March 14, 2019
A lasting voice of compassion
Because Dr. Paula Price was a pillar of the Calgary nursing community, a compassionate individual, and a role model to many nurses, we would like to commemorate her life and work as one of 抖阴APP导航鈥檚 50 Faces of Nursing. Paula passed away on January 23, 2019.
Paula had a distinguished nursing career in Calgary - from her time at the Holy Cross Hospital in the 1980s and as an instructor at Foothills Hospital School of Nursing in the early 1990s to her 24 years at Mount Royal University, spanning teaching, administrative and mentoring positions, and culminating in her dream role as director of the university鈥檚 School of Nursing and Midwifery.
She had a profound impact on the wider nursing community as a role model and great inspiration to her students and colleagues.
Dr. Kathryn King-Shier, PhD, a colleague from the Holy Cross Hospital ICU who knew Paula for more than 30 years, wrote:
鈥淧aula always impressed me as a 'gentle giant.' She was a brilliant clinician and had so many accomplishments and accolades ... but one would never know.
鈥淪he was humble and never needed to flaunt her intellect or success. She quietly went about her work and garnered great respect from all who knew her.鈥
Colleague Lorna Estabrooks, MN鈥97, NP鈥09, wrote:
"I worked with Paula, 鈥楶P鈥 as we affectionately called her, in the ACCN [Advanced Studies in Critical Care] program at Mount Royal. PP, with others in our program, shared hilarity during the noon hour (by) taking belly dancing classes and doing deep water running. We shared true camaraderie.
鈥淚鈥檝e known Paula in the nursing community since she came to Calgary. Paula has always been a mentor, a scholar to emulate and a gifted leader influential in developing others. (She) continues to inspire me to not only become a better person but a kinder and compassionate nurse.鈥
During Paula鈥檚 funeral service, the priest presiding over the service asked those in attendance to consider as they moved on with their lives, 鈥榃hat would Paula do?鈥
鈥That really stuck with me,鈥 Kathryn wrote. 鈥淚 believe when I ask myself that question, I will be more patient, loving and kind while still holding strong to values about our profession.
鈥淗er strength and integrity will be missed by so many.鈥