This bursary was funded from two different areas.
In Honour of Margaret Mary Bellis:
Margaret Mary Bellis’s love of children is rumoured to have begun as the second child of six. Mary’s genuineness, curiosity, friendliness, compassion and loyalty to her family, friends and colleagues are legendary and reminiscent of the attributes of one who was raised in a large family. Her curiosity, sense of adventure, outgoingness and adaptability are likely linked to having a father who was a Wing Commander with the RCAF, as this meant she and her family experienced life in multiple cities across Canada.
Mary’s dedication to lifelong learning was evident early in her career when she pursued a specialty certification in neurological nursing from Foothill’s Hospital in Calgary, AB. Mary returned to BC and moved from VGH to BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) when it opened in 1982, where she worked until her retirement. She was a pioneer in family-centred care before it was labelled as such. Mary recognized the impact an intensive care unit had on children and their families, and she made it her mission to create a warm, child-friendly environment for the children and their families.
Mary was known as a care provider in and out of the unit. She cared fiercely for her colleagues and friends. She had a core group of lifelong friends that she made when she first started in the PICU. Their adventures are legendary. Mary was an inspirational nurse who encouraged and motivated her colleagues daily to reach their potential. She wanted every child to receive the best, and if that was challenging, Mary pushed us to figure out why. Mary made a difference.
BC Women’s and Children’s BC Women’s Health Centre
The Centre is dedicated to improving the health of women, newborns and families through a comprehensive range of services, research and education.