The Chair’s Award can be bestowed on any member at any level of the organization or to an associate who the Chair of the Board deems to have demonstrated outstanding voluntary services on behalf of the organization. 

Ann Durkee-MacIsaac has been selected for the 2025 Chair’s Award by Jacqueline Bloom, Co-Chair of the Board.

Ann Durkee-MacIsaac is a remarkable leader whose energy, compassion, and vision have left a lasting impact on Ostomy Canada Society (OCS) and the broader ostomy community across Canada. Action-oriented and results-driven, Ann leads with both empathy and determination. She is approachable and supportive, always ready to lend a hand or share her knowledge. At her core, Ann’s work is about helping people and circles of care “live life to the fullest.”

Her warmth and accessibility are balanced by her relentless drive to create meaningful change. She is a gifted coach and educator, whether explaining the value of programs like the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) or the Visitor’s Training Program (VTP), or guiding peers through governance and operational improvements. Family remains her grounding force, and her creativity shines in pursuits as varied as rug hooking, cooking, and even tending to her chickens—who seem to sense her leadership as much as colleagues do.

Leadership and Advocacy

Ann’s leadership has strengthened OCS at every level—local, provincial, and national. She has forged relationships with like-minded organizations, especially Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC), where she has spoken at multiple national summits and conferences. Through her persistence, several nurses have received bursaries to advance their training as SWANs and NSWOCs, helping ensure quality ostomy care in Nova Scotia.

She has also played a pivotal role on the NSWOCC–OCS Joint Advocacy Committee, pressing federal and provincial governments to improve access and funding for ostomy supplies. At NSWOCC National Conferences and provincial advocacy summits, Ann has become a respected and recognizable voice. Her presentation, “Patient Perspective – A Need for Better Access to Care,” has been delivered in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Alberta, moving audiences with honesty, humour, and hope.

Transformational Contributions to OCS

Within OCS itself, Ann has been a driving force behind innovations that strengthened both governance and outreach. Highlights of her legacy include:

• Helping secure transformational funding from new sponsors, including the Reciprocity Foundation.
• Supporting the development of the VTP into an online platform, expanding reach and impact.
• Advocating for a “Relationship Framework” to unify Chapters and Support Groups.
• Providing critical input into the redesign of the OCS website.
• Identifying key speakers for the national webinar series.
• Championing the DTC program with clarity and conviction.
• Supporting enhancements to OCS print and digital communications.
• Strengthening national awards programs and advocating for the acclaimed film STUCK.
• Championing camps as an essential support for young people with ostomies.

A Passionate Advocate and Ally

Ann is especially admired for her bold championing of NSWOCs and SWANs, often stating: “Ostomy surgery could be a positive experience if the patient is in the care of an NSWOC.” Her advocacy underscores the vital role of specialized nursing as both cost-saving and life-improving. She has paid tribute to these professionals with grace, including her heartfelt memorial to the late Shirley Sullivan, a pioneer NSWOC whose legacy Ann honoured with the help of her local peer support group.

Ann Durkee-MacIsaac’s unwavering dedication to advocacy, patient support, and organizational leadership has strengthened OCS and improved the lives of countless Canadians living with an ostomy. She is a fierce, fearless, and compassionate ambassador whose impact is felt in policy, education, peer support, and personal connection.

It is with deep admiration and gratitude that I select Ann for the Chair’s Award, recognizing her extraordinary voluntary service and profound contributions to the ostomy community.