2025 Scholarship and Award Recipients

RPNF Undergraduate Scholarship (3rd Year)

Rhianna Nelson

Congratulations to Rhianna Nelson from Brandon, MB, recipient of the 2025 RPNF 3rd Year Undergraduate Scholarship! Rhianna brings a wealth of contributing experience to her studies through her work at a range of para-professional roles including Mental Health Proctor, Integration Facilitator and Camp Coordinator. In these roles, Rhianna has gained valuable knowledge working with individuals experiencing enduring psychiatric illnesses, addiction and homelessness, engaging in mental health assessment, supportive interventions, crisis intervention and outreach. Rhianna places high value on empathic, therapeutic relationships where the needs of individuals are met with dignity and respect. Rhianna notes that her perspectives on culture and diversity have been enriched by opportunities to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities.

Rhianna’s career goal is to work in addictions or acute psychiatry. Her particular interest area involves acute psychiatric crisis work, supporting individuals recovering from addiction. In time, it is Rhianna’s goal to pursue her Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University.

RPNF Undergraduate Scholarship (4th Year)

Alexandria Baluta

Congratulations to Alexandria Baluta from Winnipeg, MB, recipient of the 2025 RPNF 4th Year Undergraduate Scholarship! Alexandria worked throughout her degree program as a Midwife Assistant and private care assistant, and noted the mutual learning opportunities between these paraprofessional roles and her psychiatric nursing studies. She has volunteered as a mentor for breastfeeding mothers, and as a student mentor within the psychiatric nursing program. Alexandria recognizes the significance of biopsychosocial-spiritual aspects of every individual’s circumstances, and has come to appreciate the importance of the whole person and the critical power of kindness. Of note, Alexandria successfully navigated her substantial study schedule while proudly parenting their baby who was born between her 3rd and 4th year of the degree program.

Future plans include advocacy to formally include RPNs in perinatal anxiety treatment as well as public health perinatal mental health care. In addition, Alexandria is interested in research focused on epigenetics, trauma as well as preventative tools for postpartum mood disorders.

Kira Koehler

Congratulations to Kira Koehler from Saskatoon, SK, recipient of the 2025 RPNF 4th Year Undergraduate Scholarship! Kira attained her health-care aide certificate while in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program, gaining valuable simultaneous experience working in long term care, and acute in-patient units in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry throughout her psychiatric nursing program. Within these roles, Kira honed rapport-building skills, learned de-escalation techniques, gained experience working on a team and came to understand the Mental Health Act. Given that her interest lies in working with youth, Kira also worked as an undergraduate nursing employee in a child & adolescent crisis program, refining her assessment skills, enriching therapeutic interviewing and conversation skills, and gaining exposure to medication reconciliation and crisis intervention.

Kira brings lived experience to her role as a psychiatric nurse which informs her practice, and affords her a level of unique understanding and empathy. Her plan is to work in an acute psychiatric unit with children and adolescents while also seeking casual employment in more medically-oriented settings to maintain her acute medical skills.

Marlene Fitzsimmons Grant

Matthew Parrenas

Congratulations to Matthew Parrenas from North Vancouver, BC, recipient of the 2025 RPNF Marlene Fitzsimmons Grant. Matthew presented his research poster entitled “Policy Prohibiting Practice: The Non-regulation of Registered Psychiatric Nurses and the Call for Pan-Canadian Advocacy” at the 2024 Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses 2024 National Conference “Leading Change: The Future of Mental Health and Substance Use Nursing in Canada” in November 20, 2024.

The implications of his presentation included the critical appraisal of regulatory policies that currently impact practitioners of registered psychiatric nursing, highlighting the historicopolitical influence amongst current regulatory practices that promote against the regulation of registered psychiatric nursing on the dated basis of protecting ‘public interest’ in jurisdictions where registered psychiatric nurses are not regulated, creating and promoting discourse regarding provincial legislative amendments to support the regulation, integration, and full scope of RPNs in all Canadian healthcare systems and finally illuminating the refusal to regulate RPNs to ‘protect public interest’ as misaligned with evidence-based calls to address pressing public health concerns and health care system issues.

Indigenous Studies Grant

Kirston Blom

Congratulations to Kirston Blom from Regina SK, recipient of the 2025 RPNF Indigenous Studies Grant! Kirston is a band member of Peepeekisis Cree Nation and Metis descent. Kriston presented her abstract at the National Gathering of Graduate Students, October 9 – 11, 2024 in Vancouver, a national annual gathering bringing together Indigenous Graduate Students doing research on Indigenous health and wellness. Kirston convened with other like-minded Indigenous graduate students to gain valuable knowledge, present her abstract, and enhance the development of her research to authentically reflect Indigenous methodologies.

Kirston is committed to highlighting the systemic gaps that Indigenous people face in healthcare and justice settings, noting that Indigenous offenders with complex mental health needs and cognitive disabilities encounter significant barriers, such as a lack of specialized care and culturally competent professionals. Her research aims to address these deficiencies by advocating for a more holistic approach while integrating traditional healing with modern psychiatric care. Kirston plans to reflect on any gaps in her research, proactively resolve those gaps, and gain a deeper awareness of Indigenous culture and perspective, utilizing any resources made available during this conference.

Kirston aims to contribute to a more just and compassionate healthcare system for the First Nations population in Saskatchewan.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Lendre Pilon – Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing Practice – Clinical

Congratulations to Lendre Pilon recipient of the 2025 RPNF Award of Excellence – Clinical. Lendre has worked at Milner Ridge Correctional Centre since 2012 as a Correctional Psychiatric Nurse. Lendre works with individuals in the criminal justice system who are often marginalized and significantly stigmatized. She provides screening and comprehensive assessments for high risk individuals who are incarcerated on a temporary basis. Lendre takes a notably compassionate and non-judgemental approach, thinking outside the box and prioritizing continuity and follow-up for individuals when they leave the centre, mitigating recidivism. She is calm under pressure, ensures that she has all of the critical information before making decisions, and is appreciated for her critical thinking.

Lendre is highly respected on the multidisciplinary team, and has gained the trust and regard of the team’s psychiatrist, the Director of Health Services, Senior Management, frontline Correctional staff and Health Service colleagues alike. She is a leader on multiple levels, including covering for her supervisor, mentoring newly graduating psychiatric nurses and students and modeling a confident, well-informed approach among her colleagues. Lendre values teamwork and participates in planning with other community partners such as Forensic Psychological Services and Community Mental Health Programs. She is an autonomous thinker, and is also adept at discerning when to apprise leadership of relevant issues, while ensuring appropriate documentation.

Kayla Lemieux – Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing Practice – Clinical

Congratulations to Kayla Lemieux recipient of the 2025 RPNF Award of Excellence – Clinical. Kayla works as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse within the emergency department at HSC, WRHA women’s addictions treatment, Remand Center and the Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT). Kayla is a leader in her clinical work developing, implementing and evaluating strategies that directly benefit both clients and their families. In her various roles, she regularly leads care planning initiatives that encompass a holistic and client-centered approach. Whether she is facilitating urgent interventions in the emergency department or advocating for the safety of women in treatment, her approach is thoughtful, ethically-implemented and tailored to meet the complex needs of the individuals she serves. Kayla’s deep understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable individuals is backed up by advocacy for more inclusive and compassionate care models. She works collaboratively with other professionals to improve service delivery in the emergency department, jail, and community settings, ensuring that the most effective and evidence-based practices are adopted. She navigates complex situations with the highest standard of integrity and respect for client confidentiality and rights. Her ability to address ethical dilemmas in a compassionate and professional manner has earned the trust and admiration of her colleagues, managers and patients. Kayla’s approach considers client dignity and safety and ensures that individuals feel valued, heard, and prepared to make informed decisions about their care.

Kayla is respected among colleagues and the broader community alike for her clinical judgement and use of leading practice interventions in her work with individuals who present with high risk features. She remains committed to ongoing professional development, completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology degree subsequent to her psychiatric nursing degree.

Dr. Candice Waddell-Henowitch – Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing Practice – Research

Congratulations to Dr. Candice Waddell-Henowitch recipient of the 2025 RPNF Award of Excellence – Research. Dr. Waddell-Henowitch, RPN, BScPN, MPN, PhD, an Associate Professor at Brandon University has made significant contributions to the field of psychiatric nursing by addressing various gaps in the literature through her extensive research. For example, she has advanced evidence-based psychiatric nursing practice through research in critical areas, including the health and mental well-being of rural Canadians, Indigenous men’s health, community wellness, and sexualized violence. Additionally, she has explored anti-racism strategies in psychiatric nursing education. Dr. Waddell-Henowitch’s research is guided by trauma-informed and culturally sensitive methodologies. She also plays a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding undergraduate and graduate psychiatric nursing students, particularly those in the Master of Psychiatric Nursing program, as they undertake their research and complete their theses.

She contributes to innovative educational practices through her ongoing professional development, training, and research. Fostering inclusivity is important to her as she creates welcoming environments that support diverse learning needs. She disseminates her research findings in a variety of ways, including peer-reviewed articles and presentations. Dr. Waddell-Henowitch has an impressive academic portfolio, with 30 published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and over 40 peer-reviewed presentations. She has actively contributed to the academic community by serving as a peer reviewer for numerous grants, manuscripts, textbooks, and conference abstracts. Additionally, Dr. Waddell-Henowitch is the President of the YWCA Westman and is on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Canada. She has an extensive history of service to the Faculty of Health Studies and Brandon University, and has played key roles on several committees, including the Brandon University Senate Research Committee and the Brandon University Research Ethics Committee.

BURSARIES

Megan June Roziere – RPNF Bursary (2024)

This bursary is provided to a 3rd year student, going into their 4th year in the Brandon University, Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program.

GOLD MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE, BScPN

Jelaine van der Meulen – RPNF 2025 Gold Medal of Excellence (Winnipeg Campus)

This medal is awarded to a Brandon University graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program (Winnipeg Campus) who has consistently demonstrated leadership, academic excellence and clinical proficiency.