LOUISE RUDDEN - Louise is a post-RN student completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ryerson University. As well as studying full-time, Louise manages a full-time position at the Hospital for Sick Children on a busy orthopaedic surgical unit. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Louise plans to pursue a Master of Nursing degree and Nurse Practitioner role and she will continue to practice within the paediatric surgical population.

CATHARINE LOWES - Catharine is a post-RN student completing her Bachelor of Nursing Science at Brock University. Catharine is described as having transformational leadership skills within the hospital and community. As a lactation consultant, she established a breast feeding clinic and was active in nursing policy development in her organization. Catharine’s long term goal is to pursue graduate level education to attain a university teaching position and she plans to work in the area of women’s health.

CARA-LEE COGHILL - Cara-Lee is completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Toronto and she completed an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2003. She has been involved in several professional, volunteer and community activities which include presenting seminars that highlight health inequities in Canada and internationally, and volunteering in Brazil and rural Cambodia. Her long term goal is to complete a Master of Nursing degree in order to pursue her two areas of interest: environmental and international health and to contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.

KATHRYN CONNOLLY - Katie is an undergraduate student in the 2nd entry program at the University of Toronto and she completed a Bachelor of Physical Education and Health degree in 2001. Katie has taught English as a second language to students in Vietnam and as an active member of International Student Interest Group, Katie plans to travel to Africa this summer. Upon completion of her BScN, she plans to pursue graduate studies and to work as a public health nurse to aid in contributing to healthy communities.

KATHLEEN LESLIE - Kathleen is completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and she has maintained the highest academic standing in her nursing class. Kathleen is a research assistant at UWO and she has been active in a number of volunteer activities, and has assumed leadership roles within academic and community settings. Kathleen is described by a faculty member as, “the sort of person we want to mentor for leadership in our profession”.

LISA SIMPSON - Lisa continues to demonstrate academic excellence and this is her second consecutive year of being awarded the Jennifer Award. Lisa is complet ing her final year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ryerson University. She is actively involved in a research project, Dispelling the Myths of Ageing: Seniors mentoring students which examines “whether early participation in a student/senior dyad relationship using the Internet will influence the student’s perception of ageing and the elderly.” Lisa’s long term career goals involve examining nursing leadership in relation to expanding the role of the advanced practice nurse and becoming politically active through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to promote healthy communities.

LEANNE MICHALOFSKY - Leanne continues to demonstrate academic excellence as last year, she was awarded the Dorothy Ferguson Scholarship. Leanne is a post-RN student completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ryerson University. In support of her leadership abilities, Leanne is described as having displayed highly developed critical thinking and problem solving skills and is recognized as an organizational change agent. Leanne’s long term goal is to become a nurse practitioner and maintain her commitment to life long learning, evidence based practice and most importantly, patient and family-centred care.

Provides an opportunity to a final year baccalaureate nursing student with high academic standing who is an active participant in community and professional activities. This $5000.00 scholarship is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Dr. Gail Donner and Mary Wheeler.

CATRIONA MILL - Catriona is in her final year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2nd entry program) at the University of Toronto and she completed her Master of Health Science degree in Health Promotion in 2003. She has been involved in several professional, volunteer and community activities including RNAO Student member; Co-chair, World AIDS Day Planning Committee; Coordinator, International Nursing Student Interest Group; and volunteer student nurse in Cambodia. Her future career goals involve working as a public health nurse, pursuing doctoral studies, and “to work in partnership with disadvantaged community groups to develop innovative health promotion strategies.”