Local 115 Secretary
OHS Committee
Communications Committee Chair

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University in 2008. Upon graduation, I moved to Calgary where I obtained my very first nursing job at the Foothills Hospital. Over the past 13 years I have worked surgical oncology (unit 102), day surgery/ surgical short stay and urology surgery at the Rockyview General Hospital. I like to wear many hats. I currently hold a 0.42 FTE in Apheresis and a casual position in the Emergency Department at RGH, both of which I’ve worked for almost a decade. I have been an active member of Local 115 and held a position on the PRC Committee from 2015 until my maternity leave in May of 2019. After my maternity leave, I began instructing 1st and 2nd year nursing students at Mount Royal University and joined the OH&S committee. I am a strong advocate for safe and competent nursing care and care deeply about the health and wellbeing of my nursing colleagues.

Day Medicine
Communications Committee

I’m Rebecca Brown and I have been an RN for many years. I trained in the UK, graduating in 1992. I worked in many different hospital units and clinics before coming to Calgary in 2008. I started at FMC on Unit 102 and moved to my current unit, Day Medicine, in 2010.

I have been part of the OHS committee for the last 2 years. Outside of work, I’m one of the “Calgary Raging Grannies”, for whom I write many of the songs and play piano/keyboards in our recordings. Im also part of the “Mountains not Mines” action group. In the summer you will find me camping as much as I can. I look forward to bringing my passion for advocacy to the communications committee.

Unit 92, Short Stay Cardiology
Communications Committee

My name is Heather. The current state of healthcare has enticed me to explore the labor movement, seeking opportunities and optimism.

I was raised by a left wing horticulturalist Dad and coastal Californian Mom who modelled loving kindness. I grew up on the back of a horse in rural Alberta, along the saskatoon berry clad banks of the Bow, just upstream of Siksika Nation (Blackfoot Confederacy). I was transplanted between horticulture and the rural Alberta heartland of feedlot cowfolks. The unique lens that I view Alberta and its people is sculpted from the vantage afforded to me from the back of this tall Appaloosa, who taught me to trust my instincts and be prepared for what I can’t anticipate. I make a mean borscht that may have been the fuel of labor in the roots of my family tree.

I look forward to advocating for the support and resources that Nurses and more broadly, Albertans deserve. Ya know, it was unions that brought us the weekend…

I’m an elder millennial (but younger than Scarlett Johansson) who is not tech savvy unless you consider a sphygmomanometer tech. I have impostor's syndrome when it comes to Connect Care. I speak various Latino dialects of Spanish, that don‘t suffice for translating critical information with a patient but build a therapeutic relationship rapidisimo. My main love is cardiac sciences, but I’ve dabbled in the NICU and world of research. I’ve lived abroad, Nursed on an island, yet always come home to the expansive prairie sunset and family, of which I also consider one of my finest adult achievements (although my husband deserves credit here too). When I’m not toiling away at FMC, I might be found documenting wild flora of AB/BC, sleeping in a tent, riding a bike, or building vast lego complexes with my kids. One last thing, if you’ve made it this far, please, always, vote.

Mika Cating
Unit 47 Medicine
Communications Committee

I have always loved the flexibility of nursing as a career. It has given me the opportunity it has given me to try on & wear so many different hats and in turn learn so much from each one! Since graduating with my Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2018 I have a worked in a wide array of roles, from public health/well child, long term care, virtual care/telehealth, product development in the private health sector, and acute care. I now work as a Nurse Clinician on a Medicine unit at FMC. Nursing has also allowed me to be a part of the labour movement. For four years I served as the secretary/treasurer for UNA local 107, a position that I was initially “voluntold” to do but quickly fell in love with. After I stepped down from that position to focus on other things, I couldn’t completely stay away and I am now a local 115 ward rep and a communications committee member.

I am a strong advocate for safe and supportive workspaces. I believe that the union is a great tool for ensuring those workspaces remain healthy and we as workers are supported appropriately. I joined the comms committee because I deeply believe that information is power and that the visibility and accessibility of the union and the work we do plays a key role in ensuring we can reach as many people who need us and are as effective as we can be.  After all, we gotta look out for each other so we can spend more time enjoying the more important things in life. For me those things look like spending time with loved ones, eating my way through the world, 7AM workout classes, concerts in different cities and adventures with my dog. See you all around FMC!

Clinical Nurse Liaison, AKC
Communications Committee

Hello! My name is Al Perreault, and I have been involved with nursing unions for most of my nursing career. I was an active BCNU member with the Royal Colombian Hospital Local before moving to Alberta, where I reignited my union involvement with UNA Local 115 since 2001. I have been a ward rep, attended local and provincial AGM’s and DMS, and participated in many union activities. I’m currently on the UNA Local 115 Communications Committee.My background is in Electronics/Computer Technology/Informatics before changing careers to Nursing (Yes, a nerdy nurse!). When not working, I enjoy family time, playing guitar, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, landscape photography and going for walks with my cocker spaniels.

Stephanie Richards
Operation Room/Surgical Suite
Communications Committee

Fresh out of high school I was 1 of 12 to graduate from the Medicine Hat Colleges collaborative degree program. In 1998, I began my career in all things surgical and now after 27 years, 24 has been in the OR/PACU. I hold a 1.0 FTE.

My family and I moved from the Hat to Calgary in 2019 and other than the Covid years, we have loved every second. I knew FMC is where I wanted to work because of its acute and complex specialties for surgery.

United Nurses…what a beautiful thing. I just love our profession. Nurses are the pillar of healthcare, we are the patients voice. UNA was founded in 1977 and have petitioned, advocated and continued to strive for fair contracts for nurses. We ask for appropriate compensation and most importantly, the ability to provide the highest quality of safe patient care.

I have acted as a ward rep but wanted to become more informed and involved. I am thrilled to have been elected into the Communication Committee and look forward to engaging with as many local 115 members as possible. I love to talk but I also love to listen! Knowledge is power and I am happy to be a part of a committee that will bring important information on all platforms.

A little bit more about me! I am a wife and mother of two (16/18). Love to travel, gym addict, concert goer, love to entertain/plan events and look forward to every break chat!

Local 115 Vice President
FMC Unit 102 General Surgery
PRC Committee Co-Chair

I graduated from the University of Calgary in 2020, and began my first nursing job at the Rapid Access Unit (RAU) at the South Health Campus, from South Health Campus I went north to Rural communities where I worked a variety of roles. I became involved with the union as a Vice-President, then when I transferred hospitals I became a Secretary -Treasurer for Local 86. I have since relocated again, back to Calgary where I work on Unit 102 General Surgery. Now I am proud to be a Young Workers Caucus Co-Chair both for UNA and the AFL, a Unit Ward Rep and a member / Co-Chair of the PRC Committee.

When I was student on RAU, I was very fortunate to have a Preceptor that championed hard for improved patient care, and even harder for her co-workers and their rights. During my time as a student, I had my first experience with PRC's and the process of submitting one, I also experienced my first PRC "win". A Care for the Suicidal Patient one-day course was held for unit staff to assist in our ability to care for Short Stay Mental health patients. This win came from many PRC's and RLS' long before I arrived as a student - but I was extremely fortunate to witness it. Since then, I have been a fierce advocate for PRC's and the drive to improve care standards and Employee working conditions. I am very much looking forward to working for the Membership and I am eager to expand my knowledge base. Please reach out!

Operating Room
PRC Committee

I graduated from Université de Moncton (New Brunswick) in 2015. I worked in the area on medical-surgical/Palliative Care units while being a ward representative with the union (NBNU) until 2018. 

 In late 2018, I relocated to Calgary and joined AHS. My career with them has seen me through multiple high-acuity areas: Labour and Delivery at FMC, Emergency Nursing at PLC and Urgent Care at SMCHC, all during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2024, I was selected for the Peri-Operative program at FMC and hold a 0.84 temporary line with them since. 

I started getting involved with UNA in 2022 when I became a ward representative. This experience deepened my understanding of collective agreement interpretation, demand setting meeting, know your rights and PRC advocacy. I am thrilled to take a more active role with the union as a member of the PRC committee and look forward to it. 

 Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoor for skiing, hiking, camping, playing soccer and golfing. As well as spending time with my partner, three step-children and my German Shepherd. I love exploring Calgary and trying new things! 

FMC Emergency Department
PRC Committee

I graduated from MRU in 2015 and started my career in Psychiatry at RGH where I still work casually! I also started working in rural Alberta where I fell in love with Emergency Nursing. From there, I worked on an MTU unit, did my ACCN and worked at PLC ER. I moved to FMC ER in June of 2022! I have sat on the PRC committee for a few years now and am just joining the OH and S committee. I love the opportunity to connect with fellow nurses and work towards solutions for improved patient care and workforce safety. Compassionate and competent care is something I am passionate about and I see it exemplified every day by the nurses that I work with and encounter both in the ER and in my roles in the UNA. I am so proud to stand in solidarity with fellow nurses.

In my spare time, you can find me hiking, rock climbing, playing baseball, snowboarding, riding my motorcycle, reading or trying something new. In 2020, I started this thing where I try one new thing a month that I’ve never done before or that intimidates me. So far, I have tried many new things (including pottery/hip hop dance class/boxing), some of which I liked, some of which I didn’t but grateful for the experience! I encourage everyone to try it. Next up, sky diving!

If you ever get an email or phone call from me, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! Keep rocking on Nurses!

FMC Unit 36 Medical
PRC Committee

I started my nursing career in late 2017 after completing my Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Calgary. Prior to pursing nursing, I completed a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. Since graduating, I have worked on the Medical Teaching Unit at Foothills, as well as Canadian Blood Services.

My union journey began when I attended my first meeting for Local 411 (Canadian Blood Services) and walked out as the treasurer of our Local - I was really just there for the snacks! From there my interest in UNA grew, and I continuously looked for more opportunities to participate in union work. I am passionate about workplace safety and patient outcomes. The PRC committee allows me to work with my fellow RNs and advocate for change through the PRC process.

I am a strong believer in work-life balance; in my free time, I enjoy travelling, eating good food, and spending time with family and friends.

FMC Unit 51 Maternity Care
PRC Committee

I am from Vietnam. My background is in Dentistry but I only completed 4.5 years in a 6 years DDS program when I joined my family to come to Canada. Then I studied nursing at the University of Calgary and graduated with a BScN degree in 1995. I have been working in the Maternity Care Centre, Unit 51, at the FMC since.

I joined the Local 115 PRC Committee in December 2020 to ensure patient safety is the priority from all units and how to improve working conditions to all staff. I am happy to see the changes and improvements so far as the results of the PRC reports and resolutions!

Unnit 51 Labor and Delivery
PRC Committee

I completed my diploma in nursing and midwifery in 2001 at Lombard Memorial Hospital in Karnataka, India. 

For the next few years, I worked at the Father Mullers Medical College Hospital in Mangalore, India in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Orthopedic Unit, and General Surgery Unit. 

From 2003 until 2006, I worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at the Al Mouwasat Hospital in Damian, Saudi Arabia.

It was in 2006 that I got married and joined my spouse in Dubai, where I worked for 3 years as a Labor and Delivery Nurse in AlRafa Hospital in Dubai, UAE.

Since 2009, I have been working full-time as a Labor and Delivery RN in U51 at the Foothills Medical Centre. I had my daughter and son in 2011and 2014 at FMC. 

I completed my RN BN degree via the Athabasca University while working full time in September 2024.  

In 2024, I became a Ward Rep and attended workshops and meetings, and including the UNA AGM. In November 2024, I was elected as a member of the PRC Committee. I look forward to my role on the PRC committee, prioritizing patients and their safety.

I am truly grateful to UNA for giving me this opportunity to partake in union activities.