Dr. Helen Glass Award

I entered practical nursing at age 18, hopeful but unsure if nursing was a field I was interested in. My closest friends were entering university studying philosophy, sociology, and English. I was jealous!  I soon discovered that not only did I enjoy nursing, I also found an area of practice where I was able to combine my passions for social justice, advocacy, and holistic nursing care, while also being inspired daily by my colleague and clients.  I completed RN studies at Douglas College. I am currently enrolled in the UBC Master of Nursing program. I have worked in primary care for almost 10 years.

I have also had the privilege of working in mental health and substance use, transgender health, HIV outreach, and residential care. Over the past four years, I have realized my passion for clinical education. It has been some of the most fun I have had professionally!  With the support of this scholarship, I will be able to continue my thesis work on sex workers’ experiences of engaging in research through a trauma-informed lens. This work is a contribution toward my larger interest in challenging health inequities, particularly in the context of improving health care access, policies, and services for people who use drugs.

I volunteer extensively at festivals and local art shows, while also fundraising for community organizations, and engaging in community affairs. Following graduation from my MSN program, I hope to continue to engage in work that is challenging, meaningful, and centred around the creation of a more just and equitable health care system.