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 Kathy Mitchell
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 Professor | Faculty of Health, Public Safety & Community Studies
 
Kathy Mitchell, Professor in Algonquin College’s Faculty of Health, Public Safety and Community Studies, was born in Yorkshire, England, and immigrated to Canada when she was five. Kathy graduated from the Toronto General Hospital Registered Nurse Program (R.N.) in 1968 and from McGill University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BScN) in 1970. After working at the Ottawa Civic Hospital School of Nursing, she joined the School of Health Sciences staff at Algonquin College in 1987. Currently she is a Professor of the BScN program.

A world traveler, Kathy has presented papers at the International Symposiums in Europe on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” She has also worked in war-torn Serbia to help patients and families in need. “Working with ALS has offered me the opportunity to spend time with graceful and courageous families and patients dealing with this devastating illness,” says Kathy.

As a Professor, Kathy takes a mentorship approach to teaching. “I try to be a role model for my students,” Kathy explains. “It is
 

important for them to see that I am volunteering at local hospices and still engaged with patients that are dying of ALS. I want my students to know that they can make a difference in patient care.”

Kathy engages her students by merging her work abroad with her lengthy clinical background. “I take my clinical experience and global perspective and weave them together into a rich tapestry of excitement for my students.”

In 2002, Kathy worked with the Turkish Neuromuscular Association assessing data collection, presenting workshops for community nurses and visiting clients in their homes. She worked with the Yugoslav Motor Neurone Disease Association to increase public and political awareness of nursing scope of practice in 2003. The next year Kathy returned to Serbia to continue education seminars and to begin discussions about the country’s palliative care policies and practices. “My biggest professional success is that I am able to make a difference to patients and their families through my work in the entire country of Serbia,” Kathy explains.

Kathy plans to continue helping patients and families around the world while teaching here at the College. “I love it here at Algonquin. The College’s visionary leadership is enthusiastic, committed, and passionate,” says Kathy, “I am excited to continue working in the College’s state-of-the-art Simulation Centre for Health Studies, specializing in maternal nursing and sharing my experiences with the students.”