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Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations Each February, people across Canada come together to mark Black History Month —a time to honour the legacy, achievements, and ongoing contributions of Black communities who have helped shape this country. The Government of Canada  has announced the 2026 theme for Black History Month: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This milestone theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada by recognizing the enduring impact of Black Canadians across time. It honours nation builders—those who advanced civil rights, strengthened social justice, and shaped Canada’s cultural and political landscape—while also uplifting tomorrow’s visionaries: emerging leaders, innovators, and changemakers redefining excellence across every field. By centring Black Brilliance Across Generations , the theme highlights continuity, resilience, and progress. It invites reflection on historical achievements while inspiring future possibilities, reinforcing that Black history is not only about the past, but about shaping Canada’s future. This intergenerational lens strengthens community pride and aligns with broader goals of equity, inclusion, and collective responsibility. Our Commitment at Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada As February marks Black History Month, it is also a time to reflect on ongoing challenges, including systemic barriers and discrimination that continue to impact Black communities—particularly within healthcare systems. NSWOCC proudly acknowledges the pivotal role of Black nurses in shaping Canada’s nursing profession. In past years, we have highlighted trailblazers such as Dr. Carrie M. Best, Bernise Redmon, and Clotilda Adessa Yakimchuk, whose leadership and advocacy paved the way for future generations. This year, guided by the theme Black Brilliance Across Generations , our Membership Core Program is delighted to highlight the story of Gloria Baylis: A Trailblazer in Canadian Healthcare and Civil Rights: Honouring Gloria Baylis: A Trailblazer in Canadian Healthcare and Civil Rights By Laura Patterson, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), CCHN(C) Gloria Leon Baylis (née Clarke) was a pioneering figure in Canadian healthcare and civil rights. Born June 29, 1929, in Barbados, she migrated to Montreal in 1952 after training in England to become a nurse. Baylis worked at several Montreal hospitals, including the Montreal General Hospital and Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, where she served as an operating room supervisor. Her dedication to patient care and professional excellence laid the groundwork for her future endeavors. In 1964, Baylis became the central figure in Canada’s first successful employment-related racial discrimination case. After being denied a nursing position at Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel one day after Quebec’s anti-discrimination law came into effect, she filed a complaint under the new legislation. The court ruled in her favour in 1965, and after an 11-year legal battle, the decision was upheld in 1977. Although the employer was only fined $25, the ruling marked a significant milestone in Canadian human rights history, as it represented the first conviction of racial discrimination in employment in the country. Beyond her legal victory, Baylis made significant contributions to healthcare innovation. In 1986, she founded Baylis Medical Company, initially importing medical devices to Canada. Under her leadership, the company evolved into a leading developer of innovative medical technologies, particularly in cardiology and pain management. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to improving patient care have left an indelible mark on the medical field. In 1999, Baylis also received the Jackie Robinson Award for Business Person of the Year. In this moving reflection, Gloria Baylis’s son, Frank Baylis, former Member of Parliament and Executive Chairman of the Board of Baylis Medical Company, recounts the resilience and determination that drove her to challenge racial discrimination and leave a legacy that continues to shape safer, more equitable workplaces for generations to come: References: Flynn, K. (2023, May 12). Gloria Baylis. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gloria-baylis https://www.cbc.ca/arts/breaking-barriers-gloria-baylis-play-1.7449242 Advancing Equity in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Care Recognizing the persistent underrepresentation of Black nurses in healthcare—and the need for greater research and education related to wound, ostomy, and continence care for Black and dark-skinned individuals—NSWOCC is proud to support impactful education at the upcoming WCET®–NSWOCC® 2026 Joint Congress. This includes the session “Persons with dark skin tones: implications in skin and wound care,”  presented by: Elizabeth A. Ayello  (USA) Emmy Nokaneng  (South Africa) We are grateful to each presenter for sharing their expertise and helping advance inclusive, evidence-informed practice. Explore the full Congress program at: https://www.wcet-nswocc2026.com/program Learning, Reflection, and Action We invite you to join us in honouring Black History Month  this February—by learning more about Black Canadian communities, reflecting on the past 30 years of progress, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of healthcare. Together, let’s continue this journey of education and action—not just this month, but as we work toward a more inclusive, equitable, and responsive healthcare environment for all. For more information about Black History Month in Canada, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html

WOC Institute Launches New Pharmacist Wound, Ostomy and Continence Course to Strengthen Interprofessional, Patient-Centred Care February 2, 2026 — The Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute is pleased to announce the launch of its new Pharmacist Wound, Ostomy and Continence Course , a comprehensive, interactive, online course designed specifically for Canadian pharmacists seeking to expand their clinical knowledge and enhance patient care across practice settings. Developed by Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)-certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs®), in collaboration with pharmacists and physicians, this state-of-the-art course provides evidence-informed foundational education in wound care, ostomy management, continence care, and skin health. The course equips pharmacists with the knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently support individuals living with wound, ostomy, and continence concerns, while strengthening collaboration within the interprofessional healthcare team. “The Pharmacist Wound, Ostomy and Continence Course reflects the WOC Institute’s commitment to advancing interprofessional education and improving patient outcomes. Pharmacists play a critical role in patient education, product selection, and medication management, and this course supports them in delivering holistic, person-centred care.” About the Course The Pharmacist Wound, Ostomy and Continence Course is a 20-week, self-paced, interactive online program  aligned with the Canadian Standards of Practice and Professional Competencies for pharmacists. Learners can expect to spend approximately 4–5 hours per week  engaging with course content. The course includes: Four structured sections: Review, Skin & Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Interactive workbooks and online learning resources Integrated knowledge checks within each module Weekly mentorship hours with a CNA-certified NSWOC® Interactive online discussion boards A final online quiz Automatic issuance of a certificate of completion Learning Outcomes Upon completion, pharmacists will be prepared to: Apply foundational principles of wound healing and skin health in pharmacy practice Differentiate common wound types and recommend appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies Identify ostomy-related complications, recommend product selection, and support individuals living with an ostomy Apply continence management principles to promote and protect skin health Integrate wound, ostomy, and continence considerations into medication reviews and patient assessments Deliver clear, compassionate education to individuals, caregivers, pharmacy teams, and support staff Collaborate effectively with NSWOCs® and the broader healthcare team to improve patient outcomes Flexible Registration and Access Registration is completed through the Dual Code platform, allowing pharmacists to enroll individually, register multiple staff at a group rate, or purchase a site license for organizational access. Once registered, learners can begin the course immediately and progress at their own pace. Registration Cost $950  – Individual course fee 10% discount  – Available for groups of more than 10 users $50,000  – Site license for up to 1,000 users Registration Now Open Canadian pharmacists interested in advancing their professional practice and strengthening their contributions to wound, ostomy, and continence care are encouraged to register now. For more information or to register, visit https://www.wocinstitute.ca/pharmacist . For questions, contact: Toll Free: 1-877-614-1262 administration@wocinstitute.ca Help us share the news! Share this flyer with pharmacists in your network.

NSWOCC was pleased to host a successful  Ontario Local Meeting and Education Day  on  Wednesday, January 21, 2026 , in  Sudbury, Ontario , bringing Members together for an evening of education, collaboration, and connection. Hosted in partnership with  Urgo Medical Canada , the in-person event took place at Verdiccio Ristorante and welcomed NSWOCC Members from the region for a dynamic and engaging program. The evening began with registration and networking, followed by a team-building exercise and organizational updates led by  Joshua Moralejo , MScCH:WPC, RN, BScN, NSWOC,WOCC(C), IIWCC, NSWOCC Ontario Regional Director , and  Josée Sénéchal , MScCH-WC, BScN, RN, NSWOC. This session provided an opportunity for Members to connect with colleagues, share insights, and raise questions and challenges to the NSWOCC Board, reinforcing the value of local engagement and open dialogue. The educational component of the evening featured the presentation  “Clean to Heal: Rethinking Wound Cleansing in Canada,”  delivered by  Josée Sénéchal . The session focused on the latest IWII guidelines for therapeutic wound cleansing, examined current gaps in Canadian practice, compared cleansing solutions and techniques, and highlighted how evidence-based approaches can be integrated into everyday patient care. The Sudbury meeting is part of NSWOCC’s ongoing series of Local Ontario meetings, designed to create accessible, in-person opportunities for Members across the province to connect, learn, and engage. Similar meetings were held in Ontario in the fall, reinforcing NSWOCC’s commitment to reaching members beyond a single location and fostering meaningful connections at the local and regional level. A sincere thank you to our NSWOC educators, our dedicated industry partners, and Urgo Medical for making these free educational opportunities possible. NSWOCC looks forward to continuing this momentum and remains committed to hosting additional local and regional Ontario meetings in the future, ensuring Members across the province have opportunities to engage, share, and learn together. Save the Date Join us for a virtual Ontario Regional Meeting on Wednesday, April 15 from 7-8pm EST on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ax1rpGFkR8WtCqBWvfX1HA . This regional meeting will be open to all NSWOCC Members across Ontario and will cover key updates, learnings, and feedback from the recent local meetings, ensuring Members are kept informed even if they weren’t able to attend a previous local meeting.

Academic Registrar < Back Cheryl Harding Academic Registrar

Job Listings Interested in posting a job on this page? Please fill out our job posting application. For any questions please contact Catherine Harley at office@nswoc.ca. Job Posting Application Wound Care Specialist Ontario Health atHome Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Close Thursday, December 31, 2026 Read Posting Details Wound Care Nurse Consultant RN Bayshore HealthCare Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Monday, January 12, 2026 Close Monday, March 16, 2026 Read Posting Details Registered Nurse, NSWOC (Multiple Positions) VON Canada Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse, Wound Care Spectrum Health Care Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Friday, December 5, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse, Wound Care Spectrum Health Care Mississauga, ON, Canada Posted Monday, November 3, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse - NSWOC VHA Home HealthCare Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Friday, October 31, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Infirmier(ère) clinicien(ne) spécialisé(e) en soins de plaie & stomothérapie Hôpital Montfort Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, October 9, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Community NSWOC Nurse (NSWOC) Stay At Home Nursing Services Inc Posted Friday, September 12, 2025 Close Monday, October 13, 2025 Read Posting Details Infirmier(ère) clinicien(ne) spécialisé(e) en soins de plaie & stomothérapie Montfort Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, May 29, 2025 Close Sunday, November 2, 2025 Read Posting Details Registered Nurse - Wound, Ostomy (ID: 30584) St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton - Charlton Campus 50 Charlton Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1Y3, Canada Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Close Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist - Skin, Wound and Ostomy Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, January 15, 2026 Close Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Read Posting Details NSWOC Nurse - RN ParaMed Home Health Care Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Close Thursday, December 31, 2026 Read Posting Details Infirmier clinicien ou infirmière clinicienne-Services de soins de plaies et de Stomie-HGM Montreal, QC, Canada Posted Friday, December 19, 2025 Close Friday, January 23, 2026 Read Posting Details Registered Nurse (Skin, Wound, & Ostomy Care) - 15801 Queensway Carleton Hospital Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Monday, November 24, 2025 Close Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist University Health Network 170 Emmett Ave, York, ON M6M 2J5, Canada Posted Monday, November 3, 2025 Close Thursday, November 6, 2025 Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist - Wound and Ostomy Care Scarborough Health Network 3050 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M1P 2V5, Canada Posted Friday, October 10, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Chief Executive Officer, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Monday, October 6, 2025 Close Read Posting Details SWAN Nurse opening Bayshore Healthcare Posted Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC Wound Care Nurse - Community ParaMed North York, ON, Canada Posted Friday, May 16, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) Nova Scotia Health / Valley Regional Hospital North, 150 Exhibition St, Kentville, NS B4N 1C3, Canada Posted Friday, December 13, 2024 Close Read Posting Details

NSWOCC Leadership Anne-Marie Blais Treasurer Read More Marianne MacMillan-Stacey NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair Read More Jennifer Bilbie Community Engagement Read More Amanda Sowiak Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Sharon Hunter SWAN Director Read More Allison Lachaine Professional Development Read More Priyanka (Pri) Jani (she/her) Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Christine Murphy Past President Read More Erin Rajhathy Community Engagement Read More Laureen Sommerey Nominating Committee Chair Read More Debra Johnston Professional Development Read More Rodney Blair NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair Read More Kevin Woo Research and Practice Co-Chair Read More Bev Smith Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Read More Misty Stephens Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Britney Butt SWAN Community of Practice Read More Mary Hill (she/her) National Conference Planning Read More Lorryjade Bellerose Communauté de pratique française / French Community of Practice Read More Karen Campbell Research and Practice Read More Lili Berescu (they/them) Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More