Dr. Dorothy J. Kergin was born, raised and educated in Prince Rupert, BC. Dr. Kergin was recognized nationally and internationally as an outstanding leader in expanding the role of nurses in primary care. Highly respected for her expertise, she was consulted by local, national and international organizations including the Aga Khan University, Pakistan, and the Canadian International Development Association (CIDA) for who she acted as consultant in the establishment
of university nursing education in Malawi.
Dorothy began her career as a public health and occupational health nurse in Princeton, Kitimat and Port Alberni, BC. Her outstanding teaching career at McMaster University resulted in her becoming Associate Dean of Health Science. In 1980, she accepted the appointment of Director, University of Victoria, School of Nursing.
Dr. Kergin had a profound impact on nursing education in Canada when, through distance education, the University of Victoria made baccalaureate nursing degree education available to registered nurses through BC and beyond.
Dorothy’s concern for students resulted in her establishing, with monies from her estate, the Dorothy Kergin Endowment Fund. This fund helps support faculty and student developement through the provision of student stipends, travel grants and funds for the purchase of needed supplies and equiptment. Recipients are selected on the quality of their proposals.
This year Jeannine Moreau, Wanda Martin and Coby Tschanz received funds from the Dorothy Kergin Endowment to support their research.
From the 2013 Fall Communiqué — History of Nursing
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