Since graduating from the Nursing program at Durham College (DC) in 2004, Nicole Blackman has continued her academic path attaining both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Nursing degrees. She is now working towards completing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice.

While pursuing continuing academics, Nicole has been the recipient of a number of awards including a Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Aboriginal People’s Health scholarship, Aboriginal Health Careers award, and the University of Toronto President’s Award for Outstanding Native Student of the Year.

Following graduation from DC, Nicole worked as a registered nurse at Princess Margaret Hospital on the Medical Radiation Oncology unit. Upon completion of her master’s degree from the University of Toronto, she accepted a position as Director of Professional Practice for Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, a First Nation governed health authority located in the isolated James and Hudson Bay region of northeastern Ontario. After devoting more than five years towards improving Aboriginal health in Moose Factory and surrounding communities, Nicole returned to Durham Region and is currently in a leadership position with the Durham Region Health Department.