The Dr. Helen K. Mussallem VON Education Fund
Winners include: Fran Betts, Tylia Crook, Karen Curry
Support the future of home care in Canada
The Dr. Helen K. Mussallem VON Education Fund offers an exceptional opportunity
to support the work of VON across Canada and help ensure that VON services continue
to be available for many generations to come. Assisted by grants from this fund,
successful applicants will now able to meet the tuition costs of continuing education
towards improving their knowledge and skill in their particular areas of work.
Dr. Helen K. Mussallem:
Canada's "First Lady of Nursing" and VON Life Member
Companion of the Order of Canada and Canada's most decorated nurse, Dr. Helen K.
Mussallem has been instrumental in reshaping Canadian health care by leading the
charge in moving nursing education out of the hospitals and into new levels of professionalism
and advocacy. Dr. Mussallem began her prestigious career as a staff nurse at Vancouver
General Hospital. Following active service during World War II in Canada and overseas,
she became the Director of Nursing at Vancouver General Hospital’s School of Nursing,
in affiliation with the University of British Columbia. Dr. Mussallem earned her
Bachelor of Nursing degree at McGill University and her Master's degree and Doctorate
at Columbia University. She holds seven Honourary Doctorates and is a recipient
of the Florence Nightingale Medal of the International Red Cross. Dr. Mussallem
is a former Executive Director of the Canadian Nurses Association and a Life Member
and former President of the Board of Directors of VON Canada.
Her passion and relentless drive to improve nursing education have inspired VON
Canada Foundation to create the Dr. Helen K. Mussallem VON Education Fund.
Supporting Staff Education:
An Investment in the Future of Community Health Care in Canada
VON staff members wishing to pursue further education are often limited by financial
constraints. As the costs of education continue to skyrocket, VON nurses and other
staff members are frequently unable to continue their studies without support. The
goal of the Dr. Helen K. Mussallem VON Education Fund is to assist our employees
in improving their knowledge and professional skills in their areas of work by bestowing
grants to help them meet the tuition costs of continuing education.
An opportunity to make a real difference
Your contribution to the Fund is an investment in community health care. Your gift
today will have a lasting impact on VON's ability to serve the needs of Canadians
in need of home care and community support services for many years to come. There
are many ways to give. Your contribution may be donated all at once or pledged
over several months or years. While many choose to donate cash up-front or pledged
over time, you may also choose to consider a planned gift that will minimize your
current obligations, while maximizing the impact of your support. Planned gifts
include leaving a bequest to VON Canada in your will, as well as other
gifts of life insurance, gifts of property, stocks and securities or charitable
annuities. VON Canada or your financial advisor can help you determine
what works best for you.
Click here to donate to the Dr. Helen K. Mussallem VON Education Fund.
You may also send your contribution or request additional information, by contacting
us.
VON STAFF: Please visit www.von.ca/intranet under Fund Development to access guidelines and application forms.