Dorothy Kergin Award

Ever since I was a little kid, I have enjoyed volunteering in my community, from serving food to residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside during elementary school, to babysitting, running workshops, and renovating shelters in Montreal throughout university. It has always given me great pleasure to share time with people I might not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet, while increasing their access to resources.

Despite these interests, it was not until I was completing my Bachelor of Science in physiology that I discovered nursing. During my elective courses on issues in women’s health and women’s reproductive health taught by clinical nurse specialists, I immediately became inspired by the work these nurses were doing. It was in those classes on women’s health that I finally realized there was a career that would combine my passion for community service, with my interest in health. In particular, I developed an interest in maternal-child health amongst vulnerable populations. Once nursing entered my radar, I became increasingly aware of the role of nurses in many of the local organizations that I was already well acquainted with through my volunteering. Now that I am in my final year of my Master’s of Nursing in Global Health, I hope to continue to serve my community, this time in the role of an advanced practice nurse.