Dr. Judith Shamian Fund
View the 2009 Winners
A new continuing education opportunity was launched in 2008 for VON
nurses. In December 2007, VON Canada announced that Dr.
Judith Shamian committed a charitable gift of more than $100,000 to
support VON Canada staff. Consequently, the Dr. Judith Shamian Endowment
Fund was created to advance management and leadership education for VON
staff across the country.
Following this public announcement, the Dorothy Wylie Nursing Leadership
Institute (DWNLI) expressed great interest in this initiative and
offered VON staff an opportunity to attend the Institute in 2008 and
2009.
Therefore, thanks to the Dr. Judith Shamian Fund and the DWNLI, four VON
nurses were able to attend the 2008 Institute, and two more will be able
to access it in 2009. This 16th Institute runs from May 19 - 23, 2009
with a follow up session on November 7 and 8, 2009 at the BMO Institute
for Learning in Toronto, Ontario. VON Canada agrees to support this
initiative by permitting participation in the program on work time,
except for the follow-up weekend. The only cost to VON nurses, or their
sites, is transportation.
Since 2001, more than 1,100 nurse leaders from all roles across the
country have been enthusiastic participants of the Dorothy Wylie
Leadership Institute. The DWNLI (www.dwnli.ca) is a unique leadership
program. Here are some of the key features:
- Evidence-based conceptual frameworks
- Expert facilitators; current and relevant guest faculty
- Experiential learning design
- Multi-person registration (each organization must register at
least two individuals - preferably an established leader and an emerging
leader - to aid in mentoring and succession planning)
- Home-based change projects
- Superb residential setting
- Week-long session and reinforcing follow-up weekend
We invite all interested VON staff to apply by completing the
application form before March 27th, 2009. Selection will be made by the
end of April. Guidelines, criteria, and the application form are
attached below.
Over the five years of the pledge, Dr. Shamian, President and CEO of VON
Canada, will provide a minimum gift of $20,000 per year. VON Canada
extends an invitation to all to add their support with a gift
or pledge to help build the Dr. Judith Shamian Fund or to consider
another form of charitable giving to VON Canada or one of
VON's 52 sites across the country.
VON Canada raises funds to support the work of VON across
Canada. VON Canada provides funding for education, research and
program development initiatives, all of which ensure that VON will
continue to deliver home care and community support programs to
Canadians when and where they need them.
For more information or to make a gift or pledge of support, visit
www.givetovon.ca or call VON Canada at
613-288-3489.
2009 Winners:
Deborah A. Conrad R.N.
Intake VON Eastern Region Corporate Centre
Project Coordinator: Safer Health Care Now! Medication Reconciliation In Homecare Pilot Project
I believe that the knowledge I will gain from the Dorothy Wylie Nursing leadership Institute will be valuable as I continue to support, lead, and engage in Quality and Risk Management activities within VON.
I believe empowering people is the key to positive, active engagement at work and in the community. I am continuously looking for ways to improve my skills as a leader in order to facilitate this. The knowledge and skills acquired through education such as this will be invaluable to me in my continued efforts to spread the continuous quality improvement virus through the organization.
Thank you to the Dr. Judith Shamian Fund and the selection committee for giving me this amazing opportunity!
Sandra MacDonald RN BScN CCHN (c)
Nurse Manager Greater Halifax
VON Canada
Attending the Dorothy Wylie Nursing Leadership Institute would assist me in developing stronger management skills, providing me with an improved skill set to work collaboratively with nurses and my fellow managers.
In order for VON to reach our strategic goals it is important that all staff are committed to these goals. For VON to be a preferred employer it is important that our managers are supportive and positive leaders, encouraging our staff to develop in the community health setting. I believe receiving ongoing education regarding managing in the current health environment will enable me to be a stronger manager and member of the VON team.