Exhibit tells story of St. Boniface School of Nursing

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This article was published 14/07/2017 (3371 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new bilingual interactive exhibit at St. Boniface Hospital is dedicated to telling the story of the 100-year history of the St. Boniface School of Nursing.

According to Shirley Delaquis, chair of the archives committee of the St. Boniface Registered Nurses’ Alumni Association, the association’s goal is to capture the story of the former school and its important role in the development of nursing care at the hospital and beyond, including the influence of the Grey Nuns.

The story will include the evolution of the nursing profession, the influence and impact of the school and its graduates on patient care, the life of its students, and highlights of significant events in its history. It is also a monument to the role women played in the development of health care as it exists today, and a tribute to the Grey Nuns’ legacy of compassion, caring and professionalism that was imparted to student nurses.

After establishing the first hospital in Western Canada, the Grey Nuns opened the School of Nursing in 1897 in response to a need for skilled health care workers, Delaquis said. More than 5,000 registered nurses graduated from the school during its 100-year lifespan before its closure in 1997.

The exhibit is located in the main entrance of the hospital’s Everett Atrium along the wall approaching the entrance to the Buhler Art Gallery. There are visuals on the wall and two 55-inch, multi-touch screens, as well as visuals on three overhead wall panels and eight acrylic panels hanging in front of the windows. Each panel depicts an important figure who contributed to the establishment and success of the school.

“The exhibit allows you to keep delving into the history and look at subjects like life in residence, rules and regulations, the curriculum, life after graduation, and war and epidemics,” said Delaquis, who is responsible for documents and artifacts in the association’s possession.

“It’s about how nursing has changed and evolved and the role it has played in health care.”

“The legacy of the Grey Nuns is one of courageous and strong women who built the first hospital in Western Canada and realized we needed trained staff. The sisters made an important contribution to health care in Manitoba and beyond. It was known as one of the most significant nursing schools in Canada. The rules were very strict, but the sisters were caring and compassionate, which is something they passed on,” added Delaquis, who lives in Windsor Park and is a retired RN.

“The exhibit is interactive and modern, and it’s very important for people to remember where we came from and where we started.”

Delaquis said the projected cost of design equipment and installation is approximately $120,000, with funding coming from numerous sources.

The concept was designed and created by curator/co-ordinator Annie Langlois, and also designed by Thomas Bres. The computer programmer is Jean Vouillon. The interactive display uses the most interactive technology.

“The three of them were absolutely fantastic and their contributions to the exhibit have to be recognized,” Delaquis said.

Donations for the exhibit will still be gratefully accepted. Go online at www.sbgh.mb.ca/about-alumni.html for more information.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com