to The ICN 23rd Quadrennial Congress
September
Septembre 14-16, 2004
2imes Journées Nationales d'Etudes des Directeurs des Soins
l'Association française des directeurs des soins en partenariat avec le Secrétariat international des infirmières et infirmiers de l'espace francophone
Dijon France
October
October 2 - 6, 2004
The 12th Cochrane Colloquium
The Colloquium is the annual conference of The Cochrane Collaboration ( The Cochrane Collaboration), an organization dedicated to the creation and worldwide dissemination of up-to-date, accurate information about the effectiveness and safety of healthcare treatments. The overall theme of the Ottawa Colloquium is "Bridging the Gaps". Through plenary sessions, oral presentations, posters, and workshops, we will identify and address the gaps that exist between The Cochrane Collaboration and clinical practice, between high-income and low-income economies, between methodologists and reviewers, and between producers and users of Cochrane reviews. To find out more about the Colloquium or to register online, please visit the Colloquium web site at: 13th Cochrane Colloquium
Ottawa ON
October 21-23, 2004
Fifth National Canadian Rural Health Research Society Conference and Fourth International Rural Nursing Congress. Rural Health: Celebrating Diversity and Strength
Sudbury, ON
For more information, go to Canadian Rural Health Research Society Conference
October 28-30, 2004
Health, Work & Wellness Conference
8th Annual Health, Work & Wellness Conference
Transforming the Organization
Vancouver BC
For more information, go to Health, Work & Wellness
November
November 10-12, 2004
10th International Pediatric Nursing Research Symposium (IPNRS)
Montreal, Quebec
www.ipnrs-sirsip.com
November 17-20, 2004
The 8th Nursing Research Conference
Seville Spain
For more information, go to Unidad de coordinación y desarrollo de la Investigación en Enfermería
U of Ottawa Doctoral Program In Nursing
The Faculty of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing are delighted to announce that, subject to the approval of the Senate of the University of Ottawa, a PhD in nursing program will be offered beginning September 2004. Applications are currently being accepted for FT students. Once final Senate approval is received, relevant documents will be posted on the School website. In the meantime, we encourage potential candidates to apply. I would be pleased to have them contact me if they would like to discuss the program.
Jean Dunning, RN, PhD
Assistant Director, School of Nursing - Graduate Programs
University of Ottawa
451 Smyth Rd.
Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5
Tel: (613) 562-5800 Ext: 8422
Fax: (613) 562-5800 Ext 5443
Pain Management: A Patient Safety, Quality Work Environment, And Ethical Issue For Nursing?
BC Nurses' Pain Issues Working Group, May 2004
In the late 1980's new technologies, new medications, and new organizational strategies for pain management opened the door to a new era in which pain management professionals believed pain could be all but eradicated, particularly in acute care settings. Now some 15 years later, this dream has not been realized. Rather, ineffective pain management is prevalent across health care settings including - hospitals, long term care settings, community and at the interface between these settings. Numerous studies show that 40-70% of patients in acute care hospitals suffer from pain, a statistic that has not changed significantly over the years. Ineffective pain management casts a dark shadow over the health experience of patients and many of their families and places some patients at increased risk for morbidity and mortality.
In trying to understand the extent of, and reasons behind this issue, we began by reflecting on stories and cases from our teaching and nursing practices. We then conducted an extensive literature search and concurrently spoke with nurses from elsewhere in Canada, the US, and Germany about their experiences. Our concerns about the issue were validated both by the literature and expert nurses. Ineffective pain management is not a local artifact, rather it is widespread and is multifactorial arising from: the complexity of pain management; the lack of understanding of pain management by nurses, physicians, medical and nursing faculty, patients, and families; interdisciplinary practices; organizational structures and practices; and, accreditation processes.
Our next step in better understanding the issues related to pain management was to conduct a survey of an in-house interdisciplinary pain management working group in a tertiary care setting. Of the 14 respondents, all noted that there were organizational processes to support a pain management initiative, but there were gaps in the areas of documentation, use of standards, and assessment, accountability processes, access to information, patient and family education, staff education, and quality improvement.
Nonetheless, there is evidence of effective and innovative practices in the area of pain management in health care settings. A Clinical Nurse Specialist in Cardiac Surgery, Jocelyn Reimer-Kent, developed a highly effective clinical practice guideline geared at preventing postoperative pain, a strategy featured in M. Rachlis' new book "Prescription for Excellence: How innovation is saving Canada's Health Care System". Perhaps there are lessons to be learned from Reimer-Kent on how this issue might be addressed in other settings.
Because of the widespread and complex nature of the problem and the seriousness of the issue, we believe it is time to think differently about pain management, and that Canadian nursing leaders, such as provincial professional associations and health ministries, CNA, CASN, Health Canada Office of Nursing Policy must embrace ineffective pain management as a patient safety, quality work environment, and ethical issue for nursing and take effective action to improve practice. We hope to partner with nurses across Canada to catalyze change. If you are interested in partnering with us to move this agenda forward, please contact:
Janice Muir: jmuir@providencehealth.bc.ca
Lynne Young: leyoung@interchange.ubc.ca
Co-Chairs BC Nurses' Pain Issues Working Group
Canadian Nursing Leaders Profiled
We are proud of the senior nurse leaders within the governments of Saskatechewan, Ontario and New Brunswick, who are profiled in the current issue of Nursing Leadership. Join us in congratulating Carolyn Hoffman (SK), Sue Matthews (ON) and Alice Theriault (NB). To see the full article, point your browser to: Longwoods Publishing Corporation
Health Policy Research Bulletin Focuses On HHR
Health Canada's Health Policy Research Bulletin features a full edition focused on health human resources in its newest release - Issue 8, May 2004. Articles focus on workforce shortages, demographics changes, and interdisciplinary teams. Shamian, Villeneuve and Simoens discuss working conditions in the context of growing demand for nurses. Hard copies will be mailed to organizations and the bulletin is online at:
Health Policy Research Bulletins
(See "Health Policy Research Bulletin")
Consortium for the Advancement of Nursing Science in Canada
Starting in August 2004, Dr. Pat Griffin will be spending part of her time for the next 6 months exploring the feasibility of establishing a Consortium for the Advancement of Nursing Science . The Canadian Nurses Foundation is generously providing office space for this endeavour.
In October 2002, the Office of Nursing Policy, in partnership with other key nursing groups, convened an invitational Think Tank, called Pathfinding for Nursing Science in the 21st Century 1. The goals of the meeting were to:
- create an occasion for nurse scientists and policy-makers to describe issues and opportunities to positively affect the future direction and capacity of nursing science in Canada, and
- identify actions and directions that stakeholders could consider, both individually and collectively, to move the nursing science agenda forward.
The top priority issue identified at the meeting, and further discussed at a follow-up meeting in 2003, was the need for a coordinated voice for nursing science in this country. The proposed establishment of this Consortium is a response to this need.
Tentatively called a Consortium for the Advancement of Nursing Science, it would allow nursing to present a unified approach. Specifically, it has been suggested that the Consortium would:
- be a unified voice for nursing science;
- facilitate capacity-building in nursing research;
- foster partnerships to address current and future nursing research and knowledge translation issues and opportunities;
- facilitate collaborative strategic planning for research development;
- highlight the contribution of nurses through research and knowledge translation to the well-being of Canadians; and
- Influence health policy development based on research.
Initially five nursing organizations - Academy of Chief Executive Nurses (ACEN), Canadian Association for Nursing Research (CANR), Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), and the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF)) - are collaborating to explore this further.
The first steps of this process will include:
- confirming support from key nursing organizations,
- achieving consensus concerning the purpose, functions and governance of the Consortium,
- establishing priority initiatives and translating these into a five-year strategic plan.
- exploring funding opportunities, and
- establishing communication vehicles.
The Office of Nursing Policy is pleased to be able to lend this development support.
Acting Chief Scientist Appointed at Health Canada
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest, the current G.D.W. Cameron Visiting Chair, has agreed to take on the duties of Acting Chief Scientist until the process to recruit a permanent Chief Scientist is complete.
In this capacity, Dr. Forest will ensure the highest possible standard for the science research conducted by the Department, provide advice on science and policy issues. The Department has greatly benefitted from Dr. Forest's role as the Cameron Visiting Chair and will continue to benefit as he takes on these new responsibilities. With his strong background and expertise as an academic researcher and administrator, his knowledge of the research community and its issues, and his contributions to many health research organizations, Dr. Forest will continue to provide Health Canada with strong leadership and continue to reinforce our profile as a highly recognized science institution.
Best Employers for 50-plus Canadians
The Best Employers for 50 Plus Canadians award will grow to become an important award in the coming years as the number of older workers increases in the workforce. We are interested in your "good news stories", ways your organization has introduced or tried new ideas or programs with older employees and reaped rewards for the individuals, teams or organization. We seek to recognize distinct programs or initiatives that have raised the bar of excellence through their ground breaking, inventive or novel approach to addressing workplace issues with older workers.
CARP is searching for great practices in the categories of career development, retention, recruitment, workplace culture, management practices, retirement practices and benefits. Developing new ways to retain and attract older employees will become a priority for smart organizations in order to establish themselves as an employer of choice in a competitive labour market. Your organization or team stories will form the basis for these great practices.
Listed below is background information and tips for applying.
Eligibility:
All workplaces with more than 20 employees can apply. CARP welcomes applications from all sectors - private, not-for-profit, academic institutions, labour organizations and governments. The application may come from one or more business sections within an organization.Tell us your story.
For full information, please contact:
CARP Best Employers for 50 Plus Canadians
Attention: Barbara Jaworski
1304- 27 Queen St. East
Toronto, ON
M5C 2M6
e.vengroff@50plus.com
Notes
1 Office of Nursing Policy, Health Canada. (2003). Pathfinding for nursing science in the 21st Century: Where to from Here? Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership, 16(1), 75-81.
