Audrey McKenzie
Clinical educator/healthcare volunteer
Community: Sundre
Caring for patients bedside, managing a hospital, teaching and volunteering—registered nurse Audrey McKenzie has touched many in her 45 years in healthcare.
McKenzie’s dedication stood out for many in her community of Sundre and central Alberta. Her efforts recently earned her a nomination as a Rhapsody Rural Healthcare Heroes Award, an annual award established by RhPAP to recognize rural healthcare providers that demonstrate superior commitment to their patients, healthcare team and community.
The long-time nurse trained in Saskatoon as a certified nursing assistant and eventually upgraded her education to become a registered nurse and later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“Audrey is always the first person to sign up to trial new programs that could enhance the care for our rural community of Sundre,” writes nominator Chantal Crawford, site manager for the Myron Thompson Health Centre.
“When Audrey isn’t busy at the hospital teaching the new staff or providing care on the unit, she is often found in the community working with our local Sundre Hospital Futures committee and [Sundre Health Profession Attraction and Retention Committee] SHPARC volunteering at various events.”
McKenzie was instrumental in setting up an Educate, Simulate, Innovate and Motivate (E-SIM) lab in Sundre, one of only two healthcare training facilities in rural Alberta, notes Joyce Wicks, SHPARC chair. There McKenzie volunteers to teach first aid and basic life support classes.
She has also volunteered her time to help with RhPAP’s Let’s Go Rural! High School event and coordinated learning stations for 12 physicians to enable them to receive training for an EDE (Emergency Department Echo) Point-of-Care ultrasound course remarkably between COVID outbreaks.
The dedicated volunteer also inspires peers.
“Audrey is an exceptional role model to all who have had the privilege to work with her,” notes Crawford.
“She teaches the “art” of nursing that often gets lost in the daily tasks that must be accomplished each day … the importance of a smile and a warm welcoming way to greet your patient.”
Check out the full list of Rhapsody winners and nominees here.