Merck Canada Masters Award

All my life I knew I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps by becoming a nurse. In 2014, I began my nursing journey at the University of Ottawa in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. I finished my degree in 2018 as valedictorian of our graduating class. I initially started as a Registered Nurse in Oncology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, then transferred to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to work in Malignant Hematology, specifically leukemia. I discovered my passion for survivorship, advanced care planning and palliative care in oncology, and began my career at Emily’s House to work in pediatric palliative care where I truly found my calling. It is such a privilege and honour to support children and their families during such difficult times, to bring light, laughter and peace to the time they have left together physically. In 2020, I started at the University of Toronto in the Nurse practitioner program, primary health care emphasis, while taking a collaborative specialty in palliative and supportive care. My dream as a nurse practitioner is to work in pediatric palliative care, transforming the advanced care planning process and transition from pediatric to adult care for AYA patients.