The 2026 Fellows in Nursing Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Award

Recognizing Excellence and Leadership

Résumé

Established May 2025, the Fellowship in Nursing Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence was launched in order to provide recognition of those certified NSWOCs who have made exemplary contributions to the wound, ostomy and tri-specialty throughout their career. These individuals have been nominated by their peers based on their outstanding practice, leadership and influence. This past April 2026, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) celebrated the induction of its second cohort of Fellows, who have been recognized with the FNSWOC (Fellow in Nursing Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence) designation recognizing a distinguished group of nursing leaders whose careers have advanced wound, ostomy and continence care in Canada and beyond.

The 2026 Fellows were inducted during the WCET®–NSWOCC® Joint Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia. The 2026 cohort includes Britney Butt, Shannon Handfield, Anna Tumchewics, Karen Campbell and Debra Johnston, each of whom bringing unique achievements and leadership to the Fellowship. Recently retired NSWOCC CEO Catherine Harley was also recognized as an Honorary NSWOCC Fellow for her more than two decades of leadership and service to the organization, tri-specialty and nursing community. These new fellows have made an impact across the many facets of wound, ostomy and continence nursing. Their contributions span direct clinical care, health-system leadership, nursing education, research, quality improvement, policy development and mentorship.

Britney Butt has contributed to clinical practice, education and program development, such as leading the creation of the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse program. Shannon Handfield has played an important role in advancing wound, ostomy and continence practice and provincial professional practice initiatives in British Columbia. Anna Tumchewics' career has included extensive work in rural, remote and northern communities, alongside volunteer leadership and nursing advocacy. Karen Campbell's contributions to wound care education and research have influenced practice nationally and internationally. Her extensive scholarship and leadership in areas including pressure injury prevention and skin health have helped shape evidence-informed care. Debra Johnston has spent more than 19 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Wound and Ostomy at Toronto General Hospital and has contributed to national standards, best practice recommendations, education and mentorship.

These fellows share a commitment to advancing the tri-specialty to improve the care of those living with wound, ostomy and continence needs. As a fellow they will continuing to advance the specialty as mentors, advisors, advocates and role models for the nursing community. This second cohort builds upon the foundation that was established by the inaugural fellows and strengthens a growing community of recognized leaders within the specialty. Given the increasing complexity of healthcare and our specialty, the experience provided by these fellows provides an invaluable resource for advancing evidence-informed practice, supporting the next generation of nurses specialized in wound, ostomy and continence, and strengthening the voice of our profession.

In recognizing its 2026 Fellows, NSWOCC celebrates the impact that specialized nurses can have on patients, families, our healthcare professional colleagues, the health systems in which we work and evidence which will shape our specialty in the years to come.