https://www.cna-aiic.ca/fr/blogs/ic-contenu/2026/06/18/laiic-annonce-sa-nouvelle-administration
June 18, 2026 (Ottawa, Ontario) — The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is pleased to announce the results of its 2026 election for its board of directors, following its annual meeting of members.
Dr. Tracie Risling, RN, PhD, begins her term as CNA president, succeeding Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc, RN, PhD, NSWOC, WOCC(C), FCAN, FNSWOC, FAAN.
CNA extends its deepest appreciation to Dr. LeBlanc for her leadership, commitment, and unwavering service to the association and to Canada’s nursing profession.
“I am honoured to serve as president of CNA as nurses, nurse practitioners, and health systems across the nation face unprecedented pressures and opportunities,” said Dr. Risling. “Nurses and nurse practitioners have the greatest potential to bend the cost curve while improving the quality of care and achieving better outcomes across Canada. That perspective must shape health policy at the national level. As president, I’ll be focused on making sure it does.”
“CNA has been lobbying for stronger, more accessible, equitable, and sustainable health systems by fully leveraging nurses’ leadership, expertise, value and impact. This board brings together all four nursing designations (licensed and registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses) from coast to coast to coast to guide CNA’s work at this critical moment for the organization and our profession,” said CNA CEO Dr. Valerie Grdisa, RN, PhD.
CNA welcomes the new officers who will serve during the 2026–2028 term:
- Dr. Pritma Dhillon-Chattha, DNP, MHA, RN, has been acclaimed as president-elect and she will transition to the presidency for the 2028–2030 term.
- Patrick Chiu, PhD, RN, has been acclaimed as vice president.
CNA also welcomes the newly elected directors to its board:
- Cates Bayabay, RN
- Sheila A. Boamah, RN
- Dr. Tammy O’Rourke, NP, PhD
- Chris Watkins, RPN, BScPN, MN, Dip. PN
Finally, Ryan Tandiama will serve as the student representative for a one-year term (March 2026 to February 2027) on behalf of the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association.
As CNA’s national professional voice for nurses, the board will guide the association’s mission to make nursing better for nurses, patients, and public health systems, guided by a vision of progressive leadership and core values of courage, equity, diversity, innovation, trust and excellence.
CNA is grateful to Dr. Bukola Salami, RN, PhD, FCAN, FAAN, who is the outgoing vice president and nominating committee chair, and to all candidates who put their names forward. We also thank CNA members who participated in the election process.
CNA extends its sincere thanks to all outgoing board members for their leadership, volunteerism, and substantive contributions to the association and the nursing profession.
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About the Canadian Nurses Association
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession to improve health outcomes in Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. CNA is the only national association that speaks for all nurses in all sectors and practice settings across all 13 provinces and territories. We represent unionized and non-unionized nurses, retired nurses, nursing students, and all categories of nurses (licensed and registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses).
For more information, please contact:
Kerri-Anne Finn
Media and Communications Coordinator
Cell: 613-282-7859
Email: kfinn@cna-aiic.ca
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