Gail Brimbecom, a former Durham College School of Health and Community Services professor, is among 100 Canadian nurses to be recognized by the Canadian Nurses Association for outstanding contributions to nursing.
A former Durham College Faculty of Health and Community Services professor will receive a Centennial Award from the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). Gail Brimbecom is one of 100 Canadian nurses chosen to be honoured for her contributions to nursing, as part of CNA's centennial year celebration. Every 100 in 100 Award recipient significantly impacted the nursing profession in Canada.
"I've received awards and every time it happens, I continue to be surprised because what I do comes natural to me and I don't expect recognition for it," said Brimbecom.
A Durham College professor for 17 years, Brimbecom retired in 1998 to devote herself to a pilot parish nursing program at Westminster United Church in Whitby. Her efforts in the project led to a nationwide parish nursing movement.
"My time at Durham College has been very foundational to where I am now," she said. "I loved it."
Brimbecom taught students the importance of well-being and disease prevention. She advises students pursuing health-care careers to consider the aging generation and have communities focus on staying well.
Brimbecom is still very much a part of the campus community, keeping her own health in check by exercising two times a week at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.
Brimbecom has no plans to retire either, as she continues to be part of the evolution and development of parish nursing in Canada. She is the current national education director for InterChurch Health Ministries, which focuses on people's needs for wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
"I'm not thinking I have to stop now because I've done enough," she said.
Among her other awards, Brimbecom also received the RNAO President's Award for Leadership in Clinical Nursing Practice in 2005, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Emmanuel College in 2006.