Congratulations to Leanne Milne, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2021 Kay Armstrong (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University) and the Annette Thorimbert Osted (National scholarship awarded to a 3rd or 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled in a baccalaureate psychiatric nursing education program in Canada) Scholarships. Leanne is a 4th-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program at Brandon University, working at in-home healthcare, and volunteering with numerous community organizations. Leanne plans to pursue employment in acute care and corrections, with specific attention to the system’s impact upon individuals with mental illness. Leanne ultimately plans to complete graduate studies in psychiatric nursing.

Congratulations to Keisha-Mae Kaddu, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2021 Kay Armstrong (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University) and the Annette Thorimbert Osted (National scholarship awarded to a 3rd or 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled in a baccalaureate psychiatric nursing education program in Canada) Scholarships. Keisha-Mae Kaddu is a 4th-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program at Brandon University. Employment experience with the Department of Canadian Heritage and volunteer work in the sporting community have contributed to Keisha-Mae’s perspectives on Psychiatric Nursing. Future plans include work with diverse populations and to pursue graduate studies.

Congratulations to Katherine Pachkowski, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2021 Alex Crawford (National scholarship awarded to a graduate psychiatric nurse, registered in Canada who is pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level) and Alf Barnett (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a Manitoba psychiatric nurse pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level) Scholarships. Katherine’s doctoral research focuses on examining the nexus of issues underlying non-criminal exploitation of persons with enduring mental illness. The study seeks to define noncriminal exploitation experienced by people with mental illness and explore roles and obligations of mental health workers encountering this exploitation. Katherine also hopes this research will further increase the profession’s awareness of how mental health providers may unintentionally reinforce discourses which marginalize people with lived experience of mental illness.

Congratulations to Evana Popovich, recipient of the John Kellie Scholarship (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 3rd year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University). Evana is a 3rd- year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program, whose work and volunteer history in various capacities in the health care system have provided valuable opportunities to apply psychiatric nursing skills. Evana plans to seek employment with the elderly upon graduation and pursue the Master of Psychiatric Nursing Program in the future.

Congratulations to Laura Panteluk, recipient of the RPNF’s 2021 Alex Crawford Scholarship (National scholarship awarded to a graduate psychiatric nurse, registered in Canada who is pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level). Laura’s graduate level qualitative exploratory research study examines nurse manager stress and coping, investigating how Manitoba’s nurse managers deal with stress experienced in their roles, exploring the factors that help and hinder coping. The study contributes to literature in this area and offers participants the opportunity to identify methods used to deal with that stress.

Rodney Jones is a recipient of the 2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Leadership. Rodney has been an RPN for over 31 years in western Manitoba.  He has worked in a variety of settings but mainly with children and adolescents in community mental health and now as the Client Care Coordinator of the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at the Child and Adolescent Treatment Centre in Brandon.  Rod was also the coordinator for the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program and has worked in acute care settings as he is also a Registered Nurse.
His clinical skills are exemplary and he always strives and models enhanced engagement, collaboration and problem solving with the staff of the CSU. Rod communicates well which is important in leading and managing the coordination of client needs.  He has made positive changes and improvements and motivates others to be creative and forward thinking.
Rod is committed to mentoring and training psychiatric nurses and is passionate about quality care.  He is a valued team member who always takes the time to listen, provide helpful feedback and move forward in innovative ways. Nominated by Jill Brown and Chris Bromley.

Kyla Johnston is recipient of the 2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Clinical Practice. Kyla is co-founder of DBT Winnipeg and The Mental Health Collective Inc., working in independent practice. “Kyla developed intervention strategies to take a family member from being severely at risk, to enjoying a life where they continue to strive for acceptance and happiness, directly because of her involvement. She only took a 4 month leave after becoming a parent, not to leave her patients for too long. Her positive delivery and ability to assist our family member with maintaining the critical support they need to face every day through this socially restrictive pandemic has been top notch, professional and patient.

Kyla has empowered our family member through practice of Dialectal Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She has been a committed member of their team for almost 4 years now, without whom I know they would be suffering. She demonstrates an exemplary commitment to ethical practice”. Nominated by the Pepper Family.

2021 Award recipients

2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Leadership – Karen Batson
2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Leadership- Rodney Jones
2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Clinical Practice – Kyla Johnston

2021 Scholarship recipients

2021 Kay Armstrong Scholarship – Joslin Mamuric
2021 Kay Armstrong – Leanne Milne
2021 Kay Armstrong & Annette Thorimbert Osted – Keisha-Mae Kaddu
2021 Alex Crawford & Alf Barnett- Katherine Pachkowski
John Kellie Scholarship – Evana Popowich
2021 Alex Crawford Scholarship – Laura Panteluk

The scholarship committee of the RPNF processes, selects, and awards the scholarships funded by the RPNF.
The scholarships are limited to Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Canada or students preparing to become Registered Psychiatric Nurses in an approved undergraduate psychiatric nursing education program.

RPNF created scholarships to assist Registered Psychiatric Nurses and psychiatric nursing students to further their professional education.

Our Scholarship Program is funded through your donations. RPNF attracts and manages the gifts from donors into a permanent endowment fund.

The scholarship committee of the RPNF processes, selects, and awards the scholarships funded by the RPNF.
The scholarships are limited to Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Canada or students preparing to become Registered Psychiatric Nurses in an approved undergraduate psychiatric nursing education program.