CHAIR
Edward Cruz, RN, CCNE, BN, MScN, PhD
I am Edward Cruz, and I am the president of the RNAO's International Nursing Interest Group. I am an internationally educated nurse from the Philippines, and currently an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. My areas of interest are in the nursing education, human resources for health, immigrant and refugee health, and community and mental health. At UWindsor, I teach undergraduate courses in community nursing, mental health nursing, and global health, as well as human resource management in nursing and advanced qualitative research in our graduate programs.
FINANCE EXECUTIVE NETWORK OFFICER
Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite, RN, BN, MN, PhD
My name is Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite. It’s an honor and privilege to serve as your financial officer for the International Interest Group of RNAO. I am one of the founding members of INIG and its first President. I am also a Past President of RNAO, Co-Chair of RNAO’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force and Graduate Faculty Member, Department of Health Sciences, Ontario Technology University (OTU). I hold a PhD in Nursing from the University of Toronto and a Master of Nursing from the University of Manitoba. I have national and international experience in nursing as well as keynote speaker nationally and internationally. I also have extensive experience in leadership, nursing administration, nursing education, policy advocacy, health care systems and cultural competence. I have held Executive leadership positions as a Director of Nursing Education & Development, Director of Nursing in acute care, President of RNAO (2018-2020) as well as Regional Manager in primary care and Program Manager in public health. I have also taught undergraduate and graduate nursing students at OTU and the University of Toronto respectively.
I have received numerous academic and service awards and was the recipient of the RNAO Award of Merit in 2015; RNAO Leadership Award in Nursing Administration, 2013; and RNAO Leadership Award in Political Action, 2011. I also received the University of Toronto Distinguish Alumnus Award in 2007, Ontario Public Health Association Award of Excellence for leadership in Public Health, 2010, and Award of Excellence from the Regional Municipality of Durham, 2006. I have published numerous peer-reviewed papers in professional journals. My areas of research are chronic disease focusing on the prevention of type 2 diabetes and culturally tailored intervention research for minority groups (Sub-Saharan Africans, Black people from Canada and Caribbean, and Filipinos) and racism and discrimination among Black Canadians. Other areas of interest are listening to classical music, singing in choirs, and visiting different countries.
POLICY AND POLITICAL EXECUTIVE NETWORK OFFICER
Antoinette Meinders
MEMBERSHIP EXECUTIVE NETWORK OFFICER
Beatriz “Betsy" Jackson, RN, MScN
I am Betsy, I graduated from Silliman University College of Nursing, Dumaguete City, Philippines in 1977 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 1980, I worked at the Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital in Twillingate Newfoundland for 4 years as a staff nurse then as an evening nursing supervisor. In 1984, I moved to Toronto and worked at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for 26 years in various roles as staff nurse in Oncology, Cardiology, CCU, Professional Practice Leader and Advanced Practice Nurse in the Schulich Heart Program, Acting Director of Nursing Education & Informatics and Manager of Special Nursing Projects. I completed my Masters of Science in Nursing in 2004 at D’Youville College, Buffalo, New York. I am an active member of the RNAO Durham Northumberland Chapter, having served as Membership ENO (2011-2012), as Chapter President (2012-2014), and as Region 8 Representative to the Board (2015-2019). I was the Policy and Political Action ENO of the Retired Nurses Interest Group (2018-2020) and the Chair of the International Nurses Interest Group (2019-present). I taught partial load at Centennial College, PN Program. I volunteer at the St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Refugee Committee.
SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE NETWORK OFFICER
Rose Yamomo, RN, BScN, CPMHN(C)
My name is Rose Yamomo and I graduated from Western University in 2018. I have been a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse for 3 years specializing in complex mental illnesses with a focus on a Recovery Model of Care. As a newer Executive Member of INIG, I am excited to be a part of a passionate and driven group that provides information to our community locally and internationally. Leadership and educating others have always been an area of interest for me which in turn motivated me to complete additional education at University of Toronto where I obtained a Certificate in Leadership and Management. I have also completed training to become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. I aspire to pursue higher education in order to teach nursing students all over the world and implement projects to increase mental health awareness.