Celebrating Nurses in 2024

Many thanks to BCHNS member Brenda Flynn who alerted us to this interesting article from the May 9, Merritt Herald, Merritt nurses on the front line of Spanish Flu. Cameron Bridge, Manager of the Nicola Valley Museum & Archives, tells of the impact of the flu in the community with a focus on the many nurses who gave care to those stricken by the disease. To read the full article click here.

In April the Florence Nightingale Museum decided to spotlight a personal object actually belonging to Miss Nightingale. This personalized ivory carriage pass is located within the museum and was a gift to Florence Nightingale from Queen Victoria in the 19th century. To read more click here.

 

Kathleen Louisa Lee, a registered nurse, dedicated nearly four decades of her life to the residents of North Vancouver. Born and raised in Langley, she received her education at Toronto Western Hospital, graduating around 1920. Her journey of service began at the first North Vancouver General Hospital, where she cared for patients. Later, she continued her impactful work at both locations of the NVGH.

Kathleen’s unwavering commitment to the public led to her promotion as the head matron at the second hospital, a position she held from 1934 to 1960. In this role, she skillfully directed all nurses within the hospital, ensuring the well-being of patients and overseeing their care. She died in 1973 and is buried in the family plot in Murrayville cemetery in Langley BC.

Sources: Photograph  NVMA, 11005,  Museum of North Vancouver (MONVA)

North Shore News March 3, 2024

A Well-Deserved Award

In June 2023 Elaine A. Carty, MSN CNM was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. In British Columbia Elaine is known as “the midwife of midwifery “. She helped to promote legalization and professional recognition of midwifery not only in this province but throughout Canada.

You are a history maker Elaine! We are all very proud of your accomplishments over the years and send our sincere congratulations to you from the BC History of Nursing Society!

To read more about Elaine’s Award and career click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWARD OF RECOGNITION: Dr. Geertje Boschma 2023

The Award of Recognition was established by the CAHN-ACHN Board of Directors in 2018 to recognize longstanding members for their sustained and meaningful contributions or their innovative role in furthering the goals and mandate of the organization. The Award of Recognition applies to a person who has been a long-standing member of the organization and is made on the recommendation of members of the CAHN/ACHM Board.

This year’s 2023 award winner is Dr. Geertje Boschma, Professor and Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs, Nursing, University of British Columbia. Dr. Boschma leads a research program on the history of nursing and health care, with special emphasis on mental health and mental health nursing in particular the history of community-based mental health service in western Canada during the latter half of the century.
Continue reading

To the 2023 Directors of the BCHNS

President: Geertje Boschma

Hello everyone! I am looking forward to meeting and working with all of you! I am a professor at the UBC-V School of Nursing and teach in the undergraduate and graduate programs. My research centers on the history of nursing and mental health care. I am faculty-co-lead of the Consortium for Nursing History Inquiry in the School of Nursing, and a longstanding member of the BCHNS. I am excited to join the BCHNS board as its president, and to work with a great and committed group of people.

 

Vice President: Lenore Radom

Hello to all, I am pleased to join this new team of Directors for the BCHNS Board, who have willingly stepped forward to lead the group. I have been an active member, participating on several committees, mainly Chair of the BCHNS website. We look forward to your continued support.

 

Treasurer: Marg Gorrie

Hello, my name is Marg Gorrie, and I am pleased to join the BCHNS board in the role of Treasurer. My interest in nursing history is centered on psychiatric/mental health nursing and community nursing. Prior to retirement, I taught in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program at BCIT.

 

Secretary: Michelle Danda

Hello there! I am a Registered Nurse (RN) experienced in professional practice, healthcare informatics, mental health, substance use, and harm reduction. I am also a doctoral candidate in the School of Nursing at the University of Alberta. My research is on the history of Registered Practical Nurse education in BC.

Celebrating National Indigenous History Month

June 1 marks the start of National Indigenous History Month in Canada. Formally declared in 2009, the month encourages Canadians to take time to learn about the history, heritage, resiliency, and diversity of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

We recognize and honour Tania Dick, a member of Dzawada’enuxw First Nations of Kingcome Inlet. She is a renowned Indigenous health care leader and joined the UBC School of Nursing as its first ever Indigenous Nursing Lead in the Fall of 2021. The role was created to help guide work on reconciliation and prepare future nurses to uphold Indigenous Peoples’ human rights and end racism in health care.

To learn more about Tania’s background and role as the Nursing Lead click here.

Tania informed us that there are some allocated Indigenous specific seats on the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC) Boards and the British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU) has established the “Indigenous Leadership Circle” an equity seeking caucus that formally meets regularly.

Jessie Mantle Passes 1932-2021

Jessie Mantle was born in Chemainus and received her diploma in nursing in 1950 from the Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing in Victoria. Her professional nursing career spanned 40 years and her educational accomplishments included a BSN from McGill in 1966, a master’s degree in nursing from University of San Francisco and post-degree work in gerontological nursing which became her focus during the latter part of her career. Cited as “one of the pioneers of geriatric nursing in Canada” (Ebersole and Touhy: Springer Publishing, 2006), her passion was to make the care and quality of life better for those in their senior years.

In 1981 Jessie took a joint appointment as Professor at the University of Victoria School of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Specialist at Juan de Fuca Hospitals. As a gifted teacher, author and practicing nurse Jessie Mantle inspired and mentored generations of nurses who became leaders in the care of the elderly.

The Jessie Mantle Fellowship in Nursing talks more about Jessie’s life, accomplishments and legacy.

Jessie’s obituary and tributes from friends and colleagues can be found here.

For further information about Jessie Mantle contact Margaret Scaia through BCHNS contact us.

Dissertation Summary of eroding public health nurse role

Very interesting article shared in the Community Health Nurses of BC Newsletter…this dissertation submitted by: Megan Kirk RN, BScN,MSc,PhD(c) toward her PhD.  The whole newsletter in fact, made for interesting reading during Nurses week and Year of the Nurse.  Thank you Ethel Warbinek for passing this along to share with those interested in Public Health History of Nursing!! Continue reading

“Who is Taking Care of History?”

                     

2019 BCHF Annual Conference

                        June 6 – 9, 2019, Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland B.C.

 

Glennis Zilm and Nan Martin were delighted to represent our Society at yet another very successful BC Historical Federation conference in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland. The meetings took place in the historic Native Sons Hall in Courtenay.  Many activities and events included fascinating local and historical information from passionate keynote speakers, field trips, and as always, an elegant BC Book Prize Gala. An Ideas Fair was added this year – see attached photos of the BCHNS half table display. Look for a detailed report in our summer newsletter.

Nursing Sister Maxine Bredt receives a Quilt of Valor

Joanne Whitelaw, daughter of the late June Newton, sent us an e-mail telling us that her mother’s friend and fellow nursing sister Maxine Bredt, had recently received a Quilt of Valor.   Maxine, a graduate of the Royal Jubilee Hospital served with her classmate June at hospitals in Italy and England during World War II.

The mission of the Quilt of Valour Society is “to ensure that injured Canadian Forces members are recognized for their service and commitment to our country. We give this support through the presentation of quilts to comfort our past and present Canadian Forces members.” To learn more about the Society visit https://www.quiltsofvalour.ca/about-qovc.html

Maxine was thrilled and honored to receive a quilt. Joanne plans to visit her mother’s friend later in the month and will share more pictures with us.

BC History of Nursing Society wins Best Website Prize

May 28, 2018

The BC History of Nursing Society is the recipient of the 2017 Best Website award.

Each year, the BCHF offers a certificate and cash prize of $250 for the best website on a topic of British Columbia history. The award honours individual or group volunteer efforts in website writing and presentation.

The BC History of Nursing Society’s website, www.bcnursinghistory.ca, honours and respects the history of nursing in British Columbia and beyond. The judges found the website to be informative and complete with blog, links to resources and photographs. The website was accessible on devices and modern in design, working to present nursing history in an interesting and engaging way. Anita Petersen and Lenore Radom were instrumental in realizing the project.

The prize was awarded on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the book awards gala event in Nakusp as part of the BCHF annual conference. Lenore and Anita were unable to attend the awards evening, and will be presented with the award at a later date.

The Best Website Award recognizes individual or group volunteer efforts in website writing and presentation on a topic pertaining to British Columbia’s history. The Best Website Award is kindly endowed by Ken Mattison.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) encourages interest in the history of British Columbia through research, presentation, and support in its role as an umbrella organization for provincial historical societies. Established in 1922, the Federation currently provides a collective voice for over 100 member societies and 24,000 individuals in the provincial not-for-profit historical sector.