NSWOCC Fellowship Award

Fellows in Nursing Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence – Honouring the Inaugural Fellowship Program Inductees

Abstract

At Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC), we support a culture that values and celebrates excellence. Recognizing excellence involves acknowledging and celebrating exceptional performance, achievements, or contributions in the tri-specialty of wound, ostomy and continence specialized nursing care. The goal is to motivate individuals and teams to maintain high standards and foster this culture of excellence. By launching a Fellowship Program, NSWOCC has a way to provide prestigious recognition focusing on the careers of certified NSWOCs who have made exemplary contributions to the tri-specialty. This program commenced on May 24, 2025.

On behalf of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC), I am excited to welcome our first inaugural Fellows. Fellowship represents the highest honour for NSWOCC’s most accomplished Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) who are leaders in clinical practice, education, administration, research and policy. This Fellowship Program honors exceptional contributions to NSWOCC and the nursing specialty of wound, ostomy and continence. Fellows selected for this program are recognized for their major impact in the field of specialized wound, ostomy and continence care from provincial to national to international settings, where they demonstrate leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing practice. With demonstrated passion and expertise, Fellows contribute to critical quality initiatives that support effective, evidence-based patient-centered care.

Through this prestigious designation, Fellows exemplify leadership, expertise, and dedication, shaping the future of specialized wound, ostomy and continence nursing practice to positively impact the Canadian health care system. Fellowship powerfully illustrates the many contexts in which NSWOCs across all designations and career paths make an extraordinary and lasting contribution to society. As this Fellowship Program grows, we can work together to increase the impact of this remarkable resource of wisdom and expertise to advance specialized nursing, education, research and policy leadership.

The NSWOCs being inducted as inaugural Fellows reflect a wide diversity of nursing leadership and impact. Every one of these individuals has clearly demonstrated a sustained and powerful commitment to the value of nursing excellence in wound, ostomy and continence specialized care. They are not only inspiring, but they serve as a legacy of the extraordinary leadership contributions they have made.

I would like to thank them personally for their dedication and efforts during some very challenging years where they all continued to demonstrate their commitment to their patients, their colleagues and to our association. They did not just show up. They went above and beyond to mentor, support, make change and positively impact patient care, no matter the circumstance. In their role as a Fellow, they will continue to act as mentors to provide ongoing support to NSWOCs and aligned health care professionals working in the tri-specialty of wound, ostomy and continence.

For making a difference for nurses, aligned health care professionals and patients, we salute you. They deserve to hold the credential of FNSWOC – Fellow of Nursing in Wound, Ostomy and Continence, and are worthy holders of this credential. We celebrate you, we recognize you and we look forward to many more NSWOCs following in your footsteps as we move into the future. If you are interested in nominating a colleague for this NSWOCC Fellowship Program, please e mail office@nswoc.ca and the nominations package will be e-mailed to you.