01 Jun Every Child Matters
It is with a heavy heart that CAPWHN extends our deepest sympathy to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Residential School survivors, their families and community, all First Nations, their elders, chiefs, families and communities. We stand with our Indigenous colleagues in health-care, especially those of NACM and CINA to collectively mourn the discovery of the 215 sacred children’s remains and the agonizing memories that are triggered with this horrific discovery. Our shared empathy is strong for those experiencing the loss of these children who belonged to loving families and cherished communities.
Addressing structural and institutionalized racism and health disparities is critical to CAPWHN, its members and the people we care for. As an organization of perinatal and women’s health care providers, we continually strive to enhance our own capacity to influence change in health systems. The gravity of loss and trauma that the Indigenous communities of British Columbia and all of Canada are experiencing weighs heavily on us all.
Rita Assabgui is CAPWHN’s first full-time Executive Director and began her role in November 2011. Rita has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McGill University, a Certificate in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa, and obtained her Certified Association Executive (CAE) professional designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives in 2005.
Fabienne is currently the unit manager of the Obstetrical Suite at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, Alberta. She brings over 25 years’ experience as a high risk obstetrical nurse as well as management experience of over 6 years.
A long-time resident of Nova Scotia, Cathy Sheffer lives in Bedford, a small community within Halifax Regional Municipality. Cathy currently teaches in the School of Nursing at Dalhousie University. Her employment history encompasses professional nursing practice in various perinatal settings (birth unit, postpartum care, prenatal care, fetal assessment, nursing education). Cathy made the move to full-time academia in 1999. As a course professor with clinical responsibilities, she is able to maintain one foot within the practice world. As a perinatal specialist educating the nurses of tomorrow, Cathy is committed to providing access to cutting edge research and information that can ensure these novices are fully prepared to excel in their practice while caring for women, newborns, and their families.
Nancy studied at Dalhousie for both BSCN (1998), and MN (2010). She began her nursing career at the IWK Health Centre in pediatrics in roles on the Pediatric Medical Unit, and Recovery Room. During this time Nancy also worked a part time role in the Chief of Nursing office focusing on Nursing Practice and Policy within the IWK. Later after completing her Masters she began a role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Brain Injury and Rehabilitation. After 3 years as a CNS, Nancy was asked to complete an interim Operations Manager position for Rehabilitation Services. Following the term position, Nancy later accepted a position in Project management until she applied and was awarded a Management position with Prenatal Care Team and Inpatient Adult Surgery.
Jennifer is an advanced-practice nurse counsellor for the West Island of Montreal CIUSSS. Her mandate covers maternity care in both hospital and community settings as well as youth clinics and youth protection. Her interests in perinatal nursing encouraged her to pass her CNA certification exam and obtain her lactation consultant license in 2014 and to be part of the certification exam committee in 2017.
During her 40-year career as a Registered Nurse, Roxanne has seen huge changes in how women’s health, maternal and newborn care is provided; this is a result of passionate nursing leaders, organizations such as CAPWHN and through women advocating for care that places the woman and the family at the center of decision making. Roxanne feels that the core values of accountability, commitment, collaboration, leadership, advocacy, education and research are more important than ever.
Sharon is an RN with advanced degrees in Education (M Ed), Nursing and Psychology (PhD). She has practiced Women’s Health nursing in community and hospitals (post partum, L&D and antenatal units) as a staff nurse and educator. Most recently, Sharon has worked at Hamilton Health Sciences as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (Advance Practice Nurse) responsible for L&D, the high-risk clinic, and the ante/post partum and gynecology units. Sharon is an Associate Clinical Professor in graduate and undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing and in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology McMaster University with responsibilities for education for students in graduate and neonatal nurse practitioner programs, medical students and obstetrical residents.
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