Humber People

Martina Panfili

Humber BN student wins Jennifer Award for outstanding potential and contributions in field

Martina Panfili, who is entering the fourth year of the collaborative University of New Brunswick-Humber Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree program in September, 2004, has received the Jennifer Award ($4,000) from the Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario. The award is given to Baccalaureate nursing students who have demonstrated outstanding potential and contributions to the fields of child and family, oncological or mental health nursing.

Described by one of her clinical placement professors as a “hard-working, enthusiastic student who has a great passion for nursing”, Martina has experienced diverse clinical placements in her three years as a BN student, supporting her goals of working with vulnerable populations at the community or public health level and contributing to this practice area through research, patient advocacy and policy development.

Her placement at the in-patient psychiatric unit of Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network included clinical time off-site at a drug-detoxification centre for pregnant and homeless women and a community-run clubhouse for people with mental illnesses. In another clinical placement, Martina was involved in a research study aimed at determining if caregivers of residents with dementia in long-term-care facilities knew of, or were satisfied with, the community resources available to them.

“Ultimately, I would like to serve vulnerable, stigmatized populations including homeless people, those with mental illnesses or even those experiencing acute crisis. As a community-based nurse, my role would encompass being an educator, counselor, role model and clinician. My aim is to empower others to make informed decisions and effectively advocate for themselves.” says Martina. “Pursuing this field of nursing enables me to respect diversity and strive to provide culturally and ethically sensitive care to all communities, preserving dignity.”

A volunteer with the United Way’s Parent-Infant Support Program, Martina provides support through weekly home visits to new parents coping with issues such as stress, exhaustion or post-partum depression. As a member of the Community Health Nurses Interest Group of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Martina co-ordinated and chaired a teleconference with six nursing students throughout Ontario on student views of current curriculum in community health. Martina, who has a BSc from York University, works part-time in administration for the Victorian Order of Nurses, a national organization that delivers local community health care programs and services.

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