Congratulations to Adefemi Aderounma, recipient of the RPNF’s 2020 Kay Armstrong Scholarship (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University). Adefemi taught physics prior to entering the baccalaureate program, is the student representative on the Health Studies policy committee, and volunteers at Misericordia Spiritual care centre. Adefemi hopes to further engage in policy development and continuing education.

Congratulations to Janaya Rieger, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2020 Kay Armstrong Scholarship (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 Scholarship (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). Janaya brings valuable employment and volunteer experiences which will contribute to psychiatric nursing practice. She was a teaching and research assistant during her Bachelor or Arts at U of W, and her career goals are to work in the field of addictions and to develop prevention programs.

Congratulations to Stephanie Lukin, recipient of the RPNF’s 2020 Marlene Fitzsimmons Scholarship (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a RPN registered in Manitoba who is enrolled in a relevant certificate course or, who is presenting a paper at a local, national or international conference). Stephanie and her colleague Niki Gagnon presented a paper at the Early Psychosis Intervention Ontario Network conference in Toronto on Early Intervention needs of a Rural Region.

Congratulations to Stacy (Hanson) Dahise, recipient of the RPNF’s 2020 John Crawford Graduate Scholarship (National scholarship awarded to a graduate psychiatric nurse, registered in Canada who is pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level). Stacy’s research involves the experiences and perspectives of psychiatric nurses with patient deaths due to drug overdose. She will explore how patient death affects the professional and personal life of nurses, and hopes her research will affect education, leadership and policy changes to support nurses, and in turn improve patient care.

Congratulations to Karla Wlock, recipient of the RPNF’s 2020 McCormick-Henry Scholarship (National scholarship awarded to a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Canada who is taking further studies in seniors’ mental health at a masters or doctoral level or through an accredited certificate program). Karla’s research involves the moral distress among psychiatric nurses working in acute Geriatric Mental Health units, exploring the lived experiences of psychiatric nurses working on these units. She hopes to identify resources psychiatric nurses use in confronting moral distress and in turn influence education and policies that further support psychiatric nurses on geriatric mental health units.

Congratulations to Uzoma Asagwara, worthy recipient of the RPNF’s 2020 Award of Excellence in Leadership. They provided excellent front-line nursing services, mentorship and training to fellow staff at Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre, and the Selkirk Mental Health Centre (SMHC) for many years. Their advocacy and community development work sets them apart from their peers. Uzoma is a founding member of the organization Queer People of Colour (QPOC) and is a leader in the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Uzoma was recently elected the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the riding of Union Station and Health Critic in the shadow cabinet of the Manitoba NDP opposition. They are among the first 3 black people to hold the office of MLA in Manitoba, and one of the first few RPNs to hold provincial office in Manitoba’s history. Source: summarized from Nominator(s) submission.

Congratulations to Wendy Bancescu, worthy recipient of the RPNF’s 2020 Award of Excellence in Clinical Practice. Wendy has dedicated the bulk of her career working with children and families. Wendy is considered a gifted clinician and has worked in the Adolescent Day Treatment Program (BMHC), in Health Promotion with the Community Mental Health Program, in private practice, and finally as the first Registered Psychiatric Nurse counsellor with the Fort la Bosse School division (since 2007). As part of the division’s student support team she provides both consultation and direct clinical service for students, and their families, and is an active participant and leader in the division’s social justice committee, trauma team, mental health and wellness committee, as well as training in Non Violent Crisis Intervention. Source: summarized from Nominator(s) submission.

2020 Award of Excellence – Leadership: Uzoma Asagwara
2020 Award of Excellence – Clinical: Wendy Bancescu

2020 Scholarship recipients

2020 John Kellie Scholarship – Joslin Mamuruc
2020 Kay Armstrong – Adefemi Aderounma & Janaya Rieger
2020 Marlene Fitzsimmons – Stephanie Lukin
2020 Annette Thorimbert Osted – Janaya Rieger
2020 John Crawford – Stacy (Hanson) Dahise
2020 McCormick-Henry – Karla Wlock

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.