Board of Directors

Chad L. Doucet is an accomplished healthcare professional with administrative expertise. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the Université de Moncton, as well as New Brunswick certification in critical care. He has also completed a certificate in project management at McGill University.

His beginnings in critical care were mainly in emergency and intensive care. Over the course of his career, Chad has held a variety of leadership positions. He has served in university teaching and as faculty advisor for the New Brunswick Critical Care Nursing Program at the Université de Moncton. During periods of increased activity due to the COVID-19 pandemics, he was also responsible for the occupational health department and organizational development. He is currently Executive Director, Clinical Services and Professional Practice, Vitalité Health Network.

Chad is recognized for his academic and professional excellence, as evidenced by academic excellence awards at bachelor’s and master’s levels. He has also published scientific articles and is currently collaborating with several researchers in the province on projects aimed at improving health care in New Brunswick.

Outside his profession, Chad is a devoted father and husband. He enjoys music, cooking and running. What he’s most passionate about is creating an environment that fosters the development and success of the people around him.

president@nanb.nb.ca

Virgil Guitard has over three decades of experience in nursing, public health, and professional practice leadership. He has built a distinguished career advancing nursing standards and healthcare delivery in New Brunswick. A graduate of Université Laval with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Virgil began his career as a registered nurse, gaining extensive bedside experience across hospital sectors in New Brunswick and Quebec. Transitioning to public health, he contributed to community health initiatives, immunization programs, and school health, before serving as interim manager and director of Public Health Region 6, overseeing a wide range of regional programs.

From 2006 to 2019, Virgil served as Nursing Practice Consultant with the NANB gaining regulatory experience in both the Practice and Education Departments as well as Registration. In 2019, Virgil joined Vitalité Health Network, first as Coordinator and then Manager of Professional Practice, expanding his scope to include all health professions beyond medicine. Since 2022, he served as Director of Nursing, providing strategic leadership to strengthen professional practice, patient care quality, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the network.

Committed to lifelong learning, Virgil has pursued additional training in project management, management essentials, and investigative practices, reinforcing their capacity to lead with integrity, innovation, and a patient-centered focus.

Outside his profession, Virgil enjoys music, cooking, and camping. Collaborating is an element of nursing practice that he strongly supports.

Julie Émelie Boudreau, born in Dieppe, NB, graduated from the Université de Moncton, Campus Moncton in 2007 with a Bachelor in Nursing. She also earned a Master’s degree and a Specialized Graduate Diploma in Nursing from the University of Calgary in 2012. She has maintained certification in nephrology nursing since 2010, as well as certification as a nurse educator with the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing since 2018. She worked as a bedside nurse in the nephrology program at the Dr. George L. Dumont University Hospital from 2007 to 2010. She has held occasional positions in home care, in a level 3 long-term care home, and currently in an acute medicine unit at The Moncton Hospital. She has been a lecturer in nursing at the School of Nursing at the Université de Moncton, Campus Moncton, for more than 11 years. She has also been a mentor for the Canadian Nurses Association certification program since 2019, chairs the finance committee and is secretary-treasurer of her union, ABPPUM, at the Université de Moncton, Moncton Campus. Her clinical focus is internal medicine. Her research focus is simulation as a teaching strategy. Julie loves good laughs and is a creative and generous person. She takes care of her health by practicing yoga and weight training. She is a member of the 1000 Club at Peak Fitness. Her favorite hobbies are reading fiction-style detective thrillers by Lisa Jewell and Gilly Macmillan, and hiking in Fundy National Park. To relax, she likes going to the theater or watching movies with her husband. She loves Mediterranean cuisine.

Kathy Helpert is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Extramural Program (EMP) and supports nurses by promoting evidenced-based practice. She facilitates a Provincial EMP Clinical Practice Leadership group for EMP Skin and Wound care as well as acting as a Subject Matter Expert in the roll out of the CommunityCareNB electronic solution. Kathy has worked for 30 years at EMP and has worked as a staff nurse and as a manager prior to working in her current role.

Kathy completed her Master of Nursing from Athabasca University in 2013 while working full time and playing an active role in the lives of her teenage children. She values the importance of education and promotes education for the staff at EMP. She has assisted in the development of education modules for staff, participates in policy review, and acts as a Facilitator for EMP staff enrolled in the LEAP program from Pallium Canada. She recently obtained a certificate of completion from a Wounds Canada Institute Super Program #1 to increase her competency in wound prevention and care.

Kathy enjoys reading, walking and paddle boarding. She loves spending time with her four precious granddaughters and is very thankful that they live nearby.

Mélissa Duguay stands as a seasoned Clinical Nurse Specialist: Professional Practice with Vitalité Health Network, marking two decades of dedicated service in nursing since January 2004. Her journey encompasses a rich academic background, earning a BA in Nursing in 2004 and started her Master’s in Nursing in 2022.

Throughout her career, Mélissa has demonstrated versatility by contributing her expertise to various nursing realms, including Emergency, Concentrated Care, Extended Care, Medicine, and serving as a past Internship Instructor for UdeM. Her diverse roles also include positions as a Resource RN, involvement in Nursing Home Care Levels 3 and 4, and active engagement in Professional Practice.

Beyond her professional commitments, Mélissa is a devoted mother of three, embodying a vibrant and active lifestyle. Her love for the outdoors, passion for spinning, dedication to yoga, zest for travel, culinary pursuits, and cherished family time all reflect her multifaceted nature. Mélissa is driven by new challenges, embodying a spirit of perpetual growth and innovation in both her personal and professional life.

Sylvie Bernard, born in Eel River Crossing, in the north of the province, graduated from the Edmundston School of Nursing in 1986, earned a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1992 and a Master of Nursing degree in 2019, both from the Université de Moncton. She also obtained a certificate in adult education and a certificate in applied aging studies from the Université de Moncton.

She has worked as a nurse in various settings. From 2011 to 2023, she was a clinical nurse specialized in seniors at Vitalité Health Network. She was a volunteer and consultant for the Alzheimer Society of NB from 2012 to 2015, and returned to her volunteer role in 2023, organizing a 2^nd Walk for Alzheimer’s in the Campbellton area. 

Sylvie gave presentations on the role of the caregiver and white bereavement at The Summer Development School on Aging, Shippagan campus, Université de Moncton in 2017. She presented the results of her research on family caregivers of people with dementia in rural francophone settings at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Canadian Association on Gerontology.  

Sylvie was a Catholic catechetical educator in her region for 10 years. She has three children and three grandchildren, aged 3 years, 15 months and 11 months. She loves golf, nature, the ocean and travelling.

Sylvie currently works as a registered nurse in a primary care clinic in the Dalhousie area.

Élaine Albert, is a bilingual nurse leader with a strong track record in clinical care, emergency management, and healthcare leadership. Currently employed as Emergency Nurse Manager at Hôpital l’enfant jésus de Caraquet, she combines her passion for patient-centered care with extensive experience across diverse hospital settings.

Élaine began her career as a registered nurse in cardiac services at the Saint John Regional Hospital before moving into intensive medical-surgical care at the Georges-Dumont Hospital. She went on to practice in emergency departments at both the Tracadie Hospital and Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus in Caraquet, where she later advanced to Resource Nurse and Nurse Manager. In these roles, she demonstrated expertise in managing high-acuity cases, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring quality and efficiency in fast-paced environments.

Committed to continuous professional development, Élaine has pursued advanced training in areas such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), crisis intervention, and Lean Six Sigma (Yellow Belt). Her strong clinical foundation is matched by her ability to adapt quickly, manage complex workloads, and lead with empathy and integrity.

Élaine is passionate about nursing, always committed to her personal and professional development. When she is off the job, she likes to be in nature with her partner and daughter, sharing simple moments around outdoor activities and good cuisine.

Charis Lynch is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner based in Miramichi, NB. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2007 and her Master of Nursing in the Nurse Practitioner stream in 2011, both from the University of New Brunswick. Since then, Charis has been committed to providing exceptional primary care to long-term care residents in two local nursing homes.

Charis’s expertise in gerontology is highlighted by her Canadian Nurses Association Certification in Gerontology, achieved in 2018, and her LEAP certification in 2019. She is actively involved in advancing nursing practice through her role on the Nurse Practitioner Advisory Committee for Horizon Health and her participation on various committees within the nursing homes she serves. Charis is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of Nurse Practitioners and has guided numerous NP students as a preceptor.

Outside of her professional life, Charis values quality time with her family and friends. She and her husband take great pride in supporting their two daughters in their activities, whether on the soccer field, basketball court, or at music recitals. Balancing a rewarding career and a vibrant family life, Charis remains deeply committed to the well-being of her patients and her community.

Anne Caverhill is proud to be a public member sitting on the board for the Nurses Association of New Brunswick.

Anne’s educational background is in both law and social work and she spent a long career as a public servant combining both of these trainings primarily in policy, research, legislative reform and lastly as a Manager for Child Welfare. Although formally retired from Social Development, in Anne’s retirement”, she has worked as a Grief Counsellor with Family Services and currently, is teaching Law and Social Work at St. Thomas University. She is also an active member of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers and chaired the By Laws Committee when new legislation governing social workers was passed in 2019.

One area that Anne is most proud of was her work with nurses in both hospital and public health, to focus on a multi disciplinary approach to protect and service the most vulnerable in our community— infants and children. This approach led to in service training, Workshops, and regular meetings to address some of the systemic barriers that prevented effective care for infants and children at risk.

Anne is particularly proud of sitting on a board that works to ensure professional protection for the public. 

Claude G. Savoie was born in Fair Isle and lives in Pointe-A-Tom. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Université de Moncton and a master’s degree in social work from Université Laval. As a social worker, he has held several positions within the Department of Social Development. He served as Regional Director of the Acadian Peninsula and Bathurst area offices. Later, he was Provincial Director of Child and Youth Services at the head office in Fredericton. After 36 years of service, he retired in 2011.

He sits on the Board of Directors of Line Ferguson Residences, and was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Reserve Unit, and Honorary Aide-de-Camp to five Lieutenant-Governors of NB.  He was actively involved in the North American Association of Social Work Boards.  He was President of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers  (NBASW).

He received the Raoul Léger Award from the NBASW in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the social work profession, and the Recognition Award from the Canadian Association of Social Workers.  In addition, the Lieutenant-Governor awarded him the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee medals. He was also awarded the Viceregal Commendation. 

He enjoys practicing Tai Chi and playing guitar.

He is married to Carmen Godin. They have four children, a grandson and a great-grandson.

Candice Paul made history on July 15, 2004, as the first female Chief of St. Mary’s First Nation, serving an impressive seven terms. With over 38 years of service to the community, her roles included Band Manager for six years, Health Director for twelve years, and three terms as a Band Council member. Under her leadership, St. Mary’s became the second community in Atlantic Canada to adopt Health Transfer.

Her contributions to improving First Nations health are widely recognized. In 2006, she received the Chief Michael Augustine Award for her dedication to health advancement in Atlantic First Nation communities. She also served on the Horizon Health Board of New Brunswick for two years and represented New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on the National Chiefs Committee on Health for over a decade. Additionally, she was a member of the National Women’s Council for the Assembly of First Nations.

Chief Paul broke barriers as the first female Co-Chair of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat and was honored with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. She is currently a public Board member of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick and has served as the NIHB Navigator with Wolastoqey Tribal Council since May 2021.

Residing in St. Mary’s First Nation, Candice treasures time with her three grown children, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

A believer in resilience, she finds inspiration in Dee Hock’s quote: “It is from failure that all growth comes, provided you can recognize it, admit it, learn from it, rise above it, and then try again. Never give up.”