I would like to nominate Miriam Cook, RN BN as a Nursing Hero who goes above and beyond. Miriam is an Instructor with the SE Health First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program’s Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program. The SE Health First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program’s Personal Support Worker Program provides certified PSW training through the SE Career College of Health to Indigenous students throughout Ontario. Miriam is from Slate Falls First Nation in Northwestern Ontario and has worked in a number of nursing roles in several First Nation communities in Ontario and is keenly aware of the need for certified PSWs in First Nation communities.

Miriam more than an instructor; Miriam is a positive role model and a mentor for her Indigenous students. Miriam understands the strengths and struggles of the Indigenous students and Miriam always goes above and beyond to be that positive role model and educator to the students. Miriam understands that the graduates from the SE Health First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program’s PSW Program make a huge impact in improving the health of an Indigenous community. Every certified PSW that Miriam educates has the skills and abilities to provide a real impact with care in the PSW’s community. Miriam understands by being a positive role model and mentor not only to students but in Indigenous communities she provides the opportunity for more Indigenous people to make health care a career path.

Traveling by vehicle, boat, airplane and on ice roads Miriam provides high quality, culturally safe, PSW education to Indigenous students wherever the students live. That is a real commitment to Indigenous people, Indigenous health and to making an impact. Miriam Cook is a Nursing Hero!

Nominated by: Daniel Wiebe R.N., MBA, Director SE Health First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program