In Honour of
Kathy Murphy

  • RN-1965 VGH School of Nursing BN-1968
  • Mc Gill University MHSc-1978- McMaster
  • University 1990-Award of Excellence in Nursing Administration, RNABC

Graduating from VGH School of Nursing in the mid 1960s provided many opportunities to work at VGH. Following a year on a busy General Surgery unit with three of my classmates, I headed east to obtain my Bachelor of Nursing at McGill University. The summer of 1967 was Expo in Montreal so I chose to work on a Neurosurgical Unit at Montreal General. Following graduation, I was hired as a Surgical Instructor at St. Paul's Hospital School of Nursing. As the school was planning to close in the early 1970's a number of the faculty were chosen to fill some newly created positions in the hospital. As a Clinical Coordinator, I helped with the transition in nursing leadership for several years before returning to school in the mid 1970's to obtain a Master of Health Sciences at McMaster University. A senior nursing position became available at Richmond General Hospital so the last 10 years of my career were spent dealing with a number of challenges. During my career, I took an active part in the profession through involvement in the RNABC and the Nurse Administrator's Association of BC.

For the past 20 years Kathy has volunteered with RNFBC, VGH Alumnae and the History of Nursing Society. Kathy's has shared her valuable leadership skills with each of these organizations. Her dedicated efforts will continue to strengthen nursing history in the future.

Photo Supplied by Kathy

In 2019 Kathy was selected to receive the UBC School of Nursing Centenary Medal of Distinction. The award was established in celebration of the School’s one hundred years of university=based nursing education.  Medal winners have brought high honor to the School or to the profession of nursing.