RNAO publishes new Best Practice Guideline (BPG) “Promoting Smoking Reduction and Cessation with Indigenous Peoples of Reproductive Age and Their Communities”
This BPG – aimed at meeting the needs of Indigenous women and peoples of reproductive age, their support networks and communities – can be used by nurses and members of the circle of care in primary care, community care and maternal/child settings, and in all domains of practice including administration, clinical, education, policy and research. It can also be used by organizations that employ nurses and members of the circle of care, including health and social service organizations, as well as academic settings.
This free of charge BPG provides evidence-based recommendations to help create and promote Indigenous-led smoking reduction and cessation services that are culturally safe. The recommendations include offering smoking cessation counselling, Indigenous health and cultural safety education for health providers, conducting advocacy for access to relevant resources and promoting smoke-free spaces.
RNAO past president Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite named to the Order of Ontario
In November the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the province’s lieutenant governor and chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced 24 new appointments to the order, which is the province's highest civilian honour for individuals. Past RNAO president Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite was among those on the list. She has accomplished much in her nearly five decades as a registered nurse, providing care for patients, education for nurses and by leading change. Cooper Brathwaite is a visionary leader who has used her wisdom and vast experience to oversee numerous committees and task forces, providing key strategy and a path forward. She has national and international experience in public health, maternal-child, mental health and community health nursing, as well as academic and clinical teaching experience. She holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Manitoba. She has worked diligently throughout her career to improve the lives of patients by launching initiatives to promote nursing education, improving women and children’s health and addressing racism in the nursing profession. Cooper Brathwaite was co-chair of RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force, an RNAO board member and also RNAO president from 2018-2020. She has received RNAO leadership awards in political action and nursing administration, as well as RNAO's Award of Merit and Lifetime Achievement Award. In November, Cooper Brathwaite was also inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
RNAO CEO, Dr. Doris Grinspun receives two prestigious international awards
On Oct. 13, Dr. Grinspun was invested with the Doctor Honouris Causa by the Universidad de Burgos in Spain. Grinspun accepted this honourary doctorate in person. She was awarded for her contributions to healthy public policy and evidence-based practice in Ontario and internationally. “Dr. Grinspun is relentless in her leadership, knowledge and courage to tackle the most difficult challenges in health care and nursing. As a result, recipients of health services and those who deliver nursing care are better off for her efforts,” says RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway. “I congratulate our esteemed CEO on this significant recognition and well-deserved honourary doctorate,” Holloway added. See details here.
On Sept. 23 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun was honoured for being this year’s recipient of the University of Michigan School of Nursing’s (UMSN) Career Lifetime Achievement Award. UMSN’s Alumni Awards committee selected Grinspun for her commitment to advancing nursing, health, social policy and evidence-based practice. She is a proud alumna of UMSN’s Master of Science in Nursing program.