Celebrating Academic Excellence: Lawrence Cuevas Recognized as 2025 Unit Dux at Curtin University

We are proud to celebrate Lawrence Cuevas, M-AdvPrc–WOCNursing, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), GNC(C), one of the first Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs) to complete the Master of Advanced Practice (M-AdvPrc) in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing since Credit for Recognized Learning (CRL) became available to NSWOCs in March 2024.

Lawrence has been named 2025 Unit Dux for HEAL6002 – Health Research Professional Project by the Curtin School of Nursing, recognizing the highest academic achievement in the unit for the year. This outstanding accomplishment reflects Lawrence’s commitment to academic excellence and advancing evidence-informed practice in wound, ostomy and continence care.

Currently serving as an Academic Advisor with the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute and working as a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence, Lawrence continues to contribute to education, research, and clinical practice while supporting the professional growth of others across Canada.

Reflecting on this milestone, Lawrence shared:

“This achievement is due in part to the guidance and support of my research supervisors, Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc and Dr. Kevin Woo, as well as my unit coordinator, Dr. Huaqiong Zhou, whose mentorship during my master’s research study greatly contributed to my learning and success in this unit.”

While he won't be able to attend in-person, Lawrence will be formally recognized at the 2025 Curtin School of Nursing Celebration of Excellence, hosted by Curtin University, an event that honours academic distinction and leadership within the nursing profession.

A milestone for NSWOCs: the Master’s pathway launched in 2024

In 2024, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute launched a ground-breaking educational pathway, enabling graduates of the NSWOC® Program to apply for Credit for Recognized Learning (CRL) toward the Master of Advanced Practice (MC-ADVPRC) in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing at Curtin University.

Through this pathway, eligible NSWOCs can receive 100 credits for recognized learning, significantly reducing both the time to completion and overall cost of the degree. The innovative 12-month master’s program combines advanced clinical practice with applied research skills and culminates in a focused research project aligned with real-world health system priorities.

Curtin University is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide (ARWU).

Ready to take the next step?

Lawrence’s achievement highlights what is possible when advanced practice nurses build on their NSWOC® education through graduate-level study. If you are an NSWOC Program graduate, this pathway offers a meaningful opportunity to:

• Advance your clinical and research expertise

• Strengthen your leadership and academic credentials

• Contribute to evidence-informed practice at a systems level

We encourage eligible NSWOCs to explore this master’s pathway and consider applying.

Learn more about admission requirements, CRL, and the program structure at: https://www.wocinstitute.ca/master

Congratulations again to Lawrence Cuevas on this exceptional achievement—and for paving the way for future NSWOC scholars.