Sarah Heatlie is a post-diploma bridging student and recent graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University. Passionate about enhancing the student experience and advancing evidence-based practice, she actively seeks out opportunities to implement best practice guidelines in academic and clinical settings. As chair of the inaugural student-led Academic BPSO Conference, hosted online in November 2024, Sarah successfully led an international team through the planning, execution and evaluation stages of the event. At RNAO’s 2024 Global BPSO Symposium, she presented an abstract created in collaboration with colleagues from Qatar and Colombia. Entitled Shaping the Future Generation of Nursing Leaders, the presentation championed international student collaboration while promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. Sarah is a member of RNAO’s Student Leadership Incubator, which is a group of students selected for their leadership qualities who meet regularly to provide one another with support and to seek out mentorship opportunities that are inclusive and meaningful.
The Student of Distinction award honours a current undergraduate nursing student who has made significant contributions acting as a change agent, resource and mentor within their undergraduate nursing program. This student also shows active involvement in RNAO regions/chapters/interest groups.
