A Brock University professor and two students are being individually recognized for their impact in the world of nursing.

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) has honoured Department of Nursing Assistant Professor Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy with the 2018 Leadership Award in Nursing Education (Academic).

“I am extremely honoured to be thought of in this regard, by not only students at Brock University, but also the faculty, clinical instructor and staff who nominated me,” she says. “Since coming to Brock in January 2016, I have always felt extremely supported to share new ideas and pilot my approaches to teaching and research. This award is special because it comes from all of the people I have been collaborating with.”

Brock Nursing student Gwendolyn French received the RNAO 2018 Student of Distinction award on Friday, April 20.

The leadership award, which O’Keefe-McCarthy received on Friday, April 20, is given to those who have made outstanding contributions to the profession of nursing in Ontario. The recipient practices excellence as a nursing educator in a college or university setting and enhances the image of nursing by encouraging critical thinking, innovation and debate about important nursing issues. They also act as a role model and mentor.

Among her teaching contributions at Brock, O’Keefe-McCarthy has designed an emergency cardiac arrest simulation-based workshop to provide nursing students with an experiential education opportunity that enables them to consolidate their skills in an emergent nursing clinical situation.

“Using Brock’s high fidelity critical care simulation-man, we are able to provide simulated learning experiences that allow our students to combine their knowledge, and practical and critical thinking skills to respond to a patient that has no vital signs. Within the first five minutes, students will initiate emergency assistance and perform immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),” explains O’Keefe-McCarthy.

Brock Nursing student Gwendolyn French was also honoured by the RNAO with the 2018 Student of Distinction award. This provincial award is given to an undergraduate Nursing student who has made significant contributions acting as a change agent, resource and mentor within her undergraduate program and has been actively involved in RNAO regions, chapters and/or interest groups.

French was recognized for her passion for health care and her political advocacy promoting important health-care issues on social media, such as national pharmacare, the minimum wage and community health issues.

“It’s important that MPPs recognize the importance of making sure the policy that is being developed is in the best interests of Ontarians,” says French.

French, who has earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will be graduating on Monday, June 4. She hopes to utilize her knowledge to enrich the future of nursing through education and eventually develop and influence healthy public policy.

Brock nursing student Jackie Hoelzli, who will begin her fourth-year in September, was awarded the Ontario Dorothy Ferguson Scholarship by the Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario during their Annual Gala on Wednesday, May 2. This scholarship is given annually to a student who demonstrates outstanding leadership potential.

Hoelzli is known for her willingness to take on various leadership roles including, acting as a student simulation lab educator and orientating new research assistants. She also worked closely with O’Keefe-McCarthy as part of Brock’s Match of Minds program which provides employment opportunities for students across all faculties, intended to enhance their employability in future research positions.

“Jackie was my Match of Mind student for 2017 and worked alongside me in my Heart Innovation Research program, says O’Keefe-McCarthy. “She is someone who embraces every opportunity for optimal learning experiences, is extremely committed to her education and is able to translate her knowledge into effective bedside, clinical nursing.”

Through the Match of Mind’s program, Hoelzli received mentorship and guidance to further develop her skills and interest in clinical nursing, nursing education and research.

“The field of nursing has a tradition of excellence and these prestigious awards are a testament to Brock’s commitment to high quality nursing education,” says Department of Nursing Chair Dawn Prentice. “The recipients should be very proud of their accomplishments. I expect each of them will continue to make positive contributions towards making individuals and communities healthier.”