| Information | History of CANN

History of CANN

In June of 1969, Miss Jessie Young and a small group of neuroscience nurses held an organizational meeting in Montreal. At the end of their meeting, the Canadian Association of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nurses and its first executive had been formed.

From these early beginnings, the Association has continued to grow and develop. Since 1970, CANN has continued to meet annually and scientific papers from neuroscience nurses are the highlight.

Important Dates

  • June 1969: Foundation of the Canadian Association of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nurses (organizational meeting in Montreal, Quebec)
  • June 1970: First Annual General Meeting and Scientific Sessions held in Toronto, Ontario
  • January 1972: Member of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences
  • January 1977: First interest group to be awarded affiliate membership in the Canadian Nurses Association
  • September 1979: Publication of the first AXON
  • June 1981: First Mary Glover Lecture
  • 1983: Member of the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses
  • 1983: Published the first Standards of Practice for Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing
  • June 1983: First Jessie Young Bursary awarded
  • June 1985: First Codman Award
  • January 1986: Changed name to Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses
  • June 1986: Approved as a CNA Interest Group and became a member of the CNA Advisory Council
  • October 1987: CANN’s application for Neuroscience Nursing accepted for designation as the first nursing specialty for certification under CNA’s program
  • 1988: Publication of the Guidelines for Neurological and Neurosurgical Care
  • June 1988: CANN representative, Marlene Reimer, elected to the Board of CNA to represent all Interest Groups
  • April 1991: First Neuroscience Certification Examination (from CNA)
  • 1991: CANN Mission Statement developed
  • 1992: First CANN Research Award
  • 1992: Publication of Fundamentals of Neuroscience Nursing
  • 1996: CANN homepage set up on the Internet at www.conquestdes.nb.ca
  • 1998: Permanent CANN website established at www.cann.ca
  • 1999: First Strategic Plan for CANN printed (1999–2003)
  • June 2000: First Brain Tumour Foundation Award
  • June 2006: First Certification Bursary
  • 2006: First Dr. Marlene Reimer Research Award
  • June 2007: Name of journal changed from AXON to Canadian Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

In Memoriam—CANN Founder—Jessie Young

YOUNG, Jessie Fern — Passed away peacefully into the presence of the Lord at Bethany Lodge on Tuesday, February 3, 2004. Born July 28, 1910, loving daughter of the late Daniel and Annie Young of Erin and Acton, Ontario.

Loving sister of the late Margaret Young and Myrtle Myers. Loving aunt to Audrey of North Dakota and predeceased by her niece Elaine. Jessie was a graduate of Toronto General Hospital’s nursing program and helped set up the Canadian Neurosurgical Nurses' Association, and she became its first president. Friends called at the Trull Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge Street on Friday, February 6 from 10 a.m. until time of service in the chapel at 11 o’clock. Interment took place at Fairview Cemetery, Acton, on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. “Absent from the body—at home with the Lord.”

A feature on the life and contributions to CANN of Jessie Young can be found in the September 2004 issue of AXON

Jessie Young—Founder of CANN

Jessie Young’s nursing career began at the Toronto General Hospital. She was awarded scholarships which assisted her in obtaining a Diploma in Nursing Education. Her career took her to England for a position as a matron, and to the United States where she obtained her Arts Degree.

Jessie’s interest in Neuro-nursing began in 1956 when the Toronto General opened a Neurosurgical Unit and she was asked to supervise it. Her research for setting up this unit involved visits to London and Manchester in England, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, New York and Boston, and finally, Montreal. Amongst her accomplishments have been presentations at various nursing meetings in Canada and the United States. She published in the Canadian Nurse and Medical-Surgical Nursing textbooks. As well, she has been involved in designing neurological assessment sheets and linen for Stryker frames.

Of immediate interest to CANN members was her commitment to neuro-nursing, which culminated in her decision to found an association for nurses with a common interest in the specialty - a history-making event in Canadian Nursing twenty five years ago. Jessie served as the first President of our association and has attended most of our annual meetings. In both official and unofficial capacities she has continuously supported, advised and evaluated the developing work of the association, often effectively using her sense of humour and always her caring attitude. Her sincere interest in securing a place in history for our association can be illustrated by the fact that the entire archives of this organization had been faithfully collected and preserved by Jessie and, until a few years ago, stored under bed!

Jessie Young retired from active nursing in 1975 and from active CANN work in 1987. One expression of our appreciation to Jessie was the establishment of a bursary in her name to encourage the continuing education of neuro nurses.

It is not surprising, when we consider Jessie’s professional career and personal accomplishments, that she would be the founder of our association. Her energy, determination, warmth, pioneering spirit, and ambition are the very ingredients upon which our association is based.

Adapted from Jessie Young — A Tribute by Patricia Courtney

Past Presidents

Year Name Province Annual Meeting
1969 Jessie Young Ontario Montreal & Toronto 1969–1970
1970 Maila Maki Ontario St. John’s 1971
1971 Jacqueline LeBlanc Quebec Banff 1972
1972 Sue Goode British Columbia Montreal 1973
1973 Mimi Reid Ontario Saskatoon 1974
1974 Jane Clattenburg Nova Scotia London 1975
1975 Lynne Baldwin Alberta Winnipeg 1976
1976 Betty King British Columbia Quebec City 1977
1977 Beth Cook Ontario Vancouver 1978
1978 Pauline Weldon Nova Scotia Halifax 1979
1979 Juliana Pleines Quebec Ottawa 1980
1980 Debbie Vachon Ontario Calgary 1981
1981 Audrey Wilson Ontario Toronto 1982
1982 Leslie Kerby, Audrey Wilson & Judy Conrad Alberta St. John’s 1983
1983 Judy Conrad Nova Scotia Edmonton 1984
1984 Donna Yakel Saskatchewan Montreal 1985
1985 Zann Spiller Ontario London 1986
1986 Lydia Martens Manitoba Vancouver 1987
1987 Patricia Courtney Newfoundland Quebec 1988
1988 Sharon Nunn British Columbia Ottawa 1989
1989 Linda Yetman Ontario Banff 1990
1990 Joanne Hapgood Newfoundland Halifax 1991
1991 Diane Treppel Saskatchewan Winnipeg 1992
1992 Diane Thrasher Ontario Toronto 1993
1993 Karen McEwen Nova Scotia St. John’s 1994
1994 Janice Kenny New Brunswick Victoria 1995
1995 Kathryn Doerksen Manitoba London 1996
1996 Wendy Morrison British Columbia Saskatoon 1997
1997 Linda Lethbridge Saskatchewan Montreal 1998
1998 Margaret Munch Newfoundland Edmonton 1999
1999 Judy Chisholm Nova Scotia Ottawa 2000
2000 Darlene Schindel Alberta Halifax 2001
2001 Nancy Thorton Alberta Vancouver 2002
2002 Melodie Mortenson Ontario Quebec City 2003
2003 Lynn Joseph Ontario Calgary 2004
2004 Jeanne Evans Ontario Ottawa 2005
2005 Patricia Gallagher New Brunswick Montreal 2006