Dr. Ann C. Beckingham Award
My name is Zineb Bouaouina. I am a nurse clinician at Montreal Heart Institute and a PhD candidate in Nursing Sciences at Université de Montréal.
I decided to become a nurse because I needed to. From a young age, I recognized the importance of being heard. I observed how silence often accompanied people through pain, aging, and moments when words failed. Nursing provides me with the language to break that silence, remain present during difficult times, and support those who are frequently overlooked.
My experience with delirium revealed how profound silence can be. I’ve seen it in older adults and their families, but when someone I love experienced it, I realized how invisible that suffering can be—how easily it remains unrecognized.
That experience transformed my purpose. I am committed to ensuring that silence around such conditions is acknowledged.
As I pursue my PhD, my focus is on enhancing communication between clinicians and families regarding the context of delirium, particularly in marginalized communities. I am dedicated to shaping my future work to prioritize recognition, promote equity, and uphold dignity by fostering meaningful connections. This commitment reflects my belief in creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Receiving the Dr. Ann C. Beckingham Scholarship validates the importance of this work and underscores its value. I am deeply grateful for this recognition.
