By Jennifer Elliott
Emma Lefebvre came to uOttawa from Kingston to pursue her nursing degree and compete for the Gee-Gees women’s soccer team. Over the next four years, she became an all-star scoring leader, a national champion, and a world champion, all part of a massively successful career with the soccer team.
This week she takes the next step in her nursing career, graduating with her class on Friday, June 19 as part of the Faculty of Health Sciences virtual convocation ceremony.
Lefebvre comes from a family of health care providers. Her parents were both nurses when they met. Her mother continues to work as a registered nurse at Brockville General Hospital while her father is a dentist. Growing up, Emma, her two sisters and her brother were all inspired by their parents’ commitment to caring for others.
“My parents have always taught me to be kind, compassionate and to care for vulnerable populations,” says Emma. “My mom dedicated her career to working for better health in Canada’s Indigenous populations and in developing nations. These values have been instilled in me and my siblings.” Emma’s sisters work in public health and nursing, while her brother is currently a nursing student.
At uOttawa, as her achievements on the soccer field grew, the demands of the nursing program were constantly driving Emma forward as well.
“I was determined to give my best efforts on the field and in the classroom. The course material was extensive and the professors, lab instructors and clinical instructors were very thorough. They understood that the program requirements are tough and demanding, as they went through the same struggle themselves,” says Lefebvre, who did a consolidation placement on the vascular surgery floor at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus and has now accepted an RN position there.
“I really appreciated the time the instructors took to ensure understanding by being available to me whenever I needed clarification. They helped me remain on track and motivated me to absorb as much material as possible, recognizing that this knowledge would serve me well throughout my career.”
The past few months have seen fourth-year nursing students including Lefebvre recruited to become clinical care assistants at the Ottawa Hospital, to provide support to hospital staff and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. She will begin her RN position on June 16, but will make some time to celebrate her convocation on June 19, with her family of health care workers celebrating right along with her.
“I will definitely be tuning in to the online graduation and I look forward to hearing the messages of inspiration and hope from all speakers,” says Lefebvre. “Although it is unfortunate we are not able to walk across the stage, uOttawa is making its best effort to recognize our efforts and make this time of year as special as possible for us.”