National 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 Gabe, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Deer Lodge Centre
- Meet Sarah, Indigenous Registered Nurse at Deer Lodge Centre
- Meet Bryan, Facility Patient Care Manager at St. Boniface Hospital and CEO of Arabelle’s Bakery
- Plus many more stories!
Nurses Week Calendar
- Nursing Week and Allied Health Professionals Week Events at Victoria Hospital
May 11 – 17 | For VH staff only - Nursing Week and Allied Health Professionals Week Events at Seven Oaks General Hospital
May 11 – 17 | For SOGH staff only - National Nursing Week 2026 (May 11 – 17) – The Power of Nurses to Transform Health, hosted by the Canadian Nurses Association
May 11 – 17 | Each day 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Virtual - Nursing Week and Allied Health Professionals Week Events at Misericordia Health Centre
May 11 – 17 - The Power of Nurses to Transform Health – Nursing Week 2026 at St. Boniface Hospital – Click here for full calendar.
May 11 | 11 a.m. | SBH Everett Atrium | Opening remarks – everyone welcome
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:
Herbert David, Licensed Practical Nurse, Riverview Health Centre
Nominated by Lisa Lloyd-Scott, Health Services Manager, Riverview Health Centre
As the Health Services Manager on 3 West – Personal Care Home Community, at Riverview Health Centre, I have witnessed Herbert’s extraordinary dedication to the residents and families that we serve, sharing his expertise, compassionate spirit and leadership skills with our team.
Herbert embodies the spirit of as nurse who is unwavering in his commitment to person directed living where our beliefs and actions are guided our commitments of Respect, Knowing Each Person, Autonomy, Relationships, Individualized Living and Care · Dignity of Risk.
Herbert consistently goes above and beyond in using his expertise and compassionate spirit in his displays of outstanding leadership, critical thinking and using nursing processes to provide care for our residents and their families. Herbert recognizes the importance of prioritizing communication with our families. I regularly receive feedback form residents and families, focusing on Herbert’s abilities to use relationships, respect and knowing each person in his interactions, assessments and communication. I also receive feedback from my colleagues and senior leaders within our organization expressing how Herbert’s is a calm, thorough, articulate, impressive historian with an attention to detail in the communication shared. My colleague indicated “I have been to MANY codes over the years and this was memorable.” A senior leader stating that her observation of Herbert serves as “a shining example of the work we are doing with Person Directed Living!”
Herbert’s leadership are exemplified in his efforts with our team as we navigate communication challenges by sharing ideas, exploring and creating communication pathways improving workflow and decreasing tensions that arise when communication challenges exist. Herbert’s commitment to knowing each resident serves a solid foundation as our team works to create individualized living in care plans with our residents and families. Herbert is viewed as respected leader within the 3 West Community.
It is my please to nominate Herbert, as they truly exemplify the crème de la creme of the nursing profession.
Gabe Demers, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Deer Lodge Centre, Golden West Centennial Lodge, Middlechurch Home and River Park Gardens
Nominated by Shelley Demski, Chief Nursing Officer, Clinical Lead Health Services – Long Term Care
Gabe has reinvigorated the Wound Care Champions team within the 4 sites including a newsletter to share information and lessons learned between the sites. She is the co-chair of the Nursing Practice Council, the HCA Practice Council and recently advocated for 6 HCAs to receive funding for education in a Skin Health program so our front-line staff can identify skin concerns and increased risk amongst their patients. Gabe started the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team at DLC and that team has now expanded to offer support to staff at all sites.
Gabe was previously a front-line nurse at Deer Lodge, providing care on one of the Special Needs units supporting resident living with dementia. She also worked at PRIME (Misericordia and DLC) and presented “A PRIME Example of Innovative Programming that Supports Seniors as they Age in Place” at both the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association Conference May 2025 and as a guest lecturer at University of Manitoba. She is presently enrolled in Wound Care courses via IIWCC and Wounds Canada and recently wrote the CNA Gerontology Exam to become GNC (C) – Gerontological Nurse Certified. She is the President-Elect of the Manitoba Gerontological Nursing Association and the Secretary of the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association.
During the COVID 19 Pandemic, Gabe spent 2 years working with the Red Cross providing emergency response nursing in rural and remote communities. Gabe never ceases to look for opportunities to improve the care of our residents and patients but also to educate and empower our staff to work to their full potential and find passion in the work they do.
Adrienne Pearson, Registered Nurse, Rehab Geri/Skin & Wound Care, Seven Oaks General Hospital
Nominated by Anne-Marie Brown, Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Director Clinical Programs
Adrienne is being recognized for her exceptional commitment to patient health and wellbeing. Over the past 12 years, she has garnered respect for her dedication to patients, colleagues, and the organization.
Adrienne’s passion for knowledge is evident in her pursuit of educational opportunities, allowing her to enhance her skills in providing holistic patient care. Notably, she has demonstrated leadership in the wound care service, chairing the wound care committee and mentoring staff, while actively seeking educational opportunities for others.
Adrienne has earned her certification in the WRHA Conservative Sharp Debridement program, which reflects her initiative in educating family medicine physicians to improve collaboration in wound care management. Additionally, she identified a need for lymphedema management services and proactively sought the necessary training to address this gap. Her efforts have significantly improved patient quality of life. Adrienne’s accomplishments as a mentor and her contributions to patient care make exemplify her unwavering dedication.
Tina Friesen
RNBN, Charge Nurse, Day Surgery, Victoria General Hospital
Nominated by: Christel Bugnar, RNBN
Tina’s compassion and love
for nursing has made her an amazing role model and she thrives in making sure
everyone is taken care of. Her inclusiveness in organizing gatherings and
celebrating every milestone, makes the staff feel like they are number 1. She
is approachable, kind, warm and always looking to support the staff. We are so
lucky to have Tina as part of the team and would love to have her be
acknowledged for all her efforts!
Jamie Huesca
Licensed Practical Nurse,
Home Care, Access Fort Garry
Nominated by: Jessica Penner, Licensed
Practical Nurse
Jamie is my inspiration,
the nurse I want to become. She comes into every shift eager to work and
provide the best nursing care to each individual who walks through our clinic
door. I’ve never seen someone go above and beyond in research, education and care
as much as Jamie does. Jamie is the nurse I hope to become and the nurse I
would want taking care of me or my loved ones. Her care and compassion to each
individual and their family is exemplary.
Loralyn Legaspi
Clinical Educator, Rehab/Geriatrics,
Seven Oaks General Hospital
Nominated by: Mike Rattai, Clinical
Educator
Loralyn shows dedication
and pride in her role. As someone who understands the stresses and expectations
placed on Educators, Loralyn is an excellent example of dedication and
leadership for the Rehab/Geriatrics. I am proud to call her a colleague!
Jacqueline Malic
Registered Nurse, Golden
West Centennial Lodge
Nominated by: Nicole Clairmont, Social
Worker
Jacqueline is one of the
most caring, kind and helpful people I have ever met. She goes above and beyond
her role. We are a small site at Golden West and she helps out anytime she can.
She is there to offer a kind word or tell a joke when you need to laugh. She is
organized and an amazing staff educator. I listen to her from my office and she
is so friendly to everyone she interacts with every day. GWCL would not be the
same without her.
Jacqueline Malic
Staff Educator, Golden West
Centennial Lodge
Nominated by: Charlene Duchon,
Administrative Secretary
Jacqueline goes above and
beyond to support staff and residents. She leads with compassion and
professionalism, fosters a positive learning environment, and ensures
high-quality care through her reliability and willingness to help.
Pia Muer
Casual Nurse, Riverview Health
Centre
Nominated by: Brittany Stewart
Pia has been nurse on CD2
for 21 years and has since retired. She deserves to be nominated for her
knowledge, compassion, and commitment to all the residents she serves.
Kristi Peters
Manager, Riverview Health Centre
Nominated by: Victory Anosike
Kristi has had a
meaningful impact on me as a new graduate. While many employers did not
respond, she took time to reply, offer guidance, and show genuine support. It
is clear, her patients are in safe and capable hands.
Christine Sarte-Bansal
Nurse, Victoria Hospital
Nominated by: Ashley Dercach, Recreation Coordinator
Christine is a strong
advocate for her patients, and you can tell she truly cares for her patients.
In a busy and sometimes chaotic environment, Christine is consistent in delivery
of care to her patients and but also being somebody that you can count on as a
team player. She is diligent in her care and wants to make sure that everything
goes smoothly for patients. She is easy to collaborate with, so patients have
the best care possible.
Breanne Turner
Public Health Nurse,
Churchill Health Centre
Nominated by: Rachelle Walker, Director of
Health Services
Bre has found the perfect
recipe that mixes joy, growth and dedication in her work as a nurse. She has
supported the Churchill Health Centre in many nursing positions and is
certainly thriving now in her public health position. She knows what the
community needs at large and works hard to provide new programs and information
to all that come to see her & has done lots to improve our public health
care to all. She always walks down the hall with a smile and deserves
recognition for her work!
Chinu
Registered Nurse, Concordia Hospital
Nominated by: Lisa Maria Cansino, Licensed Practical Nurse
Chinu is a very kind and
caring nurse to both her colleagues and patients. She is never in a bad mood.
Chinu is hard working and an excellent charge nurse.
Jen R
Registered Nurse, Concordia Hospital
Nominated by: Sarah Dewick
Jen is very good at her job. She is kind and genuine.
She is one of the best nurses I know.
Joanne
Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia Hospital
Nominated by: Sarah Dewick
Joanne is so motivating.
She always brings the best positive energy. She cares for her patients and shows
so much kindness.
Kelly
Licensed Practical Nurse, Concordia Hospital
Nominated by: Sarah Dewick
Kelly is an amazing nurse She
is kind-hearted, a great friend and co-worker. She takes her job seriously and
is a great communicator.
Sharan
Clinical Resource Nurse, Hemodialysis,
Seven Oaks General Hospital
Nominated by: Diksha, Registered Nurse
Sharan is a rock for the unit. She checks
on every team member individually to ensure no one feels overwhelmed. She
fights for the needs of her team, whether it’s through staffing adjustments or
finding resources to help a colleague.
Amy Lindal
Licensed Practical Nurse, Riverview Health Centre
Nominated by: Kara Robinson, Rehabilitation Assistant
Amy is so passionate about her Community Residents. She is kind and patient and has very keen insight into how to approach or reapproach her residents. She takes her time with them to ensure they understand what she needs from them or for them.
Alma Lubos
Clinical Educator, Deer Lodge Centre
Nominated by: Gabrielle Demers, Clinical Nurse Specialist
Alma is a powerhouse! A constant at Deer Lodge for two decades! Starting as a bedside nurse, then CRN, and now as Clinical Educator, Alma approaches work with heart and humor. Alma is Director of Education with Manitoba Gerontological Nursing Association. She curates quarterly speakers and leads planning for the biennial Conference (happening this fall). She presented the DLC Cherry Blossom program at CGNA conference. If she is not working, she is globetrotting with her husband Jimson.
Pia Muer
Casual Registered Nurse, Riverview Health Centre
Nominated by: Criselle Ilano
Pia has worked at Riverview for 21 years in CD2 unit. She recently retired in August 2025 but decided to come back in a casual role. Pia is a very generous, caring, passionate, and knowledgeable nurse. Residents and families are fond of her and love her.