Centenary Medal – Bernice Budz

Bernice Budz, MSN, RN, CNCC, ARNP, has been in nursing since 1980, a rich and diverse career that has taken her from being a staff nurse to an educator, a manager of cardiac surgery ICU and PACU, a clinical nurse specialist, the provincial director of Cardiac Services BC, a Nurse Practitioner, an Associate Dean of Nursing and interim Dean of the School of Health Sciences at BCIT. Bernice is currently BC Cancer’s Vice President of Patient Experience & Interprofessional Practice, overseeing all areas of oncology nursing – including more than 500 nurses across six B.C. centres – as well as supportive care, including psychiatry, counseling, nutrition, therapy and social work.

Bernice received her Master of Science in Nursing at UBC and a post-masters degree as a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Washington, following her undergraduate nursing degree at the University of Lethbridge.

Bernice has had many professional associations over the years, including being on the national board of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses and receiving the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and recently received the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award from the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia.

Bernice has a strong commitment to the nursing profession and has demonstrated leadership in clinical practice, education, quality improvement, research and leadership. She is always looking for innovative ways to support and improve both patients’ and students’ experiences, and has been instrumental in implementing evidence-informed care and education. At BC Cancer she is helping drive increased person-centred care throughout her diverse portfolio.

Education has always been paramount for Bernice. That commitment continues today with Bernice’s involvement with UBC, working with both faculty and students, helping to create opportunities for them to pursue in their careers, whether in clinical work, education or research.