Student awards aim to support greater equity, diversity and inclusion in nursing; meet the 2023/24 recipients

Anne Ekere

"My name is Nsikanabasi Ekere (Anne) and I was a SickKids Black Nursing Student Award recipient for my final consolidation semester.

As a Black nursing student at the time, I was extremely aware of the health disparities that existed in our society, particularly for marginalized communities and I was dedicated to addressing these disparities through culturally sensitive, culturally safe, and equitable care. I believe that my experiences as a member of a historically marginalized group allowed me to bring a unique perspective to my practice and contributed to a more inclusive healthcare system.

I felt very privileged to be the recipient of this award as I believed that was an opportunity for me to progress onwards in my journey to becoming a pediatric acute care nurse.

Working at SickKids allowed for heartwarming interactions that could truly brighten your day. Whether it was seeing a child's smile after helping them feel better, or witnessing their resilience in the face of illness, or a child taking their first steps after surgery or reaching a developmental milestone, these moments were incredibly rewarding and inspiring.

At SickKids, even small victories and milestones could be cause for celebration.

This SickKids placement offered numerous opportunities for inspiration, from heartwarming patient interactions to innovative treatment approaches. These experiences motivated me to continue providing compassionate and effective care to paediatric patients and their families."