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NNPBC NP Council Bio

Alison Chesters

I've been a NP since 2013 and I have worked for FHA in several roles including cardiac services, primary care, and frail seniors. I recently was the local department head in White Rock South Surrey (WRSS) and I enjoyed working with a growing and skilled group of NP's. I have been the co chair for the education committee with the FHA NP department for the last 2 years developing educational and engagement opportunities for NP's. Furthermore, I have also participated in the WRSS Primary Care Network steering committee to help develop sustainable and accessible healthcare. More recently, my NP journey has led me to the BCCA where I will be joining their NP team in Systemic Therapy.

My passion for NP's in BC is to have full recognition of the capacity, value and dynamic care NPs play within our healthcare system. NP's are an integral part of BC’s healthcare system providing complex, evolving, and invaluable services.

As a NP Councillor at Large I will continue to bring forward the NP voice to help our profession progress forward.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Ashley Gueret

Hello, my name is Ashley Gueret. I am a family nurse practitioner living in Prince George. I graduated from Malaspina University College in Nanaimo in 2007 and started my nursing career in pediatrics at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital where I worked for 10 years in many aspects of pediatric care with children and youth of all ages. I obtained my Masters of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner degree from UNBC in 2017 and moved to Prince George in 2018. Since living in Prince George, I have worked in nearly every NP clinic in Prince George, including many of the outreach clinics, and established two of my own outreach clinics, while continuing to focus on children and youth mental health with a special interest in ADHD and women's health. I have recent experience acting as interim leadership for Northern Health and maintain an active role as clinical faculty for both UNBC in the department of nurse practitioners, and UBC in the department of family medicine, where I regularly participate in the mentorship and preceptorship of new NPs, as well as student NPs and MDs. I look forward to being an active participant in the NNPBC council and encourage all of my Northern colleagues to reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Cheryl Dussault

Hello, my name is Cheryl Dussault. I have been working in health care in many different capacities for over thirty years. I am a 2015 graduate of the UNBC MScN Nurse Practitioner Program. My practice has been in post-secondary health care clinics providing primary health care to students, staff and faculty. I also provide relief coverage at an industrial medical clinic providing primary and preventative health care.

I have had the opportunity to practice and live in several rural and remote communities in northern British Columbia throughout my nursing career. I have experienced first-hand the benefits, as well as the unique challenges of living and providing care in these communities. I am committed to representing the perspectives and needs of rural nurse practitioners.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Hope Schreiber

I started my nursing career at McMaster University in 1993 and worked for several years in maternal-newborn care. So many families were dealing with unintended pregnancies, which inspired me to become a NP so that I could be in a better position for health promotion and early intervention. I completed my family NP in 2000 at the University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio, and obtained a Women's Health Care NP post-Master's certificate from Planned Parenthood of Minnesota/South Dakota in 2003. Working with clients facing multiple barriers to health and health services has always been challenging and rewarding and I feel privileged to work with these communities. My career has taken me from substance use treatment research, to Planned Parenthood, to primary care for clients with HIV/AIDS, and then to an 11-year practice serving socially complex women, transgender people, and families. Since 2021 I've been the full-time locum for Island Health-employed primary care NPs in the South Island, and recently became a MAiD provider. I'm also a UVic OSCE examiner, member of the BCCNM OSCE content group, and health and safety representative for the Victoria Volleyball Association. In my non-working life, I'm the proud mother of a university-bound son and enjoy exploring this beautiful island with my dog Rosie.

I look forward to representing the NPs of Vancouver Island on the NNPBC NP Council and advancing the issues of locum coverage and low-threshold access to primary care services.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Jane Bazan

I feel very privileged to have been successful for the position of NNPBC NP Councillor for the Fraser region. Throughout my career as a Registered Nurse, and in my decision to pursue a career as an NP, I have always been passionate about the profession of nursing and how we can collaboratively work towards excellence in Nursing.

I have a strong desire to promote the profession of Nurse Practitioners in British Columbia and feel that being an advocate and voice for the NPs of Fraser Health, through my work on the council of the NNPBC, I will be able to achieve that. I am fair, open-minded, professional and an ally in the advancement of the role of NPs in British Columbia. I will work tirelessly to ensure that the concerns of the Fraser NPs are carried forward to NNPBC and that their voices are heard.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Jane Narayan

Jane Narayan received her Bachelor of Science- Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2007. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Nursing at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2010. As a Registered Nurse, she worked on acute medicine, cardiac surgery and cardiac ICU at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH).

Subsequently, she went on to complete the Masters of Nursing- Nurse Practitioner (NP) in 2017 at UBC. Since becoming an NP, she has practiced in various cardiac subspecialities including: Heart Failure, Cardio-Oncology, Cardiac Amyloidosis and Atrial Fibrillation. In 2018, she became a part of the planning and implementation of Axis Primary Care Clinic (PCC) located in Cloverdale, Surrey. This clinic opened in September 2020, is part of the Primary Care Network (PCN) and has increased access to quality primary care for British Columbians in keeping with the Ministry of Health's vision for primary care. Jane currently practices at the Cardiac Clinic at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) and Axis PCC.

Jane currently sits on the Board of Directors at Axis PCC and is an executive member of the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nursing (BC-Yukon Division). Additionally, she became an Adjunct Professor at the UBC School of Nursing in 2021. She is keen in knowledge translation and providing quality education to students and mentors.

As an NP, Jane is committed to clinical excellence, education, and leadership. She is committed to address NP concerns with integrity and transparency. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve on NNPBC Council and is looking forward to working collaboratively to move the NP profession forward.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Jodie Steer

Greetings, my name is Jodie Steer. Since starting my nursing career in 1997, I have had the privilege to practice in a variety of acute and community care settings including Critical Care and Public Health. Originally from Vancouver, I moved to Nelson in 2007 and graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2014. Initially working in private practice alongside a physician group, I then transitioned over to a Health Authority role specializing in mental health and substance use. This past summer I joined the NP led Waneta Primary Care clinic, a group practice that values shared care through collaboration with an outstanding group of PCN allied health care professionals.

I am excited to join as a new NNPBC NP Council member and for the opportunity to collaborate with Nurses and Nurse Practitioners from around the Province. I hope to bring a balanced rural perspective on current NP issues and am a passionate advocate for team based care and health equity.

In my personal life I enjoy nature and as a lifelong lover of learning, I enjoy trying new skills and sports that provide me with both exercise and often a good laugh.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Karen Sims

Writing this bio allowed me to reflect on my NP career of 15 1/2 years. In 2006 I registered with the college as one of the few NPs within the NP(Adult) designation. I initially worked in acute care then purposely made some changes to increase my depth of experience. While change can be daunting, I have been rewarded by working in acute care (6 years), primary care (5 years) and for the last four years in specialty care. My current role with the provincial Adult Bleeding Disorder Program at St. Paul's Hospital challenges all my skills with dynamic hospital based care, ambulatory care, chronic disease management, health promotion, and collaboration during transition of care.

My involvement in NP Association work began with BCNPA in 2005 while still a student. I was inspired by other NPs who stepped forward to lead. Over the years I held a potpourri of positions including chair for the membership committee (2008/2009), Secretary (2009-2012), in charge of the conference budget, treasurer (2015-2017) to name a few. I have witnessed the NP profession grow and felt proud as together NPs navigated challenges and opportunities; celebrated highs and brushed off lows.

My other committee work includes the Ministry NP4BC working group (2012-2014), CRNBC Standards committee (2008-2014), CRNBC peer assessor (2015-2017), OSCE standards committee (2014- current), and chair of the NP department Quality Committee both within Fraser Health and now Providence Health Care.

There is no doubt that challenges and opportunities will be ongoing as our profession continues to grow. However, if the history of NPs in British Columbia has proven anything it is that as a united profession challenges and opportunities are manageable. I am committed to the NP profession, listening and learning from the collective wisdom of the over 700 NPs in British Columbia, and ensuring that voice is heard and represented.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Laura Vicol

Laura is an accomplished NP leader and clinical practitioner, currently holding the NP Lead position at BC Children's & Women's Hospital overseeing a large NP professional practice portfolio and having a primary care practice in DTES. Laura is a member or chair of multiple internal and external leadership committees collaborating directly with a diverse group of leaders and provincial partners. She holds an Adjunct Professor role with University of British Columbia, and she is the Past President of the NP Council of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC. She currently holds the Ex-Officio seat with the NP Council.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Linda Yang

I am a UBC NP student and an RN in the NICU at BC Women's Hospital. I am thrilled to serve as a student councillor to bridge the connection between our association and NP students across the province. I believe that as students transition into future NPs, we need to work together with our nursing association to advance our profession and positively influence the healthcare system.

My passion for strengthening nursing engagement started in nursing school, where I was a co-chair for the CRNBC student group and a BCNU student liaison. As an RN, I was a union member educator, who educated members on their workplace rights and methods to resolve labour issues within the healthcare context. Now, I hope to utilize my past experiences to promote NP student engagement in clinical practice, education, research, and leadership.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Marjan Vizcaino

Marjan is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and joined the Thoracic Surgical team at Kelowna General Hospital in 2012. She has been in the healthcare field for more than 25 years and completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 2006, she returned to the University of Washington and earned a Master of Science and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree.

She has dedicated most of her clinical career to surgical and medical oncology. She has worked in leadership roles and clinical positions within surgical and medical teams.

Marjan has returned to school to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, with a dual emphasis on preventing, screening, and treating psychosocial health needs of patients with cancer and healthcare-system leadership. She is passionate about quality care and change that is patient-centered, innovative, culturally safe, efficient, and enhances health outcomes.

Marjan is a Clinical Instructor for the University of British Columbia Division of Thoracic Surgery and a member of Sigma Theta International Honor Society of Nursing.

This is an exciting time for NPs and I look forward to contributing to our professions progress.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Rebecca Irving

Hello, my name is Rebecca Irving (she/her/hers). I graduated from UNBC in 2018 as a Family Nurse Practitioner. For the last three years, I have worked in Prince George as an FNP with primarily Indigenous and underserved populations. I am passionate about providing quality primary health care to all levels of socioeconomic status and working to break down social barriers to health care services. I hope to bring a Northern perspective to NNPBC and provide insight into some of the physical, social, and political barriers experienced in the North. I look forward to learning some of the behind-the-scenes of NNPBC as I have admired the council's work thus far in promoting independent work opportunities for nurse practitioners. I grew up in Prince George and have found no reason to leave! I love the community and the easy access to the outdoors. In my free time, I like to bike, hike, run and ski. I recently did a therapy-dog-training course with my two-year-old lab, in hopes of one day bringing her to work with me, though her current energy levels have me thinking we are a few years away from that!

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Sarah Adair

I am a passionate clinician interested in NP advocacy. As one of the first NPs to sign with an independent contract on Vancouver Island my focus quickly turned to understanding the contracts and advocating for NPs by first assisting NNPBC to create info sheets to better guide NPs engaging with the new independent contracts. My position secured with the Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre afforded me the opportunity to take on a leadership position, as my colleagues and director noted my enthusiasm for NP advocacy. I currently sit on the Western Communities PCN Leadership Committee as the only NP assisting the community to delivery resources related to primary care. My intention is to ignite the fire in all other NPs on the island, and promote the development of NP roles while bringing a patient-focused lens to primary care in hopes to better the health of our growing communities.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Sukhwant Jassar

Sukhwant (Sukhi) Jassar obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011 from the University of Victoria and her Advanced Specialty Certificate from BCIT. She worked as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. She went on to complete the Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2016.

Sukhi has multiple interests and holds multiple NP roles. She currently works with the VCH Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) team where she assesses and provides patients with assisted dying as an end-of-life option and dying with dignity. She recently joined the FH MAiD team. Previously, Sukhi worked at the Raven Song Community Health Centre and Youth Detox in Vancouver where she provided primary care for patients with complex mental health conditions, substance-use disorders, and gender dysphoria. She translates this knowledge into her Primary Care Network (PCN) position while increasing access for vulnerable populations.

Sukhi is keen on knowledge translation. She actively mentors NP students in her family practice. She is an OSCE examiner and participates on the NNPBC conference planning committee. Sukhi will complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in July 2022 with a focus on enhancing knowledge and attitudes surrounding substance use disorders in the community.

Sukhi hears and understands concerns raised by both health authority and privately contracted NPs. She advocates for NPs equally and collectively. Sukhi's priorities are to assure NPs have a regular platform to discuss concerns, raise issues with our negotiating team and ministry, and promote transparency between the NNPBC council and all NPs.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Sydney Richardson-Carr

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) currently employed at the Kelowna and Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) as a contracted NP. I was born and raised in beautiful Prince Edward Island but made my way west, completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree with Distinction at the University of Alberta in 2012. After working as a nurse in cardiovascular intensive care, I wanted to shift into primary care, in order to focus on the other end of the health spectrum - health promotion and disease prevention. I moved to Kelowna in 2016 and went on to complete the Masters of Nursing, NP Program at the University of Victoria, graduating in 2018. I am currently returning from my first maternity leave and reprising my role as the NP-lead at the Vernon UPCC. I am excited to continue furthering the role of NPs in BC and supporting colleagues in practice. In my spare time, I enjoys hiking with my family, skiing, playing music, reading and generally enjoying the beautiful Okanagan.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Parveen Sangha

I completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BScN) from the University of Fraser Valley in 2008. Subsequently I worked as a Critical Care Registered Nurse in the Vancouver General Hospital Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) and Cardiac Investigation Unit. In 2017, I obtained a Master's of Science in Nursing (MScN) and completed the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at the University of Northern British Columbia.

From July 2017 until Dec 2019, I worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the Survivorship and Primary Care Program at the BC Cancer Agency. I completed the Introductory General Practitioner Oncology Course and provided survivorship and primary care to a population of patients with a wide range of cancer diagnoses including breast and lymphoma. Within this role, I gained exposure to all aspects of cancer care including palliative care, pain and symptom management, and monitoring for recurrences. In January 2020 I started a new role with the Primary Care Practice at Seymour Health Centre. I enjoy being a preceptor for UBC NP students and mentoring new primary care NPs.

In addition to the roles in Primary Care and Cancer Survivorship, I have also worked with the Vancouver Costal Health Medical Assistance in Death (MAiD) team over the last 3 years to assess and provide medically assisted death.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Tarah Reece

Ama sqit (Good day)! My name is Tarah Reece and I am an Indigenous Nurse Practitioner. I was born and raised in Victoria and my family is from Mount Currie, BC. I have been a Registered Nurse since 2007 and graduated from the University of Victoria in 2020 as a Family Nurse Practitioner. My position within Island Health provides primary health care to both urban and rural Indigenous peoples. I am extremely passionate about providing culturally safe, trauma informed, and inclusive care.

As an experienced RN and a recent NP graduate I continue to see patient, provider and allied health knowledge gaps and underutilization of the resources and health benefits that are available for the Indigenous population that we serve.

I believe the NP Indigenous Councillor position, provides the opportunity for greater provincial collaboration and advocacy to help improve some of the health disparities that many of our Indigenous patient's experience. Additionally, this position delivers leadership with the goal of a united voice for Indigenous NP's in BC.

I would like to extend a sincere Kukwstumckalap (Thank you) for your consideration of me for the NP Indigenous Councillor position.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Sarah Adair

My name is Sarah Adair, and I am one of the Island Councillors and I have been working in health care for 10 years. I started my journey as an RN on the surgical float team and continued my education through BCIT to become an emergency RN. I saw firsthand the need for primary care providers while working in the ED and decided to pursue ongoing education at UVic where I completed by Master’s in Nursing, graduating as a Nurse Practitioner.

I have always enjoyed continuing education, including learning about healthcare systems and politics. I was one of the first NPs to sign on to a PCN contract on Vancouver Island and assisted NNPBC in developing supports for PCN contracted NPs. I currently work at St. Anthony's Primary Care Clinic in Westshore, Victoria. Our clinic is NP lead and has afforded me the opportunity to take on leadership positions within our community. I am enthusiastic about NP advocacy and sit on the PCN operations committee, the NP council and I am currently the chair for the NNPBC conference committee who are planning the 2023 NP Conference which will take place in June 2023. My vision as an NP is to ignite the fire in other NPs so that we can collectively promote the development of our roles while bringing a patient-focused lens to primary care in hopes to better the health of our growing communities. On a personal note, you can catch my family of four (Connor, Coen and Cedar) skiing during the winter months or seeking out new adventures. I am grateful that Hope Schreiber joined the council this year, and it has been pleasure working with her on the island.

NNPBC NP Council Bio

Hope Schreiber

My name is Hope Schreiber and I am one of the Councillors for Vancouver Island. I grew up in Ontario and did my undergrad at McMaster. After working in labour and delivery for several years, I completed my family NP in 2000 at the University of Texas.

Continuing my commitment to women’s health, I did a Women’s Health Care NP post-Master’s certificate in 2003. My career has taken me from substance use treatment research, to Planned Parenthood, to primary care for clients with HIV/AIDS, and then to an 11-year practice serving socially complex women, transgender people, and families. Since 2021 I’ve been a full-time locum for Island Health-employed primary care NPs, and recently became a MAiD provider. In my non-working life, I enjoy exploring the incredible beauty that is Vancouver Island with my dog Rosie. I am very happy to be joining Sarah Adair to represent Island NPs on the NP Council!