August 2010 - Constituent Society and Partnership Corner

Community Health Nurses’ Initiatives Group

The Community Health Nurses’ Initiatives Group (CHNIG) continues to be a strong and vibrant organization – an organization celebrating 22 years of advocacy and leadership in community health nursing in Ontario. Please visit our new website frequently to learn more.

New Executive

CHNIG hosted its Annual General Meeting and workshop on April 17th. The meeting marked the end of Kim Dalla Bona’s term as President of CHNIG. Kim provided strong leadership over her two- year term. Katie Dilworth began her term as President at the meeting. Other executive members include:

  • Secretary: Debra Williams-Conliffe;
  • Treasurer: Annette Sonneveld;
  • OPHA Liaison: Jennifer Tonn;
  • Student Representatives: Kirsten Bildfell, Pam Boyer;
  • Team Leaders–Communications: Susan Tam (website), Zorica Vujnic (newsletter);
  • Professional Nursing Practice: Karen Thompson (Home Health), Audrey Dahaher (Public Health);
  • Member Benefits: Samantha Thomson;
  • Policy and Political Action: Leanne Siracusa;
  • Research and Education: Barbara Kennedy;
  • Member-at-Large de Souza Institute: Joanne Crawford.

CHNC conference a huge success!

The 4th National Community Health Nurses conference was held June 16-18 at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto. It included more than 70 speakers, 6 Networking Cafes, 40 roundtable discussions and 20 poster presentations on topics relevant to community health nurses across Canada. Dr. David Butler-Jones opened the conference with a stimulating chat about Social Determinants of Health. A highlight of the conference was a play called ‘in my shoes’ which described a Soup Kitchen Community Centre that shared the stories from many who they serve. The vulnerability, brutal honesty, disappointments, and triumphs brought a new understanding of the barriers and isolation of people living in poverty. At the end of the conference, Cathy Crowe shared her perspectives on housing in Canada. This tremendously successful conference offered nurses professional development to continue building healthy communities. Presentations from the conference will be posted on the website shortly.

New edition of renowned public health manual released

Produced by the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) and Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC), the Public Health – Community Health Nursing in Canada manual identifies, defines and quantifies public health/community health nursing practice in Canada. Copies are available for download at www.cpha.ca and www.chnc.ca.