Communauté de pratique francophone < Back Maude Pothier-Cyr B. Sc. inf., infirmière clinicienne stomothérapeute, PSCC(C) Communauté de pratique francophone Version française : Je suis infirmière depuis 2015 et stomothérapeute depuis 2019. Au cours de ma carrière, j'ai travaillé dans plusieurs secteurs de soins, notamment sur les unités de médecine et de chirurgie ainsi qu'en soutien à domicile sur le territoire de Lanaudière. C'est en accompagnant des personnes vivant avec des plaies complexes dans leur milieu de vie que j'ai développé une passion pour ce domaine spécialisé et que j'ai choisi de poursuivre ma formation en stomothérapie. Depuis 2024, j'occupe le poste d'infirmière clinicienne stomothérapeute à l'Hôpital de Joliette. Ma pratique est dédiée aux soins de plaies et aux soins de stomie, tant auprès de la clientèle hospitalisée qu'en soutien aux équipes de soins de la région. J'apprécie particulièrement l'autonomie professionnelle, l'approche collaborative et la possibilité d'améliorer concrètement la qualité de vie des patients et de leurs proches. Mon implication au sein de l'Association représente une première expérience pour moi. J'ai souhaité m'engager afin de contribuer au rayonnement de la communauté francophone et de favoriser le partage des connaissances entre les professionnels œuvrant dans le domaine des plaies et des stomies. Je crois que ces espaces d'échange sont essentiels pour soutenir le développement de notre expertise et renforcer les liens entre collègues à travers le pays. Je suis heureuse de pouvoir représenter la relève au sein de l'Association et de participer au développement d'une communauté francophone dynamique, inclusive et engagée. English version: I have been a registered nurse since 2015 and a NSWOC nurse since 2019. Throughout my career, I have worked in various healthcare settings, including medical and surgical units as well as home care services across the Lanaudière region. Supporting patients with complex wounds in their home environment sparked my passion for wound care and ultimately led me to pursue specialized training in wound and ostomy care. Since 2024, I have been working as a NSWOC at Joliette Hospital. My practice focuses exclusively on wound and ostomy care, supporting both hospitalized patients and healthcare teams throughout the region. I particularly value the professional autonomy, collaboration, and meaningful impact that this specialty has on patients' quality of life. My involvement with the Association is my first experience in a leadership role within the organization. I chose to become involved to help strengthen the Francophone community and promote knowledge sharing among professionals working in wound and ostomy care. I believe these opportunities for collaboration are essential to advancing our specialty and supporting colleagues across Canada. I am honoured to contribute to the growth of a vibrant and inclusive Francophone community and to help represent the next generation of NSWOC nurses.

Administrative Support < Back Shelley Draper Administrative Support

Communauté de pratique francophone < Back Audray Lafortune Bsc., infirmière clinicienne, stomothérapeute, PSCC(C) Communauté de pratique francophone Version française : Je suis infirmière depuis 2010, stomothérapeute depuis 2018 et certifier depuis 2019. Ma passion pour les plaies s’est développée aux soins à domicile, mais c'est suite a un remplacement en stomothérapie que j'ai appris que les soins de stomie était mon chouchou! Je travail dans un centre régional d’environ 300 lits de soins aigus et 200 lits d’hébergement, en plus d’une clinique ambulatoire de plaies et stomie. Ma pratique est seulement en plaies et en stomie. Nous avons de très bonnes relations avec une variété de spécialistes, ce qui nous permet d’avoir une clientèle très diversifiée. Par le passé, je me suis impliquée dans mon association provinciale en tant que trésorière et dans l'ISPSCC en tant que directrice régionale pour le Québec. Je suis parfaitement bilingue, mais je crois que nous devons avoir une représentation de la francophonie au sein de l'ISPSCC pour bien représenté les enjeux des francophones, souvent en minorité lorsqu'ils sont hors Québec, a travers le pays. English version: I’ve been an RN since 2010, a NSWOC since 2018 and CNA certified since 2019. For many the work of the NSWOC team is mostly unknown, but I discovered a field of great autonomy, highly competent nurses and daily challenges to make patients' lives better. My hospital is a regional hospital with 300 acute care beds and 200 long term care beds. We also have an ambulatory clinic for wound and ostomy care. We have a great working relationship with multiple specialists, which means we have a very diversified clientele. In the past, I was a member of the executive committee of my provincial association and Québec regional directeur for NSWOCC. I am perfectly bilingual, but I believe in the importance of having representation of the minority French speaking communities, especially outside Québec.

Atlantic < Back Denise Nicholson BN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Atlantic My passion for wound care started early in my over 20-year nursing career when I worked on a surgical unit in Fredericton, NB. I also remember my first ostomy patient. He was a quadriplegic, and I was able to see how greatly his ostomy improved his quality of life. Then military life took my family and I to ON where I began working for an agency with an ET. I learned about the role and its value and my interest in ostomy and wound care further grew. Little did I know that soon after I would have someone dear to me need an ostomy. I was able to see how it saved and improved their quality of life. We were then posted to NS and that is where I met Gail Creelman. Seeing firsthand her passion for the role and how she cared for my loved one, I realized that I needed to become an ET. I was fortunate to learn from Gail and Karla Lohnes and colleagues in Halifax and I graduated from the program in 2016. My ET career began. Our final posting brought us back to NB, and I was so lucky to obtain an NSWOC position at the Moncton hospital. Since then, my passion for anything related to wounds, ostomy and now continence has only grown. I obtained my CNA certification in 2020, I attend Ostomy Moncton support group meetings and I am a four-time Ostomy Canada Ostomy Youth Camp volunteer. If I can create change in NB and the rest of Canada before my NSWOC career is done, it is to aid in the creation of provincial ostomy, catheter and additional essential medical supply programs as well as to assist with the augmentation of the NSWOC role in hospital, community and long-term care sectors.

Membership < Back Kira Stewart Membership

Community Engagement < Back Jennifer Bilbie MClSc-WH, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), CIC Community Engagement

NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair < Back Geoff Fournie NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair

Chief Executive Officer < Back Axelle Pellerin MBA, BA Chief Executive Officer Axelle is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 20 years of experience in complex health environments. Axelle has held senior leadership roles across leading healthcare organizations, including the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Unity Health Toronto (St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto), and the Ottawa Hospital. She Chaired the Board of the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre, one of only two midwifery led out of hospital independent Health Facilities. Axelle has recently completed her executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Membership < Back Shelly Barnes BN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Membership

Treasurer < Back Anne-Marie Blais BScN, RN, NSWOC Treasurer

Past President < Back Christine Murphy PhD, MClSc(WH), BSc(Hons) Tissue Viability, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Past President Dr. Murphy is a Registered Nurse and Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence (NSWOC) with Canadian Nurses’ Association certification. Chris studied Tissue Viability with Professional Practice at undergraduate level, and also the Master of Clinical Science of Wound Healing degree from Western University. Her doctoral research investigated the assessment and treatment of lower extremity wounds in the vascular surgery population, with focus on ultrasound debridement and wound infection. The appearance of infection specific to the vascular population and associated protease activity were also explored. Professional activities include co- chair of the Communications Committee of the Canadian Society of Vascular Nurses, Associate Core Faculty Member and Course Examiner of the Master Clinical Science of Wound Healing graduate program at Western University, Panel Member of the 2013 RNAO Best Practice Guideline Update: Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Stakeholder of the current RNAO Best Practice Guideline Update: Pressure Ulcers. Christine is a frequent manuscript reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and a speaker at national conferences. Chris currently works at The Ottawa Hospital, with specialty in complex surgical and vascular surgery wounds. Her position incorporates care of patients in the pre and post- operative phase including ostomy surgeries, surgical and trauma wounds, and limb salvage management. Additionally, Chris is an educator and mentor for health professionals interested in complex wound management. Originally from Gloucester, England, Chris makes her home in Ottawa and is the proud mother of 3.

Paediatric Community of Practice < Back Emily Woodgate BScN, RN-AP, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Paediatric Community of Practice Emily is a Canadian Nurses Association certified NSWOC who works at the IWK Health which is a Paediatric referral center for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. As a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence , she works with patients in the three specialties from premature babies, children and youth. Current