National Board


Gail Mason

President

Gail has been Nursing for 41 years. She worked in Neonatal ICU for 26 years. In 2008, she decided to make a change to adult nursing in the GI unit. For the last 10 years, she has been the Clinical Resource Nurse in the Clinic. Gail obtained her CGN(C) in 2015 and joined the Board of Directors as Education director in 2016. Two years later, she moved into the Secretary/Treasurer position. Her hobbies include: spending time with her family, crafting, camping or walking with her dog Callie. IF she is not at home, you will find her at a rink somewhere watching her Grandson play hockey. She also enjoys playing barbies with her granddaughter.

Email:

csgnapresident@gmail.com


Melissa Corcoran BN RN CGN (C)

Secretary/Treasurer

Year:2024

Melissa has 18 plus years of nursing experience with 14 years in the endoscopy field.

Currently, she is a Regional Clinical Education Coordinator with Prairie Mountain Health in Brandon, MB.

Melissa holds a Canadian Nurses Association Certification in Gastroenterology Nursing, and has co-authored an article published in the Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology.

Her hobbies include: Reading, spending time with family, friends and her pets.

Email:

csgnasecretary@gmail.com


Daysi Sandino

Awards and Research Director

Daysi has 31 years of nursing experience, with 28 years in the endoscopy field. Obtained and has maintained her CNA gastroenterology certification since 2005. Daysi has enjoyed the gastroenterology field , with her extensive expertise in ERCP she has been dubbed the 'ERCP queen' in both units where she has worked.


Alison Morrison

Education Director

Alison has 18 years of nursing experience and 8 years endoscopy experience. Alison has received her certification in GI nursing in 2019.


Krizel Watson

Multimedia/Public Relations Director

Krizel has been a nurse since 2011. she received her Nursing degree with the Université de Saint Boniface followed her Bachelor's of Nursing with the l'Université d'Ottawa for, making her a bilingual Nurse. She started in GI Endoscopy in 2013 and has been there ever since. Krizel was part of the planning committee for the CSGNA National conference for Winnipeg 2015. In the fall of 2021, Krizel became the President of CSGNA Winnipeg Chapter. In 2022, Krizel co-opened a Medical Aesthetic business where she specializes in cosmetic injectables and facial treatments. This is where she stepped up her social media skills and experience in the Digital world making a great fit as A multimedia/social media director


Linda Ndukwu

Practice Director


Candice Thompson

Regional Director Canada East

22 years of nursing experience, initially Med/surg, then Critical Care- ICU/ER. Initially started career in Miramichi, NB , moved onto Barrie, ON, then Charlottetown, PEI, where I fell in love with GI nursing. I have been in the GI field for the past 7 years. My family recently moved back to NB where we reside in Fredericon, NB and working in the GI lab. I enjoy spending time with my family, biking, working out, and spending time at the beac


Luisa Oliveira

Regional Director Canada Center

Luisa Oliveira has been a practicing registered Nurse for over 15 years, having completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Metropolitan University of Toronto in 2009. Following, she obtained her Critical Care Certificate and worked in the ICU for Halton Healthcare. With her continued passion for education, Luisa completed her Diabetes Nurse Certificate and practiced at LAMP Community Health Centre. Luisa joined Trillium Health Partners in 2014 as a staff nurse in Endoscopy, later transitioning to the role of Endoscopy Clinical Leader. In 2022 Luisa accepted a permanent role as Clinical Educator for the Endoscopy and Diabetes programs at Trillium Health Partners. With over 10 years of Endoscopy experience, Luisa continues to support the gastroenterology patient population and is excited to be the new Regional Director Canada Center for the CSGNA. Luisa's favourite past times are camping, paddleboarding, and fine dining with her husband and 3 boys.


Paula George

Regional Director Canada West

Paula, a clinical resource nurse in Endoscopy in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has 10 years of experience, initially in a rural setting and later specializing in emergency nursing. As the Canada West Director, she is committed to patient-centered care and enhancing nurses' knowledge and critical thinking skills. Eager to contribute to gastroenterology nursing, Paula aims to collaborate with the board to promote excellence in practice, education, and research throughout Western Canada.


Ms. Heather Dow

Executive Director

Year:2024
  • 25+ years of leadership in Charities, Not-for-Profits (NFP) and National Specialty Societies (NSS)
  • Senior Manager at Events & Management Plus Inc. in Kingston, ON.
  • Credentials; Certified Association Executive (CAE); 2015 and Certified Professional in CPD (Healthcare) (CPC(HC)) awarded June 2021 (1 of 8 recipients & only individual representing an NSS).
  • Holds the title of ED/CEO for the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (CAPM&R); Canadian Advances in Neuro-Orthopedics for Spasticity Congress (CANOSC) (co-Founder); Canadian Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Association (CSCI-RA) (co-founder); Toronto Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Conference (TPMRC) (co-founder); Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP); and the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates (CSGNA).
  • Chair of the CEO Roundtable of Canadian National Medical Organizations, member of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) CEO Working Group, CPD Rapid Response Committee, CPD-A Virtual Reality program Committee, and CPD Accreditation Committee. Member of the Community of Interest Working Group for the Coalition for Physician Learning and Practice Improvement and Director for Mountain Bike Kingston.
  • Several published peer-reviewed journal articles in both physical medicine and rehabilitation and pathology specialties.
  • Hobbies; riding my Tennessee Walker mare Georgie, autocross or lapping (Shannonville, Tremblant, or Calabogie), touring on my 1100cc Honda Shadow, Highland Dancing, riding single track on a mountain bike, weight training, hanging at cottage and enjoying time with family.

Il y a maintenant une année que nous nous sommes regroupés pour former le chapitre de Québec de la SCIIGTA. Puisqu’il n’y avait aucune formation offerte pour les infirmières en gastroentérologie à Québec, nous avons jugé plus que pertinent de faire avancer nos connaissances et celles de nos collègues en participant activement à la mise sur pied de ce volet francophone. Nous sommes fiers de participer et d’offrir de notre temps pour le développement de notre profession et de faire partie de cette belle organisation canadienne.
Nathalie Gobeil,
Assistante-infirmière-chef clinicienne,
secrétaire du chapitre de Québec