Clinical Research Coordinator Wendy Weighell, RN, was recently honoured by the Canadian Chapter Society for Vascular Nursing (CCSVN) with the prestigious Marge Lovell Award for excellence in Vascular Nursing. The award was presented at the Chapter’s annual conference in Ottawa on Sept 25, 2009. Weighell received the award for “dedication to promoting awareness of Vascular disease and the specialty of vascular nursing”.
Weighell has worked as a vascular research coordinator at St. Boniface Hospital for 10 years. In partnership with Dr. Randy Guzman on many vascular research studies, she has been a champion for promoting vascular nursing within the province and local community. She initiated the Advances in Vascular Nurses Workshop in 2008, which helped provide education for nurses interested in enhancing their vascular nursing knowledge base. The success of the workshop helped local vascular nursing leaders recognize the need for further education in vascular nursing – thus turning the workshop into a successful annual event.
Weighell started the Manitoba CCSVN chapter in 2009, and is involved on the planning committee for national CCSVN conferences. Her knowledge base, insight, vision and dedication to educating all healthcare professionals, patients, families and the community on the importance of vascular disease, vascular nursing and overall vascular health were cited in her nomination for the award.
The award is named for Marge Lovell, the original founder of the local chapter at the London Health Sciences Centre and Canadian Chapter. She is a Past President of the international SVN and currently is chair of the international PAD Awareness Campaign.
The Canadian Chapter Society for Vascular Nursing was formed in 2000 to meet the needs of the Canadian Vascular Nurse. CCSVN is under the umbrella of The Society for Vascular Nursing an international organization dedicated to professionalism and excellence in practice.
CCSVN was incorporated in 2004.