Centenary Medal – Jean Barry

Jean completed her Bachelor of Nursing at Memorial University of Newfoundland and practiced clinically in BC, Newfoundland and Ontario. In 1989 she moved into the professional association/regulatory world for what was to be a one-month position as a registration officer at the then Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia, which becam CRNBC (now BCCNP). This move had a major influence on her future career. She held positions as registration officer, registration advisor, examinations and students and registration advisor, initial registration during her fourteen years at CRNBC. But perhaps the biggest life changing event during this period was pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree at UBC with a health policy focus. It was here that her passion for policy work and the change that it can generate came alive. She went on to work at the Canadian Nurses Association as a senior policy consultant and later as the Director of Regulatory Policy. This position included oversight of the regulatory policy, examination, ethics and certification portfolios. In 2010 Jean moved to Switzerland to work at the International Council of Nurses addressing issues related to regulation, education, advanced practice and maternal/child health at the country, regional and international level. This required collaboration with multiple United Nations Organisations, particularly the World Health Organization, as well as with international non-governmental organisations in the production of guidelines and policy statements to promote patient safety, quality education and regulation, and safe maternal/child care globally. Jean continues to live in Switzerland but is happy to be back in Vancouver to receive this honour.