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Ethel Johns:

National Person of Historical Significance

 

In February of 2015, Canada’s National Parks Board presented the School of Nursing with a plaque dedicated to Ethel Johns. One hundred years after she accepted the dual role as Head of the Department of Nursing and Superintendent of Nursing at the Vancouver General Hospital, Miss Johns’ plaque was erected on the path between the UBC Hospital and the Health Sciences Mall. On February 26, 2019, the official unveiling revealed the culmination of twelve years’ hard work by a committed group of historians, emeriti, faculty, staff, and friends of the School. Well-wishers gathered with the motivators of this honour for a brief unveiling, photographs, and refreshments.

Bright sun and a gentle breeze enhanced the unveiling as current director, Elizabeth Saewyc, revealed the plaque to a cluster of onlookers. Photo: Nicolas El Haïk-Wagner

Representatives from a broad spectrum of the nursing/history community join celebrations. L to R: Shelagh Smith, Nan Martin, Lenore Radom, Sally Thorne, Fuchsia Howard, Suzanne Campbell, Francis Mansbridge, Kathy Murphy, Elizabeth Saewyc, Cathy Ebbehoj, Wendy Hall, and Ellen Siu. Photo: Nicolas El Haïk-Wagner