de Souza Institute Celebrates a Nursing Leader in Mississauga
Mississauga, Ontario – Today, the de Souza Institute and the Integrated Cancer Program at Trillium Health Partners celebrate the achievements of Registered Nurse, Lorminia Realeza on becoming the first nurse at Trillium Health Partners to obtain an oncology nursing designation known as the de Souza Nurse Designation. The de Souza Institute is an innovative learning centre dedicated to cancer care excellence and since 2008 has provided ongoing educational support and career counseling to more than 6,000 nurses.
In order to achieve the de Souza Nurse Designation, nurses must successfully complete a series of courses and conduct a clinical fellowship.
“It is always an incredible achievement to be the first, and Lorminia is an exceptional nurse with tremendous leadership skills and an ability to motivate others.” said Dr. Mary Jane Esplen, Director of de Souza Institute. “Being the first de Souza Nurse at the Mississauga Hospital is a great accomplishment. The community and patients are fortunate to have a champion like Lorminia on their side who is committed to delivering excellence in cancer care.”
“Oncology nursing is nursing with your head and your heart. I take pride in the fact that I can be present at the bedside and mentor my colleagues” said Lorminia. “I believe that an oncology nurse is an advocate for the patients and their families, we are the beacon of light that guides them along their cancer care journey.”
The demand for nurses with specialized skills in cancer care is continuing to grow. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 2 in 5 Canadians will develop cancer within their lifetime and 1 in 4 Canadians will die of cancer.
Trillium Health Partners and organizations like de Souza Institute are focused on improving the cancer care experience for patients and families by ensuring they have access to quality information and the best cancer care nurses.
“We are extremely proud of Lorminia’s accomplishment,” says Dr. Craig McFadyen, Chief and Medical Director, Oncology at Trillium Health Partners and Regional Vice-President of the Mississauga Halton/Central West Regional Cancer Program. “The highly skilled and dedicated staff in the Cancer Program allows us to provide some of the best cancer care services in the Mississauaga Halton/Central West Region.”
To learn more about de Souza Institute visit www.desouzainstitute.com
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About Trillium Health Partners Cancer Program:
Trillium Health Partners is one of the largest community-based acute care facilities in Canada. The Cancer Program is located at the Carlo Fidani Regional Cancer Centre, Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital and the Betty and Buster Lockwood Cancer Detection and Treatment Centre, Queensway Health Centre. Trillium Health Partners serves the growing and diverse populations of Mississauga, West Toronto and surrounding communities and is the administrative lead for the Mississauga Halton/Central West Regional Cancer Program.
About the Mississauga Halton/Central West Regional Cancer Program
The Mississauga Halton/Central West (MHCW) Regional Cancer Program oversees the delivery and quality of cancer services for residents of both the Mississauga Halton and Central West regions which includes Brampton, Bolton, Caledon, Dufferin County, Halton Hills, Malton, Mississauga, Milton, Oakville, Rexdale, Shelburne, South Etobicoke, and Woodbridge.
About de Souza Institute
Established in 2008, de Souza Institute in partnership University Health Network, Cancer Care Ontario and funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, provides ongoing educational support, professional development and career counseling to nurses caring for cancer patients and families.
de Souza Institute is providing cancer care excellence by: delivering innovative continuing education and mentorship programs; helping nurses to achieve national specialty certification; funding graduate scholarships to develop tomorrow’s leaders, and supporting in self-care and career development.
Contact Information:
Deyan Kostovski
416-417-8566
deyan.kostovski@desouzainstitute.com
Priya Ramsingh
416-880-8781
Priya.Ramsingh@trilliumhealthpartners.ca