John J Vanderlee for Male Nursing Award

Hi, my name is Stephen Kimbell. I am a fourth year BScN student at the University of Ottawa and am honoured to be selected to be a recipient of the Canadian Nurses Foundation scholarship.  

I personally owe much of my story to the people whom I have served at drop-in and overnight shelters for our neighbours experiencing homelessness. I have been shaped by these relationships in so many ways, both giving and receiving friendship. For the last seven years, I have worked and volunteered at Restoring Hope Ministries Youth Shelter and Capital City Mission, a drop-in centre in Lowertown Ottawa. I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer at a HIV self testing pilot project offering anonymous testing and treatment to marginalized people. I’ve been blessed to have gotten to know so many amazing people over the years. Through their friendship, I’ve learned that above all, we all need community; hence, throughout my career, I hope, wherever I am and whomever I care for, to bring hope and healing to many.  

I am currently entering my fourth year and am excited to work in emergency care for a couple years, oncology someday in the future, and to potentially pursue a nurse practitioner diploma. In my heart I feel that I am called to serve in the places that have the most need and endeavour to help make this world a little bit better bringing a little bit more love, life, and care to a hurting and broken world.