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1970s
Kevin Peterson, BA’72, former Calgary Herald publisher, died of cancer on March 30, 2016. Former colleagues remember him as a “trailblazer,” “an incredibly gifted leader who tried really hard” and “an innovator who really cared about this organization and ensured it achieved excellence.” He was a fledgling reporter with obvious talent that propelled him quickly up the ladder to become one of the Herald’s youngest publishers at the age of 40.
Gabriel Yee, BSc’79, won the top prize of $10,000 at the second annual Big Rock Short Film Festival in June for his documentary Olga – An Arequipa Story. His five-minute film tells the heartwarming story of a Peruvian girl whose club foot is treated by volunteers from the Medical Ministry International Canada.
We honour Judy Hanson!
Longtime alumni volunteer finally reaps rewards
2016 has been Judy Hanson’s BA’77, BN’79, MN’83, year. In the first six months, she was one of only 100 RNs in Alberta to receive a CARNA Centennial Award, designed to celebrate 100 years of registered nursing in Alberta, and she received the Covenant Health Faculty of Nursing inaugural Exceptional Alumnus Award.
The truth is that it is long overdue. An acknowledged nursing leader, Hanson has worked diligently in support of the University of Calgary, the Faculty of Nursing and the nursing profession for many years. She has had a full and productive career, spanning fifty years and including roles as the director of nursing for the Medical Surgical Inpatient Units at Foothills Medical Centre; the Director of Patient Care for Medical Inpatient and Home Care Programs; and Director of QIHI, Performance Measurement and Clinical Contract Services.
In the ‘90s she was instrumental in the successful transition from stand-alone hospital-based administration to the Calgary Health Region.
As a leader during that time of fiscal challenges and increasingly complex patient care, she weathered the 1988 nursing strike and, on the first day back to work following the strike, awoke early on a Saturday morning to welcome RNs back to work, ensuring they knew they were appreciated and respected.
As a proud alumna and adjunct faculty member, Judy served as president of the Faculty of Nursing Alumni Committee from 2005 to 2010 and is still an active committee member, organizing the annual silent auction and luncheon each year at Calgary’s Winter Club.
“In Judy, I see a nurse who has never lost her passion for the profession,” says Kate Wong BN’12, current co-president of the Alumni Committee. “As a nurse from one period of time who acts as a mentor to new graduates, Judy recognizes similarities between the generations, not the differences.
She understands what we have to offer each other and how we can work together to provide the best possible patient care.
“I have met some of the most stimulating, accomplished and impressive nurses in the province, but Judy tops my list as the most inspirational.” U