4 Canadian MS nurses among 11 honored for excellence in care
International Nightingale Awards support innovative projects helping patients
Four Canadian nurses are among the 11 recipients of this year’s International Nightingale Awards, which support innovative projects aimed at improving care for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Presented annually by the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN), the awards are open to MS nurses living and working outside the U.S. Recipients receive a $5,000 grant to fund activities or programs that seek to improve MS care and education.
The initiative is supported by Merck KGaA, which is known as EMD Serono in the U.S. and Canada.
“The IOMSN Nightingale Awards empower nurses to bring bold ideas to life, driving meaningful change for those living with MS,” Bonnie Blain, president of the IOMSN, said in a press release from EMD Serono. “These awards not only recognize achievement but also inspire continued innovation and leadership in nursing.”
Awards program funds projects, support groups, research
The program funds current projects that require ongoing or additional funding, such as self-support groups, wellness classes, or educational programs. It also supports proposed time-limited projects in a field related to MS nursing, personal activities to support the professional growth of MS nurses, and nursing research in MS or in a related field.
Applicants must be nurses or physician assistants with experience in MS or related fields, preferably members of IOMSN or MS-certified nurses. Those living in the U.S. or employed by pharmaceutical companies are not eligible.
“As a company dedicated to advancing multiple sclerosis care for over 25 years, we recognize that MS nurses play a vital role in providing care and support to patients,” said Javed Alam, managing director of EMD Serono Canada. “We are excited to collaborate with the IOMSN in this initiative, which celebrates nursing professionals and supports impactful projects that enhance patient outcomes.”
This year’s Canadian recipients of the International Nightingale Awards include Shantha George, a community MS nurse practitioner in Edmonton who will use the funding to support her Fight Back: Living Well with MS program. The initiative promotes mental health through lifestyle changes, including breathing techniques, drumming, and yoga.
I am honored to celebrate these Canadian Nightingale Recipients whose impactful work has the potential to improve the lives of their patients and resonate across their communities.
The award will also help Stephanie McLeod, a nurse practitioner in Calgary, to develop a new educational program to empower people with MS and their families.
Lou-Anne Robertson, a registered nurse in Red Deer, will use her award for an initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of MS nurse certification. Finally, Trudy Campbell, a nurse practitioner in Nova Scotia, will be using her award for a project focused on evidence-based holistic care and promoting healthy aging in people with MS.
“I am honored to celebrate these Canadian Nightingale Recipients whose impactful work has the potential to improve the lives of their patients and resonate across their communities,” Blain said.
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