MARGARET R. CHARTERS BURSARY AWARD CRITERIA
The Margaret R. Charters bursary award was first introduced in 1996, in recognition of the contributions made by the late Margaret Charters, a Nursing leader at the Hamilton Civic Hospitals. Miss Charters was an administrator for Nursing and Patient Care Services at the Hamilton General Hospital from the mid-1960s to 1992. She believed strongly in advancing the educational roots for nurses, and took steps to enhance her own education – starting off as a graduate at the HGH School of Nursing, then completing her nursing diploma and her degree from the University of Western Ontario. She was a role model for continuing education, and a lifelong learner. Margaret also served as Council President at the College of Nurses of Ontario, and contributed to excellence in nursing as chairperson/advisor on many local, provincial, national and international committees and associations.
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The recipient of this award would possess the traits of a distinguished nursing leader, with passion, strong clinical reasoning and problem solving, as well as apatient and family-centred approach to care. The recipient will be a respected member of their inter-professional team, a role model and driver of the behaviours we value as part of Continuous Quality Improvement.
2023 MARGARET CHARTERS BURSARY WINNERS
The Margaret R. Charters Bursary recognizes a nurse (RN or RPN) currently employed by HHS for their demonstrated leadership potential, academic potential and commitment to excellence in nursing practice. This year we chose two recipients of the Bursary.
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Katelyn Janssen, is an RPN employed with HHS since November 2020 and in her last semester at McMaster University in combination with Mohawk to complete her BScN. She is on the trajectory to complete this degree by December of this year. In Katelyn's words - 'As an aspiring nurse, I am enthusiastic about pursuing a career in a critical care area once I am registered, as there are fewer opportunities for RPNs in these areas. I plan to obtain an RN position within HHS as this area is my passion. This bursary would assist me in achieving my current educational and professional goals. I am currently completing my final clinical placement at WLMH ER. I am excited to bring my enhanced skills and experience to assist in bridging the gap in the critically trained nurse shortage. After 2-5 years of
critical care employment, I plan to complete more education at a Master's level to obtain my nurse practitioner license. I aim to be a prominent leader in my team, where I can support and influence policies that directly affect patient care. I hold education very highly and acknowledge that healthcare is a dynamic field that needs a continually updated knowledge base, thus leading me to a lifelong education journey to excel in my career.'
Will Hutchison RN, BScN, BSc, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, McMaster Children’s Hospital. Will has been working as a Registered Nurse at MUMC on the inpatient pediatric hematology & oncology unit, 3B2 for three years. To quote Will - 'I am seeking a Master’s of Science in Nursing at McMaster University to close the gap between health teaching in the hospital and families’ abilities to care for their child at home. My goal is to create a Family-Care Coordinator role within the pediatric oncology department to provide ongoing teaching to families of children with cancer throughout treatment....Through further education, I will gain experience using peer-reviewed literature, create connections with stakeholders to guide change, and learn important pedagogy for teaching families from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds about the implications of adjusting to life with cancer. With this experience, I hope to add to the current health teaching at HHS in pediatric chronic diseases, as well as create tools that will facilitate this learning.'
Congratulations Will and Katelyn!!
2022 MARGARET CHARTERS BURSARY WINNER
The Margaret R. Charters Bursary recognizes a nurse (RN or RPN) currently employed by HHS for their demonstrated leadership potential, academic potential and commitment to excellence in nursing practice.
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This year’s recipient is Jessica Sylvester, a Registered Nurse who has worked at HHS for the past 15 years.
Sylvester began her nursing career on the 5 South - Cardiac Surgery ward at the Hamilton General Hospital and later became charge nurse on the unit. Sylvester enjoys supporting staff with skills development through mentoring level 4 nursing students and orientating several charge nurses. She has been involved with accreditation committees and embraces leadership challenges. Recently, Sylvester was appointed the interim clinical manager at the Satellite Health Facility where she supports the day-to-day operations of the soon-to-be 120 bed facility.
Sylvester enthusiastically took on responsibilities during the Epic implementation, namely in providing staff education, facilitating cut-over completion and supporting Super Users.
Sylvester graduated from McMaster University in 2007 with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Healthcare Administration at the University of New England.Those who know Sylvester appreciate her leadership, her commitment to lifelong learning, and her passion for providing the best care possible for our patients and community.
Sharon Pierson had the occasion to work with Margaret Charters early on in her career and shared at the MSA Dinner and Awards that she “knows she [Charters] would be so impressed by Sylvester’s accomplishments and her desire to advance her education and contribute to nursing in different ways.”
Congratulations, Jessica Sylvester!
2021 MARGARET CHARTERS BURSARY WINNERS
The Margaret R. Charters Bursary recognizes a nurse (RN or RPN) currently employed by Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) for their demonstrated leadership potential, academic potential and commitment to excellence in nursing practice.
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The purpose of the bursary is to provide support to an RN or RPN at HHS who wishes to pursue education related to nursing practice at the Baccalaureate or Master’s level. Congratulations to the 2021 recipients, Allyson Cann and Kelly Oucharek!
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Allyson Cann is a registered nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Hamilton General Hospital. She is pursuing a Master of Nursing degree and hopes to engage a more advanced clinical role as an educator in the future. Cann is committed to upholding HHS’ vision of “Best Care for All” and looks forward to being involved in improving and transforming nursing education for staff and students as her career progresses.
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Kelly Oucharek has been a pediatric nurse at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) since 1999. She plans to continue her degree studies part-time while raising her four children. Oucharek says her career is both meaningful and fulfilling, and she looks forward to continuing to make a difference for patients and families at MCH.
The Margaret R. Charters Nursing Bursary was established by the medical staff of the Hamilton Civic Hospitals in recognition of the contributions made by Margaret Charters, to nursing and to the Hamilton Civic Hospitals. Miss Charters was Assistant Administrator of Nursing and Patient Care Services at the Hamilton General Division from 1967 to 1993. She also served as President of the College of Nurses of Ontario, and contributed to excellence in nursing through her participation in many local, provincial, national and international committees and associations as chair or advisor.
Recipients are nominated by their colleagues and selected by a committee comprised of the Vice President, Professional Affairs & Chief Nursing Officer, the Chief of Nursing Practice, an Interprofessional Education Specialist, and an Executive Member of HHS’ Medical Staff Association (MSA).
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Congratulations to this year’s recipients!