A powerful and inspiring panel of seven prominent nursing leaders at different stages of their careers will draw from their diverse backgrounds and expertise to address the questions: How will nursing recover post pandemic and what will our profession look like? 

Following the opening remarks, we will involve the audience in an idea cloud exercise followed by questions and comments. To wrap up the panel presentation, panelists will share their closing thoughts. 

Elder Perry McLeod-Shabogesic, a knowledge holder, traditional helper and storyteller from the N’biising (Nipissing) First Nation Crane Clan, will then bring this year’s AGM to a close. 

How to register
This session is free and open to the public and the media. Please register in advance. 
•    Not an RNAO member? You may be prompted to register for a MyRNAO account first. 
•    Member of the media? Please use this link to register. 

Please see the agenda to learn more.

Panelists

Dr. Vanessa Burkoski
Vanessa is a registered nurse and holds a BScN, MScN and Doctorate in Health Administration. Vanessa has extensive experience providing executive leadership, strategic advice and nursing expertise on a wide range of nursing and broader health-care policy issues. From 2011 to 2016, she served as the Chief Nursing Executive / Quality & Patient Safety Officer / Professional Scholarly Practice at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). From 2007-2011, she served as Ontario’s Provincial Chief Nursing Officer, where she was responsible for conceptualizing and facilitating the implementation of a wide-range of evidence-based, innovative program and policy initiatives. Vanessa served as Chief Nursing Executive at Toronto’s Humber River Hospital from 2016 until her retirement earlier this year. She has held adjunct academic appointments at University of Windsor, University of Western Ontario, and University of Toronto.

Karla Ducusin
Karla is an internationally educated nurse from the Philippines. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Saint Mary’s University in 2010. She worked as a community nurse from 2011 to 2014. Wanting to help her family, she moved to Israel in 2014 to work as a caregiver. She then moved to Canada in 2018 to pursue her nursing career. While trying to earn her RN license in Ontario, she worked as a live-in caregiver. She knew that for internationally educated nurses, becoming an RN is a very arduous process. But through hard work, determination and patience, she has earned her RN license. Karla was hired at a Toronto hospital in April 2022, and she is looking forward to building her career specializing in geriatrics.

Morgan Hoffarth
Morgan graduated with a BScN (McMaster, 2010) and MScN degrees (York, 2013). Morgan began her career as an RN with a Family Health Team. She then worked in both hospital inpatient acute medicine as well as the emergency department. Upon completing her master's degree, she moved to the psychosis program as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. From 2014 to 2020, Morgan worked as a coordinator in Treatment and Rehabilitation and Coordinated Access, and then in Medically Complex Service at St. Joseph's Health Care, London. Currently, Morgan is the Director of Care at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care. Morgan is a passionate nurse leader whose believes that every nurse is a leader, regardless of their role or sector. Morgan lives in London with her husband, Corey and her son, Greyson.

Dr. Claudette Holloway
Claudette was born in Barbados, grew up in England and has long resided in Canada. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ryerson, master’s degree in nursing from D’Youville College, New York State, Doctorate in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix, and is a Canadian Certified Health Executive. Claudette worked as a registered nurse, midwife, and hospital manager in England, UK. In Canada, Claudette has years of nursing experience in hospital, community leadership in public health, community health and long-term care. Claudette has taught in university undergraduate programs and now serves as the ED for JCAN, a charitable philanthropic organization that supports impoverished communities. Claudette is passionate about promoting the nursing profession, eliminating anti-Black racism and all forms of racism and discrimination, advancing health programs for the most vulnerable, and facilitating an equity lens approach in nursing and health care.

Mae Katt
Mae is a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner. She holds an Honours degree in Nursing, Master of Education (Curriculum Specialty) and has an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University.  She coordinates a Mobile Treatment Team that provides opiate-agonist treatment with Suboxone in remote and rural First Nations communities and developed a high school-based program that eliminated opioid addiction among students. She is a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Covid-19 Task Team advising leadership on pandemic planning and responses. Mae is also on the NAN Health Transformation Advisory Council.
 
Ola Abanta Thomas Obewu
Ola is a student at York University and will graduate from the BScN program in October 2022. Ola’s passion and interests lie in social activism, advocacy, research, mentorship, and lifelong learning. To name a few, Ola has volunteered as the program/course representative, peer mentor/tutor, and skills lab facilitator in her school. Ola was part of the core working group that created a report on individual and systemic racism within the School of Health. Ola is also actively involved with RNAO. She is a panel member of the Black Nurses Task Force as well as a founding member and student representative of the Black Nurses Leading Change Interest Group. Ola hopes to earn an NP Degree as she continues to engage in movements that amplify the voices of marginalized communities.

Ameek Singh
Ameek is an RN working for Peel Public Health and also for Unity Health in Toronto. He works with non-profit organizations to address concerns of health-care access and primary care provision for the homeless populations of Peel. Ameek is also the host of the radio show Big Talk on Sauga 960 AM.