By: Jim Judd – Kelowna
Somalilandsun – Kimberly Law, a graduate nurse from Penticton, will head for Somaliland later this summer where she is volunteering her time and nursing skills as part of Nurses for Edna, in The Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland,
Local residents, well-wishers and supporters can join the Penticton nurse next Saturday, June 29 at The Barley Brew Mill Pub in Penticton for an evening of fun and music for a great cause.
All proceeds will be dontated towards deferring the cost of Law’s foray into Somaliland. Door prizes begin at 5PM, Food (beef, chicken and veggies burgers) at 6PM and live music begins at 8PM.
The first Nurses for Edna medical mission is being assisted by the generous support of Barcos Nightingale’s Foundation as well as individuals donors and fund raisers held by the nurses.
Law already has a history of helping and volunteering. She graduated from University of Northern British Columbia in 2009 and began her nursing career at Penticton Regional Hospital in the areas of obstetrics and pediatrics. In the fall of 2012 she completed her nursing specialty in perinatal nursing through the British Columbia Institute of Technology, as well as certificates in contraception management and sexually transmitted infections management.
These certificates allowed Law to obtain certified practice in reproductive health. She utilizes the advanced practice in providing reproductive health care at the Kelowna Women’s Services Clinic as and options for sexual health. She is currently in training for the Penticton Regional Hospital’s sexual assault response team.
“There seems to be a women’s health theme running through most everything I do.” Law said.
She first became an active volunteer while in nursing school. She took an active part in the community health initiative by northern university and college students (CHINUCS), a student-run organization that developed outreach programs for marginalized populations in Prince George. Law also travelled with international student volunteers to Thailand, and worked in an animal rehabilitation and community education center.
In 2012 Law traveled to Liverpool, United Kingdom to obtain a professional certificate in emergency obstetrical care and newborn care, as well as her diploma in tropical nursing, taking a step towards her long standing goal of contributing to global healthcare.
When asked to speak about her upcoming medical mission, Nurses for Edna, Law said, “I appreciate the support from both Barcos Nightingales Foundation and One Nurse At A Time. I see this first trip to Somaliland as one of personal growth. I want this project to be long term. I’m passionate about women’s health and global health.
“The way I see it, what we need to do first, is see what they are doing there and what they need done<” she continued. “I believe you can’t do short-term solutions for long-term goals and I see this medical mission of Nurses for Edna to be a long-term project,”
