Hannah was born and raised in Vancouver, with a natural curiosity for “gross” things, a love of travel, a passion for challenges, and an affinity for connecting with people. In hindsight, nursing was an obvious fit for her interests and personality, though it took some time for her to realize it.
After graduating from high school in Vancouver, Hannah pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology at UBC, graduating in 2005. Her perspective on healthcare shifted profoundly after supporting a close family friend through a challenging cancer journey. This experience deepened her understanding of the healthcare system and sparked her realization that nursing was the ideal path for her. Eager to apply her scientific knowledge in a meaningful, human-centered way, she enrolled in the UBC Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, ten years after graduating from high school.
Hannah has fond memories of her nursing program, particularly the mentorship she received from the faculty. Dr. Colleen Varcoe left a lasting impression, shaping Hannah’s vision of how nursing could address the needs of those most affected by systemic inequities. Returning to university after some time away was an unexpectedly smooth transition. The coursework was engaging and challenging, and her cohort was a vibrant, passionate mix of individuals. Everyone has a unique story of what drew them to nursing.
Upon graduation, Hannah moved to Halifax, where she began her nursing career in orthopedics at Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre before training for and transitioning to the emergency department. During this time, she rekindled her passion for harm reduction and working with marginalized populations, joining Direction 180, a community program focused on opioid agonist therapies (OAT). These early experiences broadened her skills and deepened her appreciation for teamwork in diverse nursing contexts.
In 2014, Hannah embarked on a 1.5-year stint as a travel nurse, taking short-term assignments in rural British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. She fell in love with the North, especially Inuvik and Whitehorse, and made the permanent move to Whitehorse in 2016.
Hannah has embraced both professional and personal life in the Yukon. Her roles have spanned emergency care, ICU, post-anesthetic recovery, chemotherapy, and float nursing across various hospital units. She has also contributed significantly to harm reduction efforts, working at a low-barrier primary care clinic providing OAT, and more recently, focusing on alcohol treatment. Notably, she developed and implemented an inpatient managed alcohol program (IMAP) for the Yukon Hospital Corporation (YHC). She has also collaborated with the Yukon government and Kwanlin Dün First Nation to explore residential treatment options.
Most recently, Hannah has served as an educator with Yukon Withdrawal Management Services, focusing on detox programming, and as the project clinical lead for Whitehorse General Hospital’s new mental health unit. In recognition of her community contributions, she received the Premier’s Award of Excellence and Innovation in 2020.
Hannah is now working as the critical care clinical nurse educator for YHC while beginning a Master of Science in Nursing program via distance learning through the University of Calgary. Her master’s research will focus on the Inpatient Managed Alcohol Program (IMAP) she developed for the YHC. She hopes that by sharing her work, more programs can be established to meet vulnerable populations where they are, providing practical and meaningful services.
Life in the Yukon remains vibrant and rewarding for Hannah. She is actively supporting the creation of a new health authority in the region and has joined the newly established Yukon Nurses Association board as vice president. Outside of work, she and her husband are raising their six-year-old son, Gray, and staying engaged in their community. Last summer, Hannah completed her first ultramarathon in Manning Park, and her family continues to enjoy the stunning natural beauty and outdoor opportunities the Yukon has to offer.
When Hannah first considered pursuing a career in nursing, she felt like it might be too late. After being away from school for ten years and exploring other paths, nursing seemed like a daunting challenge. In hindsight, she now finds this perspective amusing. Her time at UBC’s nursing school was efficient, and it set her up for a new chapter in life. And what a journey it has been! Nursing has allowed Hannah to travel, try new things, and meet countless people. It has helped her forge an identity as a nurse that she can’t imagine being without. Looking back, it’s clear—it’s never too late to begin.
November 2024
Submitted by H Raphael and S Thorne