Hello, my name is Dotty I. Nicholas. I am a mother, a grandmother, a community leader, and a dedicated advocate for Sickle Cell awareness. In recognition of my exceptional contributions at provincial, national, and international levels to the Sickle Cell Community, I was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada on December 29th, 2021.
I commenced my nursing career in Kingston, Jamaica, in April 1971. Over the years, I have worked in various nursing capacities, including Medicine, Surgery, and the Operating Room, at institutions such as Isaac Barrant Hospital, Kingston Public Hospital, and St Joseph Roman Catholic Hospital.
In 1989, I immigrated to Canada and served as a full-time pediatric nurse at the Rouge Valley Health System (Centenary site), now known as The Scarborough Health Network (SHN), for twenty-six years.
In 1998, collaborating with the program general manager of the Women and Children’s Health program and a nursing colleague, I initiated the Sickle Cell Task Force. This effort led to the establishment of the first Sickle Cell satellite clinic at the Rouge Valley Health System in November 2002, where I subsequently served as the clinical nurse specialist until 2013.
Prior to the Satellite clinic, I was awarded a Clinical Practice Fellowship by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to deepen my knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease and its treatment. By the time of my retirement in 2013, approximately 125 patients were under my care. I continued to work as a staff casual nurse in the Sickle Cell Satellite Clinic until 2019.
I dedicated a significant part of my life to serving the Sickle Cell community. As the president of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario (SCAO), I actively participated in legislative meetings at the Ontario Legislature and City Hall, advocating for expanded newborn screening for Sickle Cell Disease. This initiative, successfully granted in 2006, has resulted in the diagnosis of over 75 babies annually in 2023.
In 2004, I established the Sickle Cell Parent Support Group at the Rouge Valley Health System (Centenary Site), providing parents with a platform for mutual support. I collaborated with the Toronto District School Board, educating teachers on Sickle Cell Disease. I also created the Sickle Cell Passport, adopted by numerous programs in the United States. Additionally, I continue to organize an annual Christmas party for Sickle Cell patients and their siblings at the Scarborough Health Network (Centenary Site).
As a former member of the Canadian Blood Services Regional Liaison Committee, I actively participated in the "For Us About Us" initiative. I collaborated with Rhema Christian Ministries to host annual blood drives.
I am a former Vice President of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario and a founding member of the SCDAC (Sickle Disease Association of Canada). From 2012 to 2016, I served in the capacity of Vice-Chair of the SCDAC, overseeing the Governing Document and Policy Committee, where I played a pivotal role in writing many of the organization's policies.
On my 65th birthday, I established the Dotty Nicholas Sickle Cell Scholarship Fund Association, an initiative providing support to young adults with Sickle Cell Disease pursuing higher post-secondary education. To date, I have awarded 50 scholarships, totalling sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000).
Ministerial Designations:
- 2023, Masters of Theology, Canada Christian College and School of Theological Studies, Toronto.
- 2015-2022, Associate Pastor, Rhema Christian Ministry, Toronto.
- 2013, Ordained Pastor, Canada Christian College and School of Theological Studies.
- 2013, Bachelors of Theology, Canada Christian College and School of Theological Studies, Toronto.
- 2006, Ordained Elder, Rhema Christian Ministries, Toronto.
- 2003, Ordained Evangelist, New Jerusalem Church of God In Christ, Baltimore, USA.
- 1998, Ordained Missionary, New Life Assembly INC., Georgia, USA.
Awards:
- 2021, Lifetime Achievement Award – Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada.
- 2017, Excellence of Scarborough Award — SNAPD Excellence of Scarborough.
- 2014-2016, Chair, Governing Document And Policy Committee SCDAC.
- 2012, Nursing Leadership Award — Rouge Valley Health System (Centenary Site).
- 2012-2016, Vice-Chair, Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada.
- 2011-2015, Vice President of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario.
- 2010, Humanitarian Award of Excellence — Seed of Life Philanthropic Organization.
- 2008, Award of Merit, Nursing Leadership — Sickle Cell Miracle Network.
- 2002-2013, Nurse Clinician, Sickle Cell Satellite Clinic (Full Time).
- 1989-2002, Staff RN, Rouge Valley Health System (Centenary Site).
- 1981-1989, Staff RN, St Joseph Roman Catholic Hospital, Kingston Jamaica.
- 1978-1981, Staff RN, Kingston Public Hospital, Kingston Jamaica.
