Who We Are
Board of Directors
Board Members
Judith Shamian, RN, PhD, LLD (hon), D.Sci. (hon), FAAN
CNA President 2010-2012
As president and chief executive officer of VON Canada (Victorian Order of Nurses), Judith Shamian has been a steady champion of the home and community care agenda in Canada. She holds a doctorate from Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University. Shamian is an expert speaker and consultant on such health-care issues as health human resources, leadership, and health care policy. She is the 1995 recipient of the Canadian Nurses Foundation’s Ross Award for Nursing Leadership; the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal, presented by the Governor General; awards of merit from CNA and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions in 2004; and two honorary doctoral degrees. Before joining VON Canada, Shamian was president of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario and was the executive director of Health Canada’s Office of Nursing Policy. She spent a decade as the vice-president of nursing at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital and has held a number of academic positions, including a current professorship at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto. (Read Judith Shamian’s full profile.)
Barbara Mildon, RN, MN, CHE, CCHN(C)
President-Elect 2010-2012
Barbara Mildon’s nursing experience spans the domains of clinical care, clinical education, research, regulation and administration. A certified health executive (Canadian College of Health Service Executives), she has held progressive clinical practice and management positions in Ontario and British Columbia.
Mildon is a past president of RNAO’s Community Health Nurses’ Initiatives Group and served on RNAO’s board of directors as their member-at-large for nursing practice from 2000-2004. While president of Community Health Nurses of Canada (2000-2004), she led the development of national standards of practice for community health nursing, which enabled CNA’s recognition of community health nursing as a specialty practice and its inclusion in the CNA Certification Program. (Read more.)
Rachel Bard, BScN, M.Ed.
CNA Chief Executive Officer (ex officio, non-voting)
Chester Gillan
Public Representative 2009-2012
Chester Gillan’s political career began in 1996 when he was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. During his tenure, he served as Minister of Education and Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment. In 2003, Gillan was appointed Minister of Health and Social Services, which enabled him to better understand and appreciate the role of nurses in promoting health for Canadians. Gillan holds both bachelor and masters degrees in education from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) as well as a BA from St. Dunstan’s University. Before entering politics, he taught high school in Charlottetown for 29 years. Gillan is past president of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, served as chair of the Council of Ministers of Education of Canada, and is a charter member of the Canadian Environmental Education Association. His volunteer work has led him to sit on numerous boards throughout the country. An avid sportsman, he is proud to have served on the board and as vice president of the Human Resources Division of the 1991 Canada Winter Games, held in his home province of PEI. He lives in Charlottetown with his wife, Fran.
Nancy McKay, BScPT, MSA
Public Representative 2009-2011
Nancy McKay brings multidisciplinary experience within national and international health-care arenas. As a physiotherapist and management consultant with expertise in human resources, strategic planning and policy development, McKay believes in building consensus and taking collaborative action to strengthen the public health-care system. She is past president of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and served as treasurer of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. McKay has worked on many provincial, national & international nursing projects. She holds an undergraduate physiotherapy degree from Dalhousie University and an MSc in administration from Central Michigan University, and has received several prestigious national awards in recognition of her leadership abilities. Her background encompasses diverse and innovative projects in health, education, sport and community economic development. She is Chief Operating Officer of the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships and president of Management Dimensions Inc., a consulting firm specializing in the health sector.
Nancy Lefebre, RN, BScN, MScN, CHE, FCCHSE
Associate Member Representative 2008-2010
As a registered nurse and certified health executive, Nancy Lefebre has worked in many areas of the health system over the past 20 years, from community health to front-line acute care. Today, Lefebre is chief clinical executive and senior vice-president of knowledge and practice at Saint Elizabeth Health Care in Markham, Ontario, where she is leading the creation and transfer of knowledge throughout the organization. Lefebre also is one of the first nursing leaders in Canada to complete the Executive Training for Research Application program and is now spearheading the integration of evidence into management decision-making throughout Saint Elizabeth. She sits on CNA’s board of directors as an associate member representative. With a master’s degree in nursing and recognition as a fellow of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, Lefebre is a specialist in fostering effective communication and collaboration among clinicians, researchers, managers and policy-makers.
Sandra Easson-Bruno, RN, MN, GNC(C)
Associate Member Representative 2007-2011
With an undergraduate and a graduate degree in nursing from the University of Toronto, Sandra Easson-Bruno is the project director for Regional Seniors Health in Ontario’s North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network. She currently serves on CNA’s board as an associate member representative. Her professional passions include seniors’ health and advanced nursing practice, and for over twelve years she married these two worlds in her role as a clinical nurse specialist in geriatric care. Her background includes experience in medicine, diabetes, emergency department care and complex continuing care. Easson-Bruno has been involved in the leadership of provincial and national advanced practice nursing groups, including the Canadian Association of Advanced Practice Nurses. She is a strong supporter of collaborative and innovative approaches that challenge traditional boundaries.
Branden Shepitka
Canadian Nursing Students’ Association Representative 2010-2011
(ex officio, non-voting)
President, Canadian Nursing Students’ Association
Branden Shepitka studied health sciences at the University of Ottawa prior to beginning his nursing studies at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. As a nursing student, he has gained clinical experience in long-term care, health promotion, surgery, complex care, in-patient psychiatry, cardiology and assertive community treatment. He has a strong interest in mental health and community nursing services. As president of the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association, Shepitka represents over 25,000 nursing students across the country. He has had the opportunity to serve on many local, provincial and national committees, and has also had the opportunity to speak at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health regarding natural health products regulations.
Pamela Ratner, PhD, RN, FCAHS
British Columbia 2009-2011
Vice-Chair, College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia
A professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing, Pam Ratner brings to the nursing profession a long history of health education, research and clinical practice. Educated at the University of Alberta, she holds certificates in critical care nursing and epidemiology. At UBC, Ratner co-directs both the Centre for Nursing and Health Behaviour Research and the multidisciplinary NEXUS research unit. As a long-time health promotion researcher, her current research focuses on heart health and health behaviour for protection against heart disease. In 2007, Ratner was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She is a member of the Institute Advisory Board of the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health, and co-chairs the Nursing Research Advisory Council, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research.
Joan Petruk, RN, MHS, COHN(C)
Alberta 2009-2011
President, College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
Prior to her stint as president-elect of CARNA (2007-2009), Petruk served from 2004 to 2007 as a member of its provincial council representing the Central Alberta region. She has served on CARNA’s appeals committee, audit committee and elections and resolution committee, and in 2007 received the Vogel award for exemplary service to CARNA. Petruk’s nursing career focus is on public health/home care and occupational health nursing, where she has worked at the provincial level. She also taught occupational health nursing and disability management at Grant MacEwan College and has worked in acute/continuing care. Petruk received her bachelor of science in nursing and master of health studies in leadership from Athabasca University. She also holds a graduate nursing diploma, a public health nursing diploma and an occupational health nursing certificate, and is CNA-certified in occupational health nursing. Since 1996, Petruk has been director, Health, Safety and Employee Wellness for Alberta Health Services. She resides in Camrose, Alberta.
David Kline, RN
Saskatchewan 2009-2011
President, Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association
During his 35-year career in health care, David Kline has experienced a progression of health-care reforms in Saskatchewan. A registered nurse for the past 25 years, Kline has held leadership positions in acute care, long-term care and home care services. He is currently program coordinator for the Saskatoon Health Region’s Continuing Care and Seniors’ Health program, providing direction in quality and safety to 2,100 residents of 29 special-care homes. Dedicated to the profession of nursing, Kline served for six years as a council member of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association, and is currently president. He has a particular understanding of issues related to nurses working in rural and remote areas, which stems from his farming and agricultural background.
Robin Finney, RN, BN
Manitoba 2010-2012
President, College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Robin Finney attributes her wealth of nursing experience to her work as a community health nurse in rural Manitoba’s First Nation communities and as a nurse manager in acute care. Finney also works as an instructor at the provincial faculty level with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, where she teaches ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). Throughout her nursing career, Finney has balanced her work-life through her involvement with CRNM, where she has served on the board of directors, as well as on a number of committees and initiatives. She lives with her husband on a cattle ranch on the shores of Lake Manitoba.
David McNeil, RN, BScN, MHA, CHE
Ontario 2010-2012
President, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
David McNeil is president of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario and has been a nurse for over 20 years. McNeil has worked as a front-line nurse in the northern and remote area of Attawapiskat, Ontario, and has held nursing positions in chronic care, mental health and medical-surgical nursing. McNeil has worked as a clinical educator, director of quality management and professional practice, and has held senior administrative positions as a clinical program director and corporate planner. Since 2001, he has been the vice-president of Clinical Programs and chief nursing officer at the Sudbury Regional Hospital. McNeil is strongly committed to the nursing profession and to the important role that nurses play in the health system in ensuring quality outcomes for patients.
Martha L. Vickers, MN, NP
New Brunswick 2009-2011
President, Nurses Association of New Brunswick
Martha Vickers is a primary health care nurse practitioner in a family practice in Bathurst, New Brunswick. A nursing educator since 1997, she is an instructor in the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) baccalaureate nursing program, and a preceptor for nurse practitioner graduate students at three Canadian universities. Vickers’ clinical nursing practice has included primary health care nurse practitioner, staff nurse, primary nurse and clinical nurse in various ICU departments and surgery units; staff nurse in a cardiac reference centre; and cardiology nurse research coordinator at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. She was educated at UNB, where she received her bachelor and master of nursing degrees. Vickers belongs to numerous nursing organizations, and chairs the Advisory Committee to New Brunswick Nurse Practitioner Initiative, the Nurse Practitioner Therapeutics Committee for New Brunswick and the NANB Strategic Planning Committee. To balance her nursing life, Vickers is a choral singer and, since 1996, organist and choral director at her church. She volunteers extensively in her community.
Judith Bailey, RN, MN
Nova Scotia 2010-2012
President, College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia
Judy Bailey is an assistant professor of nursing at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She graduated with a diploma in nursing from Sydney City Hospital in 1976 and has enjoyed 26 years in the field of health-care delivery. Judy is a strong proponent of life-long learning and has completed many clinical, leadership and managerial courses. She received her bachelor of science in nursing from St. Francis Xavier University and her master of nursing in nursing education from Memorial University. Since 2002, Bailey has been using her clinical experience and stories to contribute to the education of the next generation of nurses. Her primary area of interest is related to student learning and innovative teaching methods. She also has a keen interest in health promotion and in advocating for behavioural change to establish healthy lifestyles. She has always been committed to moving the profession of nursing forward and feels very fortunate to be the president of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia and a member of the board of CNA.
Marilyn Barrett, RN, MN
Prince Edward Island 2010-2012
President, Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island
Marilyn Barrett is passionate about patient-centered, collaborative care and the use of technology in nursing – so she is well-positioned in her current role as implementation and change manager of the Clinical Information System project for building PEI's electronic health records. Barrett has worked in acute care (medical/surgical/emergency nursing), home care (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis) and nursing administration. She served as chief nursing officer for community hospitals and continuing care for the PEI department of health , and is a former clinical coordinator and clinical instructor at the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Nursing, where she received her nursing diploma. Her baccalaureate in nursing is from the University of New Brunswick and her master's in nursing from Athabasca University. Barrett’s volunteer work includes membership on the Community Foundation of PEI Granting Committee as well as the Joyful Sounds Choir.
Bev White, RN, MScN, CCHN(C)
Newfoundland and Labrador 2010-2012
President, Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
Bev White has been director of population and public health in the central region of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) since January 2006. A certified community health nurse, she holds a certificate in quality management from the Canadian Healthcare Association. White is a member of the Community Health Nurses Association of Canada and the NL Public Health Association, and served for six years on the ARRNL council as central regional representative prior to becoming president-elect in 2008. She has worked throughout NL in the areas of acute care, education and community health as staff nurse, instructor, community outreach coordinator, public health nurse, nursing manager and director of planning and quality. She currently participates in a network of public health decision-makers and researchers from the Atlantic provinces exploring the role of communities of practice in evidence-informed decision-making. A 1982 graduate of Western Memorial Regional Hospital’s school of nursing, White received a bachelor in nursing from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1987 and a master of science in nursing from Charles Sturt University (Australia) in 1999. To balance her life, White enjoys reading, exercising and sewing.
Angela Rintoul, NP, MN
Northwest Territories and Nunavut 2010-2012
President, Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Angela Rintoul’s laudable nursing career began in 1997 in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, where she worked as a community health nurse. After moving to Iqaluit in 2004, Rintoul demonstrated her passion for continuing education and obtained her master’s in advanced nursing practice from the University of Athabasca – while working tirelessly as a nursing educator, public health nurse and emergency nurse. She is a former nursing instructor at Nunavut Arctic College and now a full-time nurse practitioner at the Family Practice Clinic in Iqaluit. Rintoul is also a diligent advocate for northern nurses. She serves as northern jurisdiction representative on CNA’s Canadian Registered Nurse Exam review committee, is president of an after-school program in Iqaluit, and participated in a research project on smoking among pregnant women in Nunavut’s Baffin region. Rintoul received her nursing science diploma from Ottawa’s Algonquin College in 1995, and her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Victoria in 2007. She maintains her certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and immunization competency. She lives in Iqaluit with her husband, Johnny Issaluk, son Konnor and daughter Ciara.
Peggy Heynen, RN
Yukon 2009-2011
President, Yukon Registered Nurses Association
As a young girl growing up in a large family in Cape Breton, Peggy Heynen always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Never wavering from her dream, she entered Halifax’s Victoria General School of Nursing straight from high school and graduated with a diploma in nursing in 1989.Heynen began her nursing career in Nova Scotia where she worked for two years at Victoria General Hospital as a registered nurse on an orthopedics unit. Her keen sense of adventure landed her nursing jobs in Happy Valley, Labrador, Cape Breton and Skowhegan, Maine, where she gained valuable experience in geriatrics, pediatrics and general medicine. Heynen eventually settled in Whitehorse, Yukon, and her nursing career has blossomed over the past 15 years. She attributes living and nursing in a small town to bringing endless opportunities for nursing in such areas as medivac, maternity and surgery. The skills she has developed as an ICU nurse and as a chemotherapy nurse are particularly gratifying to her. Heynen moved from board member to president of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA) – a position that has earned her great respect for the YRNA as well as for CNA, and in which she derives much satisfaction and enjoyment.
Updated: July 30, 2010
