NORTH BAY – Surrounded by her peers and celebrated by leadership, Jenny Ryan, RN, Emergency Department, was announced and presented as the 2023 Leslie Burt-Manary RN Leadership Award recipient.
This special award honours Leslie Burt-Manary, a dedicated nurse who died of cancer in 2017. To celebrate Leslie’s life, her mother established an endowment fund, and award as a lasting legacy to celebrate nursing leadership, which provides an annual grant for professional development. This year, Jenny Ryan, RN, Emergency Department is the honoured recipient
Jenny is a leader and role model for other nurses. Through her practice, she continuously demonstrates the who, how, what and why of the competent and compassionate nurse. While Jenny has taken on many formal and informal leadership roles (from Unit lead to training new hires), she effortlessly collaborates with multidisciplinary teams.
An employee of NBRHC for more than twenty years, during the last 10 years, Jenny has completed her BSCN RN, as well as the necessary studies and training to excel in several departments that require extensive and specialized training. This includes the Emergency Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Birthing Unit. Jenny has invested time and effort to improve her knowledge, skills and judgment to provide expert care for patients across the lifespan.
Moreover Jenny’s ability to nurse and meet the medical needs of all individuals, from infant to geriatric, in a variety of clinical settings exemplifies NBRHC high standards of care. Jenny demonstrates a constant commitment to her work and cares deeply about the healing experience at North Bay Regional Health Center. Jenny inspires patients to be their best, and helps them affirm their value and find meaning at their most vulnerable time.
In May 2022, Jenny volunteered, travelling to the Ukraine-Poland boarder to care for displaced patients fleeing the Russian war. Jenny’s comment: “The Ukrainian people need our help”, and if the Russian aggression escalates, she would be willing to go back and help. Jenny proudly represented the NBRHC during her efforts and demonstrated the Institutions values and mission on a world stage.
Jenny finds value in all members of the team, which helps individuals and the group develop expertise and confidence in their abilities. While Jenny empowers others and calls attention to success, for both the individual nurse and the clinical group, she exhibits pride, authenticity and humility.
“This award is a significant part of our celebration of Nurses Week. It highlights the qualities of nurses, their knowledge, skills, compassion and dedication to patient care, no matter what circumstances they are facing. Congratulations to Jenny and best wishes as we celebrate her achievement and Nurses week,” shared Joanne Laplante, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, NBRHC.
Leslie Burt-Manary was born in France in 1959, and graduated from Canadore College in North Bay as a Registered Nurse in 1979. She began working at the former Civic Hospital in 1987 and continued her career with NBRHC.
“Leslie loved being a nurse and often said, ‘It’s not just what I do, it’s who I am.’ Leslie had a positive outlook on life, and shared her cancer experience on social media in hopes of demystifying the journey and helping others. Her sense of humour and self-deprecating wit stayed with her throughout her illness,” said her mother, Pauline Burt.
“The endowment fund and bursary is a meaningful way to remember the impact Leslie had in motivating others to continue their education and aspire to become the best nurses they could be,” said Tammy Morison, President and CEO, NBRHC Foundation. “In 2018, the endowment fund was seeded with a donation from Mrs. Burt. We intend to continue to build the fund and are pleased Leslie Burt-Manary Endowment Fund annual grant will now be sustained, grown and funded through interest,” she added.
Photo:
Jenny Ryan, RN ER, Award Recipient, Pauline Burt, Leslie Burt-Manary’s Mother
Joanne Laplante, VP Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive, Jenny Ryan, RN ER, Award Recipient, Pauline Burt, Leslie Burt-Manary’s Mother, Tammy Morison, President & CEO, NBRHC Foundation
Dr. Lisa Harman, Medical Director, Emergency Department, Nick McMillan, RN, Nolan McMillan, Jenny Ryan, RN ER, Award Recipient, Pauline Burt, Leslie Burt-Manary’s Mother