2021 Scholarship and Award Recipients

Joslin Mamuric

Congratulations to Joslin Mamuric, recipient of the RPNF’s 2021 Kay Armstrong Scholarship (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University). Joslin is a 4th-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program at Brandon University. Joslin’s employment and volunteer experiences have provided diverse opportunities to apply Psychiatric Nursing skills. Joslin plans to pursue graduate studies in rural health with a focus on health of the BIPOC population, promoting a more inclusive health care system, reflective of the needs of current society.

Leanne Milne

Congratulations to Leanne Milne, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2021 Kay Armstrong (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University) and the Annette Thorimbert Osted (National scholarship awarded to a 3rd or 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled in a baccalaureate psychiatric nursing education program in Canada) Scholarships. Leanne is a 4th-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program at Brandon University, working at in-home healthcare, and volunteering with numerous community organizations. Leanne plans to pursue employment in acute care and corrections, with specific attention to the system’s impact upon individuals with mental illness. Leanne ultimately plans to complete graduate studies in psychiatric nursing.

Keisha-Mae Kaddu

Congratulations to Keisha-Mae Kaddu, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2021 Kay Armstrong (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University) and the Annette Thorimbert Osted (National scholarship awarded to a 3rd or 4th year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled in a baccalaureate psychiatric nursing education program in Canada) Scholarships. Keisha-Mae Kaddu is a 4th-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program at Brandon University. Employment experience with the Department of Canadian Heritage and volunteer work in the sporting community have contributed to Keisha-Mae’s perspectives on Psychiatric Nursing. Future plans include work with diverse populations and to pursue graduate studies.

Katherine Pachkowski

Congratulations to Katherine Pachkowski, recipient of both the RPNF’s 2021 Alex Crawford (National scholarship awarded to a graduate psychiatric nurse, registered in Canada who is pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level) and Alf Barnett (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a Manitoba psychiatric nurse pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level) Scholarships. Katherine’s doctoral research focuses on examining the nexus of issues underlying non-criminal exploitation of persons with enduring mental illness. The study seeks to define noncriminal exploitation experienced by people with mental illness and explore roles and obligations of mental health workers encountering this exploitation. Katherine also hopes this research will further increase the profession’s awareness of how mental health providers may unintentionally reinforce discourses which marginalize people with lived experience of mental illness.

Evana Popovich

Congratulations to Evana Popovich, recipient of the John Kellie Scholarship (Manitoba scholarship awarded to a 3rd year student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University). Evana is a 3rd- year student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Program, whose work and volunteer history in various capacities in the health care system have provided valuable opportunities to apply psychiatric nursing skills. Evana plans to seek employment with the elderly upon graduation and pursue the Master of Psychiatric Nursing Program in the future.

Laura Panteluk

Congratulations to Laura Panteluk, recipient of the RPNF’s 2021 Alex Crawford Scholarship (National scholarship awarded to a graduate psychiatric nurse, registered in Canada who is pursuing relevant studies at a masters or doctoral level). Laura’s graduate level qualitative exploratory research study examines nurse manager stress and coping, investigating how Manitoba’s nurse managers deal with stress experienced in their roles, exploring the factors that help and hinder coping. The study contributes to literature in this area and offers participants the opportunity to identify methods used to deal with that stress.

Chief Karen Batson

Chief Karen Batson is recipient of the 2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Leadership. Chief Batson graduated in 1987 and has always been conscientious and a hard worker. Her leadership, dedication and easy going manner are positive qualities that are admired by others. She currently serves as elected Chief of her Indigenous Community of Pine Creek, Manitoba, where she was raised. Chief Batson has worked tirelessly as leader of a community with many very serious challenges. Strong leadership skills and great courage have been essential assets for Chief Batson as she has navigated a range of challenges while improving the quality of life for her community. Financial self management was restored in the first two years of Chief Batson’s leadership tenure. She aggressively negotiated major highway repairs with the Province, ensuring safe access to her community as well as acquiring federal funding for mental health initiatives such as the planning, development and building of a youth program centre with a multidisciplinary staff, through “Jordan’s Principle”. Additional accomplishments include training, development, and equipment for safety and security needs. Chief Batson also facilitated the reopening of local businesses and services that had previously been closed, ensuring renewed access to a range of goods and services for constituents. Under her leadership, housing expansion of 33 new modular homes, the construction of a multi unit Elders Residence, Arena expansion, and other new building projects for Pine Creek are underway. In addition, 5G internet cable is currently approved and being trenched toward the Community, earmarked as a youth initiative protect for 2021. Formerly, Chief Batson worked as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University (a position being held by Brandon University for her should she decide to return) developing a necessary skill set in forming Indigenous Mental Health Professionals. Chief Batson is an active participant in the Southern Chiefs Organization of Manitoba. In 2018, Chief Batson was a speaker at the United Nations in New York regarding the impoverished conditions of many First Nations people in Canada. In 2019 she received an Award of Recognition in the Manitoba Legislature for leadership in the advancement of Indigenous issues. In 2020 she was an Indigenous Representative to Cuba to explore links and the development of health care initiatives in a Canadian context. Karen is a dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She has consistently embraced her many challenges with great enthusiasm, devotion and energy. The Nominators note that the above is not an exhaustive list of achievements. Nominated by Daryle Duke and George Olfert.

Rodney Jones

Rodney Jones is a recipient of the 2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Leadership. Rodney has been an RPN for over 31 years in western Manitoba.  He has worked in a variety of settings but mainly with children and adolescents in community mental health and now as the Client Care Coordinator of the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at the Child and Adolescent Treatment Centre in Brandon.  Rod was also the coordinator for the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program and has worked in acute care settings as he is also a Registered Nurse.
His clinical skills are exemplary and he always strives and models enhanced engagement, collaboration and problem solving with the staff of the CSU. Rod communicates well which is important in leading and managing the coordination of client needs.  He has made positive changes and improvements and motivates others to be creative and forward thinking.
Rod is committed to mentoring and training psychiatric nurses and is passionate about quality care.  He is a valued team member who always takes the time to listen, provide helpful feedback and move forward in innovative ways. Nominated by Jill Brown and Chris Bromley.

Kyla Johnston

Kyla Johnston is recipient of the 2021 RPNF Award of Excellence for Clinical Practice. Kyla is co-founder of DBT Winnipeg and The Mental Health Collective Inc., working in independent practice. “Kyla developed intervention strategies to take a family member from being severely at risk, to enjoying a life where they continue to strive for acceptance and happiness, directly because of her involvement. She only took a 4 month leave after becoming a parent, not to leave her patients for too long. Her positive delivery and ability to assist our family member with maintaining the critical support they need to face every day through this socially restrictive pandemic has been top notch, professional and patient.

Kyla has empowered our family member through practice of Dialectal Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She has been a committed member of their team for almost 4 years now, without whom I know they would be suffering. She demonstrates an exemplary commitment to ethical practice”. Nominated by the Pepper Family.