Celebrating Excellence in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care at the WCET®-NSWOCC® Joint Congress 2026

One of the most meaningful moments of the WCET®-NSWOCC® Joint Congress 2026 in Vancouver was the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding students, clinicians, leaders, and emerging professionals helping shape the future of wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) care across Canada and beyond.

During the NSWOCC Annual Members Meeting and the Congress Gala, the WOC Institute proudly presented the 2025–2026 awards and scholarships to an incredible group of recipients whose dedication, leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to patient care continue to inspire our community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients:

• Alyson Black — Biomiq Academic Achievement Award for the SWAN Program

• Kirstin Epp — Coloplast Clinical Achievement Award in Continence Care

• Ellyse Almeida — Emerging Leaders Award: 2SLGBTQIA+ Nurses Award

• Omowumi Ajibola — Emerging Leaders Award: Black Nurses Award

• Lucy Njoroge — Emerging Leaders Award: Nurses of Colour Award

• Chloe Skinner — Hollister Clinical Achievement Award for the SWAN Program

• Mairead Davidson — Hollister Clinical Achievement Award in Ostomy Care

• Lawrence Cuevas — Hollister NSWOC Academic Award for Post-Graduate Studies

• Nathalie Godin — McKin Health NSWOC Trailblazer Award

• Holly Caliou — Medline Indigenous Award

• Cassidy West — Mölnlycke Health Care Highest Achievement Award for the NSWOC Program

• Kathleen Board — Mölnlycke Health Care Highest Achievement Award for the SWAN Program

• Angela Overdulve — Mölnlycke Health Care Indigenous Award

• Nathalie Godin and Georgela Rasadu — Ostomy Canada Society’s NSWOC Program Award

• Nabil Osseile and Maude Hétu-Valiquette — Smith+Nephew Clinical Achievement Award in Wound Care

• Mariah Gendermann — Urgo Medical Canada Academic Achievement Award for the NSWOC Program

• Frederick Humphrey — Urgo Medical Canada Academic Achievement Award for the SWAN Program

• Stephanie Verseveldt — Vancouver United Ostomy Association NSWOC Award

• Candace Clairmont — Vancouver United Ostomy Association SWAN Award

These awards are made possible through the extraordinary support of our sponsors and partners, whose investment in education and professional growth helps strengthen the future of specialized wound, ostomy and continence nursing in communities across Canada.

We were also delighted to announce an exciting new opportunity beginning in 2027. With the generous support of the Vancouver United Ostomy Association, the new Vancouver United Ostomy Association Entrance Scholarship for the NSWOC Program will be awarded next year. We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to supporting accessible NSWOC education and helping future clinicians pursue specialized practice in wound, ostomy and continence care.

It is impossible to speak about these achievements and the growth of the WOC Institute and NSWOCC more broadly without recognizing the remarkable leadership of Cathy Harley over the past 22 years. Cathy has been a mentor, advocate, colleague, and friend to so many within the NSWOCC community, including NSWOCs, SWANs, volunteers, students, and industry partners alike.

During Congress, Corey Heerschap (Outgoing NSWOCC President) and Bev Smith (Incoming NSWOCC President) proudly announced that the NSWOCC Board of Directors has approved the creation of the Catherine Harley Leadership Legacy Award. This new scholarship and recognition opportunity will honour members who demonstrate exceptional leadership within the wound, ostomy and continence specialty and will continue Cathy’s incredible legacy of mentorship and service for years to come.

We congratulate Cathy on her well-earned retirement and thank her for the immeasurable impact she has had on NSWOCC, the WOC Institute, and the countless healthcare professionals and patients whose lives have been touched through her leadership.

To view photos from the awards presentations and Congress celebrations, please visit the official photo album: WCET-NSWOCC Joint Congress 2026 Photo Album

Congratulations once again to all recipients, and thank you to everyone who continues to advance excellence in wound, ostomy and continence care.