2025-2026 HALTON executive

Penelope is a passionate Registered Nurse with 25 years of experience in multiple roles within the nursing profession. She has provided care in various settings from Complex Continuing Care in the northern region of Thunder Bay, Ontario to Long Term Care, Rehabilitation and Retirement in Toronto, Ontario. Her expertise has focused in Gerontological Nursing specializing in working with those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and seniors’ mental health. She has worked in many roles within clinical practice which includes staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist/coach, management, professional practice, quality assurance and education.

Her desire to make a difference in the lives of others was the driving force that led her to the profession. Penelope is a values-based integral leader, grounded by both a patient-centered and holistic approach to care for individuals and their families. She is dedicated to being a strong advocate for both patients, their family and the nurses which they provide care. Penelope earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree with an Interdisciplinary Minor in Gerontology from Lakehead University followed by a Master of Nursing from the University of Toronto. As a lifelong learner, she continues to strive to advance her skill sets to provide the best practices and quality of care to those she serves. She is most recently completing her certification as a Holistic Nurse, Nurse Coach and Consultant from the Canadian Institute of Integrative Nursing Development and Education (CIINDE).

As President of the RNAO Halton Chapter Executive, she welcomes this leadership opportunity to collaborate with the membership to enhance the voice of nurses and advocate for patients they care for in the region. It is with great enthusiasm, Penelope strives to create a strong network for nurses in Halton, which to drive both a sense of community, knowledge translation, and the ability to advocate and influence healthcare policy.

Margarita Machura is a dedicated Registered Nurse and RN Prescriber with progressive clinical experience at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Her practice has been shaped within high-acuity medical-surgical and surgical environments, including pre-operative and post-operative care, as well as cardiology and telemetry. Through these experiences, Margarita has developed strong clinical judgement, advanced assessment skills, and the ability manage complex patient needs with confidence and precision. 

Grounded in a holistic, patient-centered philosophy, Margarita is recognized for her ability to integrate critical thinking with compassionate care. She brings a unique strength in addressing both the physical and emotional dimensions of healing, building meaningful therapeutic relationships with diverse patient populations while ensuring safe, evidence-informed practice. 

As an Executive Officer for the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario Halton Chapter's Policy and Political Action Network, Margarita is a passionate advocate for healthcare transformation. She is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of front-line nurses and patients, ensuring their lived experiences inform policy, system design, and decision-making. She views advocacy not only as a responsibility, but a privilege rooted in integrity, leadership, and accountability. 

Margarita's clinical interests continue to evolve with a focused specialization in wound, ostomy, and continence care. She is an active member of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada and the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel, and has pursued extensive professional development through national conferences , specialized workshops , and advanced training initiatives. Her goal is to bridge gaps in care, particularly in supporting  patients navigating complex physical changes and body image challenges. 

Known for her solution-oriented mindset, Margarita excels in bringing people together, navigating complexity , and driving meaningful improvements in both bedside care and system-level practice. Her combined clinical expertise, leadership, and advocacy position her as a strong and emerging voice in healthcare within the Halton region and beyond. Margarita is proud to serve her community with purpose- continuously striving to elevate patient care, empower nurses, and contribute to a more responsive and equitable healthcare system.

Tabby is a dedicated registered nurse with over 20 years of diverse experience in healthcare. She has provided primary care in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and community settings. Additionally, Tabby has nearly a decade of case management experience with the LHIN network. Throughout her career, she has consistently delivered compassionate care and has been committed to teaching others to become better, more empathetic caregivers. Tabby enjoys connecting with people and learning from their life stories and experiences.

Tabby earned her Nursing degree from the University of New Brunswick/Humber College and is currently pursuing an MBA with Federation University. She has served as an Administrator of a Long-Term Care facility and is presently supporting precariously housed clients with acute needs from hospitals. Tabby has also completed numerous training courses and certifications to enhance her skills in healthcare and management, she was the liaison for RNAO best practice spotlight organization during her tenure as the Administrator. She enjoys decorating, discovering new destinations, and spending time with her children.