Hi my name is Rey Ann Carter, you can call me Ann. Im am so thrilled to be part of the AFNP Canada and help achieve the organization’s vision and mission. I work as an Advanced Practice Nurse and currently completing my Master of Science in Nursing at York University, with a thesis focus in gynecologic oncology.

I am a proud Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN). My professional journey from Personal Support Worker (PSW) to RPN, RN, and now APN has shaped my deep commitment to mentorship, representation, and equity in nursing. As a member of the newly formed IEN Committee at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, I draw on lived experience to share the unique challenges and opportunities internationally educated nurses go through in navigating nursing professional transitions. I am passionate about increasing IEN representation in leadership and academic settings and developing strategies that will strengthen the capabilities, confidence, and visibility of IENs across Canadian health systems. 

Dr. Carla Hilario (RN, PhD) is a nurse scientist with expertise in child and youth health.

 

She holds a primary appointment as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan and an adjunct appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta.

 

Her program of research addresses the structural and social determinants of young people's health, with a focus on improving mental health outcomes among under-resourced and equity-deserving groups

Arnel is an assistant professor at the Rankin School of Nursing, St. Francis Xavier University, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. His research portfolio reflects his expertise and passion for creating a more equitable and healthier world. He delves into vital topics such as the social determinants of health, public policy, and the political economy of health inequities, seeking to unravel the complex interplay of class, race, gender, and age dynamics.

 

His scholarly works on food security and sovereignty, housing insecurity and homelessness, and systemic inequities in health and healthcare systems have enriched the discourse in these fields. These endeavours demonstrate his profound commitment to ecological, societal, and human development.

​I am a PhD candidate in nursing at Dalhousie University. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Nursing and Master of Arts in Nursing in the Philippines. I have over a decade of experience in clinical nursing, nursing leadership and management, and health human resources.

 

Before pursuing my PhD, I served as the department manager of Nursing Resource and Support Services at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City, Philippines. I am currently engaged in several research projects focused on internationally educated nurses in Canada.

I am a Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator who completed my BSN in Canada at the University of Calgary in 1999. Born in the Philippines and raised in Canada, I bring a strong sense of cultural identity, adaptability, and community-mindedness to my practice. Growing up in a Filipino community instilled in me the values of service, resilience, and connection.

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My clinical experience includes pediatric step-down care, general pediatrics, and mental health. Since 2004, I have been a Nurse Educator at Aurora College in Yellowknife, NT, where I find great fulfillment in supporting and learning alongside BSN students.

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I am actively engaged in community service through leadership roles in cultural, cooperative, and faith-based organizations, reflecting my commitment to giving back.

I started my nursing journey in the Philippines, earning my BSN from Centro Escolar University and later completing my MSN in Adult Health at St. Paul University. My clinical background spans Emergency, Pediatrics, and Neuroscienc. Three areas that taught me to think fast, stay curious, and adapt to whatever walks through the door.

 

Eight years ago, my family and I moved to Canada and first settled in Montréal, Quebec, where we spent six years building our life and career. When an opportunity came up to become the Regional Clinical Nurse Educator for the Tłı̨chǫ Region, I took the leap and headed north. I’ve been in this educator role for over two years now, and I genuinely love the work. Supporting teams, building programs, and helping shape safe, culturally grounded care.

 

I’m someone who thrives on new challenges and trying new things, whether it’s a fresh teaching approach, a new project, or a big life transition. Growth keeps me energized, and I bring that same spirit into every space I work in.