Award Description
To support a registrant of CNO (RPN, RN or NP) who is pursuing further education. Applicants must demonstrate a focus on supporting processes or change initiatives that have a significant impact on safe nursing care. Preference will be given to applicants demonstrating experience and/or interest in Nursing Regulation, Practice Standards, or Continuing Competence and Quality Assurance. Nurses who integrate the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure culturally safe practice; who demonstrate a focus on continuous quality improvement and patient safety in their practice; and who demonstrate use of evidence to prevent harm and improve patient safety are encouraged to apply.
Origin
The Anne L. Coghlan Scholarship was initiated by her colleagues on her retirement from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) after 22 years of service as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. The award recognizes Anne’s exceptional leadership contributions and continues her legacy of promoting safe nursing practice.
Honoree Background
As CNO’s Executive Director and CEO, Anne made significant contributions to health care regulation provincially, nationally, and internationally. The public interest and preventing patient harm were foundational to the work she led. As patient expectations evolved over the years, she challenged CNO to be transparent and innovative to best meet patient safety needs. Collaborating with stakeholders was a key priority, resulting in significant system impact.
More Information about Anne
Anne began her professional nursing career at The Hospital for Sick Children as a Staff Nurse, Team Leader and Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. After 11 years at Sick Kids, she made significant contributions at Markham Stouffville Hospital as Director, Professional Practice and Chief of Nursing Practice. She then brought her passion for quality nursing care to her consultant role with a major firm, advising on local and national health care transformation. Her initial career was foundational in terms of the knowledge and experience she brought to lead and challenge CNO.
While serving as Executive Director and CEO, Anne made an impact on broader regulatory and health care systems. For example, she was a founding member of the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators and Ontario’s Advisory Group for Regulatory Excellence. She served as President and Board Member for several health care and regulatory organizations across Ontario and Canada. Her international contributions included leadership positions with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and the International Nurse Regulator Collaborative. Anne’s volunteer roles include the Editorial Advisory Board for the Journal of Nursing Regulation and the International Center for Regulatory Scholarship Advisory Group.
