Honouring NSWOC & SWAN: Help Us Recognize Retiring NSWOCC Members

Across Canada and beyond, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs), Skin Wellness Associate Nurses (SWANs), and members of our broader community have dedicated their careers to improving patient outcomes, advancing practice, and strengthening health systems. As many colleagues begin to transition into retirement, NSWOCC wants to ensure their contributions are recognized, celebrated, and remembered.

We are inviting members to complete the NSWOCC Retirement Recognition & Notification Form—either for themselves or on behalf of a colleague who is planning to retire or has recently retired.

Complete the form

Why we’re collecting this information

Retirement marks an important professional milestone. For NSWOCC, it is also an opportunity to acknowledge the leadership, mentorship, innovation, and compassion that retiring members have brought to the profession over the years.

The information collected through this form will help us:

• Recognize retiring members at the NSWOCC Annual Members Meeting during the WCET–NSWOCC Joint Congress on April 25, 2026

• Celebrate their contributions in NSWOCC communications, including our newsletter and website (with permission)

• Document the history and impact of NSWOCs and SWANs across Canada and internationally

• Highlight the legacy of members who have shaped wound, ostomy, and continence care through education, clinical leadership, research, and advocacy

• Ensure colleagues are not overlooked during this important transition

Many members have spent decades building programs, mentoring new clinicians, advancing best practices, and advocating for patients and families. Capturing these stories allows us to honour that work in a meaningful and lasting way.

Who should complete the form?

We encourage submissions from:

• Members who are retiring this year or who have recently retired

• Colleagues, leaders, and friends who wish to recognize a retiring NSWOC or SWAN

• Teams who want to acknowledge someone who has had a significant impact on their organization or region

You do not need to have every detail to submit—sharing what you know helps us begin the recognition process.

What information will be used for

The form gathers career highlights, professional contributions, and recognition preferences so that acknowledgements are respectful, accurate, and meaningful. With consent, this information may be used in:

• Annual Members Meeting recognition

• Congress materials and slides

• NSWOCC website and newsletter features

• Historical and archival records of member contributions

Our goal is to ensure every retiring member feels seen, appreciated, and celebrated for the role they have played in advancing care and supporting patients and colleagues.

Help us celebrate our retiring members

If you are retiring—or know someone who is—please take a few minutes to complete the form and share their story. Your submission will help us honour the people whose dedication has shaped our community and the profession.

Together, we can recognize the careers, leadership, and lasting impact of those who have helped define wound, ostomy, and continence care in Canada and beyond.