RNAO has always been driven by the powerful voice of nurses. The expertise of more than 41,000 members working in all sectors of the health system has helped the association build political advocacy platforms and best practice guidelines (BPG) that are making a tremendous difference in the health of Ontarians and people around the world.

But RNs, NPs and nursing students understand the most important voice in the health system is that of the public, whether in health of illness. Indeed, nurses are renowned advocates for their patients and clients, and have a long history of collaborating with community organizations and partners.

So when RNAO launched its Patient and Public Engagement (PPE) initiative in the fall of 2016, the association was already regularly engaging members of the public and patients in expert panels that develop BPGs, and as stakeholders for policy documents. But with the PPE initiative, RNAO intended to enhance the contributions of patients and the public to RNAO’s mission and values by creating a formalized framework to obtain their input. “I know this work will lead to an even more progressive RNAO, both for nurses and for the public we serve,” CEO Doris Grinspun says.

To achieve this goal, RNAO created the PPE council in March 2017. The council is comprised of members of the public, many of whom have experienced the health system as patients, and also health-care providers who have seen the system from the other side. The council meets quarterly to contribute to various RNAO initiatives. Their primary goal is to keep the patient lens front-and-centre.

To understand what the council brings to RNAO, let’s meet its 10 diverse and dynamic members.