Former dean reflects on career and seven years at College of Nursing
The College of Nursing held an emotional farewell celebration in honour of Dr. Netha Dyck at Marshall MacLuhan Hall on January 15.
Over 140 people attended the event, some travelling in from Saskatchewan and Northern Manitoba.
Dyck, a UM nursing alumna who grew up in Winkler, Man., was dean of the College of Nursing for the last seven years. Her term ended Jan. 31.
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences dean Dr. Peter Nickerson hosted the celebration. He thanked Dyck for her leadership over the years, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and the expanding the bachelor of nursing program to address the province’s nursing shortage.
“Dr. Dyck leaves behind a legacy of tireless commitment to her faculty, staff and students. She has always been there to support them and champion their successes along the way,” Nickerson said.
Other speakers included UM President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Michael Benarroch, Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President, and Dr. Nicole Harder, associate dean, undergraduate programs at the College of Nursing and Mindermar professor in Human Simulation, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
Prior to returning to UM in 2018, Dyck spent almost 13 years as dean of the School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She was also director of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s personal care home program from 1998 to 2005.
During her tenure at UM, she was recognized with numerous awards and honours including Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award: Executive Leader, by the Women’s Executive Network in November 2022.
“Serving as dean of the College of Nursing has been an immense honour, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such an amazing team of exceptional leaders, faculty and staff,” Dyck said.
She reflected on the five decades of her career and last seven years at the College of Nurisng, thanking colleagues, family and mentors for their support. She also spoke about the optimism she has for the future of nursing and nursing education.
“The work we’ve done to address the shortage of registered nurses, nurse practitioners and registered midwives, and to enhance the quality of education, will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of health care for years to come. And, no doubt, you will continue to push the boundaries of innovation in nursing education and research,” she said.
“I have full confidence that the leadership of the College of Nursing is in excellent hands and extend my best wishes to my esteemed successor, Dr. Kellie Thiessen. I’m excited to see the next chapter unfold and the new heights the college will reach under her leadership and guidance.”
