NSWOCC® Announces the 2026 Fellows Inducted at the WCET®-NSWOCC® Joint Congress
- NSWOCC
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Celebrating leadership, excellence, and lasting contributions to the tri-specialty of wound, ostomy and continence care
May 2026 – Vancouver, British Columbia
During the WCET®-NSWOCC® Joint Congress Gala and Banquet held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) proudly inducted the 2026 class of NSWOCC Fellows.
The NSWOCC Fellowship Program represents the highest honour bestowed by NSWOCC and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and sustained contributions to the advancement of wound, ostomy and continence nursing through leadership, clinical excellence, education, mentorship, research, advocacy, and policy development.
Launched in May 2024, the Fellowship Program reflects NSWOCC’s commitment to recognizing leaders whose work has shaped and strengthened the profession across Canada and internationally. Fellows serve as role models, mentors, innovators, and advocates whose impact continues to influence the future of specialized nursing care and improve outcomes for patients and families.
NSWOCC is honoured to recognize the following individuals as the 2026 NSWOCC Fellows:
Britney Butt, MClSc-WH, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), CWOCN
Britney Butt currently serves as the Wound & Ostomy Care Coordinator at Keck Medicine of USC and has built a distinguished career grounded in advanced clinical practice, education, policy development, and research-informed leadership.
Previously serving as the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Wound, Ostomy and Continence at North York General Hospital from 2015–2024, Britney led numerous initiatives focused on clinical consultation, interdisciplinary education, quality improvement, and program development. Throughout her career, she has implemented multiple national wound, ostomy and continence programs and has demonstrated a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, pressure injury prevention, and quality assurance.
Britney holds a Master of Clinical Science in Wound Healing from Western University and is dual-certified in both Canada and the United States. Her leadership and dedication continue to influence practice standards and specialized nursing care internationally.
Shannon Handfield, RN, BSN, NSWOC, WOCC(C)
Shannon Handfield has dedicated more than two decades to advancing wound, ostomy and continence nursing practice in British Columbia and across Canada.
Beginning her specialized practice at Vancouver Hospital in 2000 with a focus on spinal cord injury care, Shannon went on to lead major provincial and regional initiatives, including serving as Vancouver Coastal Health’s Clinical Lead for the Pixalere Electronic Wound Management System and later as the Professional Practice Initiatives Lead for Wound, Ostomy and Continence.
Shannon’s leadership helped support regional and provincial committees dedicated to advancing wound and ostomy practice. In 2018, she transitioned into the role of Lead for the British Columbia Provincial Professional Practice Stream – Wound Ostomy Continence, helping expand the initiative to seven committees province-wide.
Although retired as of October 2025, Shannon continues to support the professional practice stream and remains a respected leader and mentor within the specialty.
Anna Tumchewics, BScN, RN, NSWOC
Anna Tumchewics has devoted her career to advancing nursing excellence, particularly within rural, remote, and northern communities across Canada.
A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the Dalhousie University Outpost Nursing Program, Anna completed the Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy Nursing Education Program in 2006. Her work across acute care, community care, primary care, and remote nursing settings throughout the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern British Columbia, and Ontario has had a profound impact on patient care and nursing practice.
Anna has volunteered extensively with nursing associations for more than 40 years and has contributed significantly to nursing legislation and professional advancement. She currently serves as an academic advisor with the SWAN Program and continues to mentor and support future generations of nurses.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Anna was awarded the Canadian Nurses Association Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2014 and was recognized as an Honourary Nurse Practitioner by Aurora College in 2004.
Karen E. Campbell, RN, MScN, PhD, WOCC(C)
Karen Campbell is widely recognized as one of Canada’s most influential leaders in wound care education, research, and professional practice.
Currently serving as Adjunct Faculty for the Master’s of Advanced Health Care Practice in Wound Healing at Western University, Karen has contributed extensively to the growth and advancement of specialized wound, ostomy and continence nursing nationally and internationally.
Karen was a founding board member and served in numerous leadership roles with NSWOCC, the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel, and the Canadian Association of Wound Care. She also helped develop and teach within the RNAO Wound Care Institute and Wisdom in Wound Care programs.
A prolific contributor to wound care scholarship, Karen has authored one book, six book chapters, and more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. Her expertise and leadership in pressure injury prevention and skin health continue to shape best practice guidelines and influence care internationally.
Debra Johnston, MN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C)
Debra Johnston has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing evidence-informed wound and ostomy care throughout her distinguished career.
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Wound and Ostomy at University Health Network – Toronto General Hospital for more than 19 years, Debra has contributed extensively to clinical practice, quality improvement, policy development, staff education, and mentorship.
Her leadership has been instrumental in the development of national standards, position statements, and best practice recommendations through NSWOCC and other organizations including Wounds Canada and the RNAO. Debra currently serves on the task force reviewing the revised international pressure injury guideline for the EPUAP, NPIAP and PPPIA.
Debra has also made an extraordinary impact through mentorship and education, serving as a preceptor and mentor to NSWOCC students for more than 18 years. In 2021, she was recognized with the NSWOCC President’s Award.
Honourary NSWOCC Fellow – Cathy Harley
In recognition of her more than two decades of leadership and service to NSWOCC and the broader nursing community, recently retired NSWOCC CEO Cathy Harley was named an Honourary NSWOCC Fellow during the Gala and Banquet ceremonies.
Cathy’s leadership helped guide the tremendous growth and national impact of NSWOCC, strengthening education, advocacy, certification, professional development, and international collaboration within the wound, ostomy and continence specialty. Her legacy continues to shape the organization and profession for future generations.
About the NSWOCC Fellowship Program
The NSWOCC Fellowship Program recognizes select individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the tri-specialty of wound, ostomy and continence care.
Fellowship is reserved for Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs) whose careers reflect sustained excellence and meaningful impact in clinical practice, education, research, leadership, policy development, mentorship, and advocacy.
As the Fellowship Program continues to grow, Fellows will play an important role in supporting the next generation of specialized nurses while continuing to advance patient-centred, evidence-informed care across Canada and internationally.
Learn more about the Fellowship Program: NSWOCC Fellowship Program
Learn about the inaugural Fellows inducted in 2025:2025 NSWOCC Fellows
