St. Barnabas Parish Nurse Bio
I feel blessed to be the volunteer Parish Nurse at St. Barnabas! I am passionate about helping people improve their health, whether they have a chronic or acute health condition. My particular interest is preventing and managing health conditions no matter where a person is on their health journey. I am also passionate about patient advocacy, especially when a person is hospitalized. I acknowledge the significance of spiritual health as a critical component of holistic health.
After graduating as an RN from Ryerson (now Metropolitan Toronto University), I worked in general internal medicine, obstetrics, and psychiatry. I am a certified Occupational Health Nurse with experience developing and delivering health promotion/education programs. I have liaised between the employer and public health, personal health providers, and the community. Working in Occupational Health in various public and private sector organizations has allowed me to meet many people with diverse backgrounds and needs/goals. Collaboration with many people has been an essential aspect of my nursing practice.
My parish nursing journey began at the Church of the Incarnation, where for several years, I had the privilege of working with mostly older adults, finding and implementing strategies that improved their health through health counseling, health promotion events, workshops, home/hospital visits, and fitness classes. I have completed the Parish Nursing Education program through ICHM.
As a lifelong learner, I recently earned an advanced nursing degree in education and am currently enrolled in another advanced nursing program. In my free time, I take ballet classes (are there any balletomanes in the parish?), and I enjoy walking through Toronto's neighborhoods (Bloor West, Beaches, Riverdale). Is anyone interested in working with me to start a walking group? I also like to read English literature (other than nursing textbooks). How about a book club?
I agree that "parish nursing is a ministry of the congregation, not of the individual performing the ministry" (Deborah Patterson). Parish Nurses "walk alongside" (Caiger) a person during experiences of joy and challenges. Please contact me with your questions and/concerns or comments. I look forward to meeting everyone!
Marilyn Pepper RN, BA, BSN, MSN, COHN-S/CM, Dip. Parish Nursing
After graduating as an RN from Ryerson (now Metropolitan Toronto University), I worked in general internal medicine, obstetrics, and psychiatry. I am a certified Occupational Health Nurse with experience developing and delivering health promotion/education programs. I have liaised between the employer and public health, personal health providers, and the community. Working in Occupational Health in various public and private sector organizations has allowed me to meet many people with diverse backgrounds and needs/goals. Collaboration with many people has been an essential aspect of my nursing practice.
My parish nursing journey began at the Church of the Incarnation, where for several years, I had the privilege of working with mostly older adults, finding and implementing strategies that improved their health through health counseling, health promotion events, workshops, home/hospital visits, and fitness classes. I have completed the Parish Nursing Education program through ICHM.
As a lifelong learner, I recently earned an advanced nursing degree in education and am currently enrolled in another advanced nursing program. In my free time, I take ballet classes (are there any balletomanes in the parish?), and I enjoy walking through Toronto's neighborhoods (Bloor West, Beaches, Riverdale). Is anyone interested in working with me to start a walking group? I also like to read English literature (other than nursing textbooks). How about a book club?
I agree that "parish nursing is a ministry of the congregation, not of the individual performing the ministry" (Deborah Patterson). Parish Nurses "walk alongside" (Caiger) a person during experiences of joy and challenges. Please contact me with your questions and/concerns or comments. I look forward to meeting everyone!
Marilyn Pepper RN, BA, BSN, MSN, COHN-S/CM, Dip. Parish Nursing
