Nursing Week update

Our Nursing Week activities have been in full swing! All events this year emphasized the critical role of nurses and health professions during COVID-19. Here is a recap of our virtual activities so far:

Monday –  Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health launched with us Nursing Week (video here). Minister Elliott also visited with us Michael Garron Hospital and heard the accounts of amazing nurses (video here) ● Ian Arthur, MPP Kingston and the Islands, visited KFLA Public Health where we learned of their splendid role on testing and case/contact tracing, as well as the lived experience of clients ●  We ended the day with a COVID-19 Webinar where we heard from five formidable nursing leaders.             

Tuesday – We released RNAO's ECCO 3.0 Report with much media coverage, nursing and health partners (video here) ● Celebrated with ONA and WeRPN the Nursing Now Ontario Awards Ceremony with three awesome winners NP Michael Borja, RN Patric Campeau, and RPN Kelly Karges - and with special guests Minister Christine Elliott and Lord Nigel Crisp, Co-Chair of Nursing Now (video here).

Wednesday – Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott, and Minister of Long-term Care Merrilee Fullerton visited West Park Health Care Centre were we heard several outstanding nurses share their expertise ● MPP Mike Schreiner, Ontario Green Party Leader, visited Guelph Community Health Centre (video here) ● Natalia Kusendova, MPP Mississauga Centre, visited Trillium Health Partners (video here).

Today, Thursday – We had the tremendous privilege of taking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to visit with nurses at Ottawa Public Health where we thanked him for his tremendous leadership working in strong partnership with all the provinces and territories. The Prime Minister also visited with VIANurses to thank them and hear directly from them about their experiences during COVID-19. Chief Nurse Esther Moghadam was as, always, a super star! ● Terence Kernaghan, MPP London North Centre, visited St. Joseph's Health Care London ● Sol Mamakwa, MPP Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake Nursing Station and Health Centre.     

Tomorrow, Friday, more important events –  Release of the second edition of Oral Health: Supporting Adults Who Require Assistance BPG (register here) ● Three Take Your MPP To Work LIVE events are planned with: Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Francophone Affairs; Andrea Horwath, Leader, Official Opposition; and Mitzie Hunter, MPP Scarborough – Guildwood. For details go here.

This will end what has been an intense week of events and a roller coaster of emotions. Check RNAO’s Nursing Week portal to watch all past events and register for tomorrow. All events were open for colleagues anywhere in the world, free-of-charge, through Zoom.