Tylenol Canada Bursary Program Award
My nursing journey has never followed a straight path—but it has always been driven by purpose. In 2017, I proudly became the first nurse in my family, a milestone shaped by my identity as a first-generation African immigrant and a fierce commitment to confronting health inequities. Nursing called to me because of its core values: compassion, advocacy, and justice—especially for those whose voices are too often unheard.
Yet stepping into the healthcare system revealed a harsh truth, which is that clinical care can sometimes feel disconnected from the real struggles patients endure—struggles like housing insecurity and poverty. That gap ignited something in me. It challenged me to see my role as a catalyst for systemic change.
In 2019, I pursued a double master’s degree in nursing and public health, seeking to weave equity into healthcare leadership. Today, I serve as the Manager of Patient Care Services for the Integrated Schizophrenia Recovery Program at The Royal, while advancing my PhD research focused on schizophrenia and substance use.
Through every step, the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) has been a steadfast partner in my growth. From supporting my undergraduate journey to championing my doctoral work, CNF’s unwavering belief in my potential has been both affirming and empowering. I am also deeply honored to have received the Chapman HRNA Harm Reduction Award, which further inspires my commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care for marginalized populations. Organizations like CNF are vital—they elevate nurses’ voices, especially those navigating the intersections of care, equity, and leadership. They help transform lived experience into evidence-based action.
