Dr. Joan Donald
1936-2022
Dr. Joan Esther Donald, RT, RN, B.Sc N., B.Ed., M.A. (Ed.),
Ed.D. RN and Co-founder of the Operating Room Nurses Association of
Canada (ORNAC), passed peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Aug 22,
2022, surrounded by her loving husband of 60 years, Hugh, and
children, Stacey, and Andrew.
Joan graduated from Moncton High School in 1952 and after 2
years with the CIBC, went on to become a Radiologic Technologist
accepting a position as an X-Ray Technician at Carleton Memorial
Hospital, Woodstock, NB. Her desire for increased Patient
contact led her to nursing and she graduated from Victoria Public
Hospital School of Nursing, Fredericton, NB in 1961. Joan
returned to Moncton following graduation and worked at the Hotel Dieu
Hospital in the X-Ray department prior to going on to post graduate
studies in Operating Room Nursing at the Royal Victoria Hospital in
Montreal, PQ. After successfully completing a program in
Operating Room Technique and Management, she returned to Moncton where
she married Hugh Donald and settled back to life in New
Brunswick. Joan worked in various departments at The Moncton
Hospital until settling into a full-time position in the Operating
Room.
During the following years, the Donald’s gave birth
to a daughter Stacey and then a son Andrew. Although her
family life was her pride and joy, Joan maintained her love for
Operating Room (OR) Nursing and while working part-time, Joan began
studies at the University of Moncton and completed a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing in 1975. She later earned a B. Ed. and an
M.A.(Ed.) at UdeM. She developed and taught a course of
instruction for OR Technicians which provided a vital program for RNAs
wishing to work in the OR.
Joan eventually became involved in the New Brunswick
Operating Room Nurses Group that led to her representing New Brunswick
at the national level. It was during a National
Planning Committee meeting in Winnipeg, MA that Joan put forward the
motion to formalize a national OR nurses’
association. A committee was struck to determine the
feasibility of such an organization with Joan as a member and the
Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) became a reality
in 1983. Following on the heels of this momentous
occasion, Joan was appointed Chairman of the Standards
Committee. The landmark first edition of
ORNAC’s “Recommended Standards for
Operating Room Nursing Practice and Quality Assurance
Audit” was published in 1986.
In addition to being the first Perioperative Nurse in Canada
to complete a Doctorate, she has several certificates of
accomplishment. Throughout her professional career, she
accepted many challenging opportunities contributing to the nursing
profession. During a period of transition in
Healthcare in the Greater Toronto area she held the position of
Program Coordinator, Perioperative Services at St. Michael’s
Hospital in Toronto. In this capacity she assisted with the
transfer of the OR from Wellesley-Central Hospital to St.
Michael’s Hospital. She also managed the
Pre-Admission Facility, Surgical Day Care, Operating Rooms, Post
Anesthetic Care Units, and the Central Processing
Department. Prior to that, from 1995 to 1999, Joan was the
Associate Director of Perioperative Services at Mount Sinai Hospital,
Toronto, ON. Joan loved her work in Toronto and always
referred to those days as “the icing on the cake of her nursing
career.”
A sampling of other positions held during her career
includes: Healthcare Management Consultant, Riverview, NB;
Associate in Nursing, Cross-Appointment, University of Toronto, ON;
Director of Ambulatory Care for South-East Health Care Corporation,
NB; Director of Nursing, Sackville Memorial Hospital, NB; Assistant
Director of Nursing, The Moncton Hospital, NB; Educator at the Miss A.
J. MacMaster School of Nursing, Moncton, NB; Nurse Educator and staff
nurse, The Moncton Hospital, NB; and Manager of the X-Ray Department,
Carleton Memorial Hospital, Woodstock, NB.
Between 1988 and 1998 Joan was recognized for her hard work,
contribution, and dedication by being honoured with numerous awards.
The acknowledgement in which she took the greatest pride was being
presented the Isabelle Adams Award of Excellence in Perioperative
Nursing. This award is presented at the national ORNAC
conference that is held once every two years and is voted on by nurses
right across Canada. She noted that “having nurses
right across the country deem you worthy of such an award is an
awesome experience!”. Joan acted as a consultant with
Universities and Hospitals as far away as the Caribbean, British
Columbia and frequently in Toronto.
During her nine-year involvement on the Executive of ORNAC
where she was President from 1988 to 1990, Joan was active
provincially, nationally, and internationally. She worked
closely with the Association of Operating Room Nurses based in Denver,
CO and represented Canada on the International Planning Committee for
World Conferences of Operating Room Nurses. She moderated
and presented both on a national and international level at various
conferences and was the closing keynote speaker at a World
Conference. She was the first Canadian Operating Room nurse
invited to participate in 3M’s Research Cruise that had
previously been attended only by prestigious OR managers from the
United States. Over the years Joan has been a member of over
50 organizations that included membership on more than 75 professional
committees. She developed material for numerous workshops
and made over 26 presentations. Her work has been published
in 19 professional journals.
Joan was a Board member of The United Church Home for Senior
Citizens, Inc. in Sackville, NB for many years as well as Chairperson
for two years. She was a member of the Board of Directors of The New
Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes from 2003 to 2006 during which
time she chaired the By-laws committee as revisions were
completed.
Joan was a founding member of the Women’s Probus
Club of Southeast New Brunswick as she helped provide the framework
for a vibrant organization as its Founding President. She
assisted with the inauguration of a sister club in Charlottetown, PEI
and encouraged a collaborative friendship between the two
clubs. Joan held various offices with the Girl Guides of
Canada, coordinated “Spring Thaw” that was a popular venue
for showcasing the talents of employees of The Moncton Hospital and
was actively involved in Saint John’s United Church and the
Riverview Arts Centre.
Throughout all the years of her nursing career,
Joan’s family encouraged and supported her in every way
possible. Following his retirement, her husband Hugh
accompanied her on the various educational and professional activities
that required travel. These times were viewed as their
“latest adventure” and provided both challenge and
satisfaction. Joan loved her work in Toronto and always referred to
those days as “the icing on the cake of her nursing career.”
Continuing education was fundamental to Joan who remained a lifelong
learner.
Joan’s family and friends have been a constant
source of support and joy throughout her life. Her Mum and Dad,
brothers and sisters were always ready to help when needed, or just
listen and while away the evening hours in friendly chatter. An avid
skier, Joan enjoyed travel throughout much of Canada, the US, Europe,
the Caribbean, and Australia. A wonderful and creative cook, she took
great pride and pleasure entertaining at home, especially when music,
dancing and a glass of wine were involved. Visits to Texas and time
spent with Stacey, Rob, Ashleigh, Taylor, Matthew, and Logan were
favourite times for Joan, Hugh, and Andrew. Joan was blessed
with a loving and generous family.
Joan is survived by her husband of 60 years Hugh Donald,
daughter Stacey MacLennan (Rob) of Allen, Texas, son Andrew of
Riverview, NB, grandchildren Ashleigh, Taylor, Matthew and Logan of
Allen, Texas, sister Marlene Boyd of Fredericton, NB, sister Marilyn
Barton of Fredericton, NB, sister Judy Kennedy (Paul) of Riverview,
NB, sister Brenda Robichaud (Bob) of Moncton, NB, brother Rodger
Blakney (Joan) of Upper Coverdale, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was predeceased by her mother Helen(Colwell) and father Fred
Blakney, as well as a brother, Arthur (Brud) Blakney.
Visitation will take place at Cobb’s Funeral Home
and Cremation Center 220 Whitepine Rd. Riverview (869-2007) on Sunday,
August 28, 2022 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
A Memorial Celebration of Joan’s life will be held
at St. John’s United Church 75 Alma Street, Moncton, Monday
August 29, 2022 at 2:00 pm.
Donations in Joan’s honour can be made to Friends
of The Moncton Hospital. Joan’s family would like to thank
Dr. John Li, Driscoll Extramural unit (Jenna), Dr. Annette Thibeau and
Holly, and all support staff for their kind and thoughtful
care.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Joan Donald 19362022..
Death notice for the town of: Riverview, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick