MELISSA FURFARO - Melissa was also awarded the RNFOO Gala Scholarship because of her commitment to perinatal, neonatal, mother, baby and parenting issues. She has been accepted into the Master of Science program at McMaster University for September 2005. She provides nursing care to mothers and babies with compromised maternal or fetal health on the High Risk Ante/ Postpartum Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Melissa wishes to continue with research and development around perinatal/postpartum mental health and hopes to educate communities, students and caregivers about such topics, thus reducing the stigma attached to postpartum depression.”

KIRSTEN PINKSEN - Kirsten is a student in the 2nd entry baccalaureate program at the University of Toronto and she completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics (Honours) in 2003. Kirsten is involved in a number of professional and volunteer activities, including membership in RNAO Interest Groups and she is a student member of Region 7 Executive. Her long-term career goal is to pursue graduate level education and “to make a contribution to nursing practice in the field of labour and delivery.”

LINDA KELLOWAY - Linda was also awarded the Jan Metcalfe Award because of her commitment and contribution to the nursing profession through the Ontario Stroke System. She is completing her Master of Nursing at the University of Toronto. She is the Regional Stroke Education Consultant for the West GTA Stroke Network and she has demonstrated leadership in the RNAO Nursing Best Practice Guidelines projects, including the development of a Stroke Best Practices Workshop. “Linda is seen across Ontario as a key resource person because of her extensive experience in stroke care, her in-depth knowledge of the literature and her approachable, confident style.”

CHERYL REID-HAUGHIAN - Cheryl is pursuing her Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) at Charles Sturt University. Her long-term goal includes focusing on “nursing leadership in organizational design and organizational development where the ultimate goal will be to influence and shape health policy and healthy workplaces for nurses.” Cheryl is described as showing “keen interest in nursing informatics and its impact on the nursing profession.”

KRISTINE NEWMAN - Kristine continues to demonstrate academic excellence and this is her second consecutive year of being awarded the ONIG Scholarship. Kristine is completing her Master of Science (Nursing) at Queen’s University. Her focus of study is in informatics involving students’ attitudes towards Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) for patient care documentation and computerized documentation. Kristine is committed to using her work in informatics and technology to influence patient care positively and to advance the nursing profession.