Nursing Week

This Nursing Week, we’re celebrating nurses around the region! The theme, The Power of Nurses to Transform Health, recognizes the vital role nurses play in shaping care, driving innovation, and advocating for patients across every part of our system.

Nurses have an incredible impact in shaping health care, driving innovation, and advocating for patient-centred care. Their knowledge, compassion, and commitment make a difference every single day.

Click here to watch a series of videos on nursing week:

Meet Long Service nurse, Tracey Ramsay, Public Health Nurse with 35+ years in the health system
To celebrate Indigenous Nurses Day on May 12, meet Brieanna Mckimm, Public Health Nurse and learn about her Metis heritage and what drives her work.
To honour International Nurses Day on May 12, meet Dianne Reyes and Marvin Tiania, nurses recruited from the Philippines.
Watch inspirational messages from long service nurses to new grads.

Read this letter from Mary Anne Lynch, Chief Nursing Officer, WRHA.

Browse through a Winnipeg Free Press feature on Nurses Week – including a feature on Dave Erickson, Clinical Resource Nurse, St. Boniface Hospital. Dave discusses his career pivot, from professional singer and bass player in the Winnipeg band Inward Eye, to a career in nursing.

Nurses Week Calendar

Concordia: Nurses Week Calendar of Events 2025
https://home.concordiahospital.mb.ca/
Concordia: Chief Nursing Officer for the Day 2025
May 16, | 12:00 p.m.
https://home.concordiahospital.mb.ca/
Misericordia: Lunch and Learn – Compassionate Clarity, Untangling Mental Illness Mental Wellness and Mental Health by David Steward, Sara Riel Foundation. Open to all.
May 13 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | In-Person | MHC WE-294
https://sarariel.ca/
St. Boniface Hospital: Nurses Week Celebration. All staff invited!
https://linktr.ee/sbhnursesweek2025

Peer Recognitions

We asked you to submit a peer shout-out to recognize their impact and celebrate the strength, heart, and power of nursing. Here are some of the submissions we received:

All the Nurses in PARR

Nominated by: Samantha De Guzman, Unit Clerk, PARR

This special group of nurses has been called upon during some of the most challenging times: during SARS, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Their care, compassion, skill sets, critical thinking, dedication, work ethic and teamwork are unwavering.

Infection Control Professionals

Nominated by: Dolores Sylvestre, Administrative Assistant, WRHA Infection Prevention & Control

All the WRHA Infection Control Professionals deserve nomination. An ICP’s job is sometimes a thankless job. ICPs are dedicated to preventing infections for all requiring care in our region and support all WRHA hospitals and community facilities.

Alison Anderson

Registered Nurse, Manager of Health Services, River Park Gardens

Nominated by: Tracey Kokil, Registered Nurse, BN LTC-CIP, Clinical Services Coordinator, River Park Gardens

Alison has been a nurse for 25 years in Ontario & Manitoba, she has held various roles throughout her career mostly in Long Term Care. She is knowledgeable, kind, accountable and compassionate. She is truly the best Manager.

Dawn Barker

Registered Nurse, Cardiac Clinics, Manitoba Adult Congenital Clinic

Nominated by: Rosalie Grant, RNBN, Cardiac Clinics

Four years ago, Dawn made the jump from the Heart Function Clinic where she became an expert taking on new challenges as the first nurse in the Manitoba Adult Congenital (MACH) clinic. She exemplifies the essence of nursing excellence.

Sheldon Beel

Registered Nurse, Riverview Health Centre

Nominated by: Folake Folarin, Registered Nurse, Riverview Health Centre

Sheldon is a rare gem any nurse would like to work with. He’s respective to staff and residents, approachable and always ready to support and guide young and new nurses.

Erica Berube

Nurse, Victoria Hospital

Nominated by: Ashley Dercach, Recreation Coordinator, Victoria Hospital

Erika is a strong advocate for patients and will do everything she can to ensure that the patients and staff are safe. I think of Erika like a mom, she is caring and nurturing but also firm and direct with patients which they respond well to.

Jay Bodner

Manager Health Services, WRHA Primary Care Renewal

Nominated by: Gurpreet Sandhu, ITDI, primary care

Jay exemplifies the qualities of a driven and motivated healthcare professional who consistently goes above and beyond in his role. His dedication to patient care and advocacy for his staff is truly commendable.

Nitasha Chaudhry

PLN, Urgent Care, Victoria Hospital

Nominated by: Meenakshi, Nursing Assistant, Victoria Hospital

Nitasha is friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and sets a high standard for excellent patient care while providing empathy and compassion to patients and their families. She upholds the dignity, rights and safety of all individuals in her care.

Jean Claudio

Registered Psychiatric Nurse, PACT Hargrave

Nominated by: Kiera Morden, Registered Psychiatric Nurse

Jean has balanced both her personal and professional life with a positive attitude, ambition, and appreciation for others. She has grown from a student to a leader from the time that I have known her at Brandon University. She manages crises and trains new staff.

Andrea Cormier

Primary Care Nurse, Access Winnipeg Wes

Nominated by: Amritpal Kaur, Primary Care Assistant, Access Winnipeg West

Andrea is an outstanding nurse. She always goes the extra mile to make patients feel comfortable and supported. She always ensures patients receive the best care. Her hard work, kindness, and commitment make her a true asset to the healthcare field.

Gabriela Gesualdo

Registered Psychiatric Nurse, CAED – HSC

Nominated by: Allison Shiach, Music Therapist/Counsellor, HSC Mental Health/WHC

Gabriela goes above and beyond the duties in her role. She is compassionate, professional, organized and an inspiring care provider making a huge impact on patients’ recovery.

Lisa Kamstra

Registered Nurse, WRHA Palliative Care Program

Nominated by: Dominique Therrien, Registered Nurse, WRHA Community Palliative Care Program

Lisa is the nurse everybody wants at the bedside. A calming presence, compassionate, kind, with a warm heart. Patients, families and colleagues love being around Lisa. She has amazing work ethic, is a team player, and is always happy to help. She is a true caregiver and nurse at heart!

Beth Hudson-Keddy

Primary Care Nurse, Nor-West Co-op Community Health

Nominated by: Primary Care Nurses of Nor-West Co-op Community Health

Beth is an extraordinary nurse in her primary care role at NorWest Co-op Community Health. She is kind, compassionate, intelligent and is a great advocate for those who need it most. She provides excellent patient care and takes initiative to implement new ideas and improve outcomes. She is professional and practices with high standards.

We have had the privilege to watch Beth flourish into a nurse leader, educator and administrator. She has been involved in vital roles at NorWest including being our nurse vaccination lead during COVID-19, implementation and ongoing operations for our walk-in connected care clinic, NorWest Healthbox and wound care supply and services. She is the co-lead for our Harm Reduction committee and has addressed many challenges effectively such as the logistics of our harm reduction supplies, safer bathrooms and the NorWest Healthbox. In addition, Beth is our social media guru, she has taken the initiative to generate educational material and public health announcements that are essential to our community.

Beth is also a strong advocate for mental health. She provides a safe space not only for her clients but for her colleagues. She is often wearing clothing, buttons or pins reflecting her support for what she believes in. We believe that Beth deserves Nurse of the week! We thank Beth for her ongoing hard work at NorWest Co-op and for continuing to inspire her colleagues every day.

Glaiza Lacerna

Registered Nurse, Victoria Hospital

Nominated by: HCA Victoria Hospital

Glaiza is very hardworking, very professional, very nice and very smart.

Amy Lindal

Licensed Practical Nurse, Riverview Health Centre

Nominated by: Kara Robinson, Rehabilitation Assistant, Riverview Health Centre

Amy is kind, caring and compassionate. She can think outside the box when working with her residents. She empowers them by allowing them to feel purposeful and by often allowing them to make choices for themselves. She is a wonderful mentor.

Shawna McBride

Manager of Patient Care, Churchill Health Centre

Nominated by: Rachelle Walker, Manager of Decision Support and Community Services, Churchill Health Centre

Shawna is a super-nurse! She has helped our community members on the floor as a nurse, a CN and now she is the manager for the ward. Not only does she care for her patients, but she cares for her team, making sure all nurses succeed!

Samantha Mckeen

Cardiac Surgery Access Coordinator RNBN, St. Boniface Hospital

Nominated by: Stephanie Courchaine, Cardiac Surgery Access Coordinator, RNBN, St. Boniface Hospital

Samantha is dedicated to our cardiac surgery patients and makes a big difference in their lives. We are grateful to have her around. She impresses us with her work ethic and organization and delivers high quality results.

Marica Rampone

Registered Nurse, Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg

Nominated by: Heather Dolenuck, Heatlh Care Aide, Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg

Marica is an exceptional nurse. She goes above and beyond for the residents, staff and family members. Marica takes time to understand resident’s needs and is always available for staff if needed.

Aisha Sule

Licensed Practical Nurse, Victoria Hospital

Nominated by: Chantelle Chartier, RNBN, Victoria Hospital

If sunshine had a face, it would be our Aisha. Her gentle approach acknowledges the personhood of coworkers and patients alike. Whether it is dancing with a patient to de-escalate, or being called upon for an IV insertion, Aisha shines brilliantly.

Ashleigh Valen

Registered Nurse, Concordia Hospital

Nominated by: Nicole Hofer, Medical Transcriptionist, Grace Hospital

Ashleigh is dedicated to her team as well as making sure her patients receive the best care. She picks up shifts to help cover when needed and you can always rely on her!

Berlene Villanueva

Nurse Practitioner, St. Boniface Hospital, Renal Health

Nominated by: Carina Kizlik, RNBN, St. Boniface Hospital, Peritoneal Dialysis Unit

Berlene, the first Nurse Practitioner in our Renal Program, is an expert in Renal Health, Peritoneal Dialysis, and Hemodialysis. Despite her demanding role, she consistently supports and mentors our nursing staff, demonstrating outstanding leadership and dedication.