Excellence in nursing

Five P.E.I. nurses chosen for Canada’s 150th Celebration

To mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) wants to honour 150 nurses.

Five nurses from the Island have been chosen by the Association of Registered Nurses of P.E.I. to be honoured for their incredible impact on quality health care.

Here are the profiles of the five P.E.I. nurses who will be showcased in 150 Nurses for Canada recognition:

Colleen Bannon, RN, MN

Colleen Bannon devoted most of her nursing career to teaching students at UPEI. She credits her love of teaching to the strong work ethic instilled in childhood by her father managing the family farm, to her mother being a teacher, and to growing up with 15 siblings.

Colleen has been selected as one of three Canadian lecturers to participate in the university immersion program focusing on population health and program planning for health providers at

Prince County Hospital in Summerside

Sichuan University in Chengdu, China.

She advises UPEI students on international placements in England, Sweden, Costa Rica, Haiti and Saint Lucia, as well as international students studying at UPEI.

Patricia (Trish) Collins, RN, CDE

As a diabetes educator, Trish Collins’ enthusiasm and professionalism have impacted the quality of lives of hundreds of Islanders. Whether a person is a new diabetic or having difficulty controlling diabetes, Trish will personalize her approach with each person.

After determining the client’s needs, she then settles in to address the concern, whether it relates to an issue at home, financial costs associated with equipment or drug coverage, or the need to “normalize” the day-to-day experience of being diabetic.

Katherine Dewar RN

Katherine Dewar is a retired nurse educator who served on numerous provincial and national nursing committees. In her retirement, as an author, she is bringing to light long forgotten nursing stories. Her awardwinning publications include: This Caring Place; The History of the Prince County Hospital and School of Nursing and Those Splendid Girls; The Heroic Service of Prince Edward Island Nurses in the Great War.

She is currently writing the biography of the nationally significant historical nursing figure Georgina Fane Pope, due for release in the fall.

Lorraine Dougan, RN, BN, CNCC(C), PANC(C)

Lorraine Dougan has worked for 29 years in acute care in various leadership and education positions. During the past few years she is frequently seen helping staff with the implementation of electronic health records. Perhaps as important as her contribution to advances in nursing is Dougan’s ability to see humour in stressful situations and her kind and caring attitude toward staff and clients. She is always promoting safe environments.

She makes an immeasurable contribution to National Nursing Week celebrations and ensures that all health professions are recognized.

Tanya Matthews, RN, BScN

Tanya Matthews loves critical care nursing. She is known as a strong proponent of CNA certification and for supporting others in advancing their education. Matthews is frequently seen talking about her experiences as an RN at community gatherings and in front of high school students. And she is always the first to sign up for any staff gathering, fitness challenge, fundraising event, dodge ball or volleyball.

She believes that nursing’s greatest asset is human resources. It is this philosophy that guides her practice and her belief that leaders do not work in isolation — their success comes from recognizing expertise from all colleagues.

For more information on the P.E.I. nurses and the event visit: https://www.cna-aiic. ca/en/about-us/awards-andrecognition/150-nurses-for-canada/prince-edward-island