Faculty: Central Zone RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program
Emilie O'Regan Martens, MN, RN
Emilie joined the RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program team in 2023 after several years with the Family Practice Nursing Education Program. Emilie holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Saint Francis Xavier University, in Physical Education (’97) and Nursing (’05), and a Master of Nursing degree from Dalhousie University (’22). As a nurse, Emilie has experience in the fields of perinatal and public health nursing, as well as in nursing education. Emilie is delighted to combine her passions for nursing and education within her role supporting the RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program and its learners.
902-471-0316 | Emilie2.Martens@nshealth.ca
Patrick Morrison-Bell, BScN, RN, ENP
Patrick graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He began his career in cardiothoracic surgery in 2004. In 2009, Patrick and his husband, Bryan, moved to Canada. He attended the Learning Institute (RNPDC at the time) to complete two specialty courses prior to being eligible to write the CRNE for licensure as an RN in Nova Scotia.
Patrick has practiced in cardiac surgery, general surgery, the emergency department, and more recently palliative care. From 2014 to 2018, he completed his post-RN BScN via distance learning at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Patrick has a strong interest in teaching and enjoys seeing learners evolve and achieve their goals.
In his spare time, Patrick enjoys camping with his husband and their two dogs, Harvey and Luna, in their trailer. They also love cycling around the HRM and farther afield on E-bikes (so much fun) and road tripping around our amazing province.
902-471-2983 | Patrick.Morrison-Bell@nshealth.ca
Alicia Gilchrist, BScN, RN, CCSNE, CCN(C)
Alicia joined the RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program in late 2023 after two years with the Simulation Learning team at the Learning Institute. Alicia completed a BScN from Dalhousie in 2010. Following graduation, she completed the Critical Care Nursing Program at the Learning Institute (formerly RNPDC). She spent much of her career in acute care cardiology, and she maintains CNA Cardiovascular Nursing Certification. Alicia enjoys mentoring and precepting in clinical practice. Her role as Critical Care Lead for CCU and Cardiology IMCU in the Halifax Infirmary ignited her passion for nursing education.
When Alicia transitioned into simulation education, she received Simulation Nurse Educator Certification. She’s excited to bring her simulation experience to the RN Bridging/Re-Entry program. She looks forward to engaging with learners in the labs and ensuring they get the most out of skills and simulation learning experiences.
Outside of work, she loves spending time making memories with her busy young family, gardening, crafting, camping and beach combing for sea glass.
902-456-5755 | Alicia.Gilchrist@nshealth.ca
Erin Gillis, BSc(Bio), BScN, RN, ENC(c)
Erin completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at St. Mary’s University in 2003, and then she took off to South Korea to teach English as a second language. While there, Erin discovered her passion for both teaching and immersing herself in new cultures. Erin then explored Europe for a couple of years before deciding in 2008 to return to Nova Scotia. She enrolled in the 3 Academic Year Accelerated Option for Nursing at Dalhousie University.
With her BScN in her pocket, Erin started her nursing career as a new graduate in the fast-paced Emergency Department of the Dartmouth General Hospital (DGH). She completed the Emergency Nursing Program through the Learning Institute (RNPDC at the time) and subsequently obtained her CNA Certification in Emergency Nursing. After 5 years in the ED, Erin was curious to see what happened to the critical ill patients after their emergency stay and joined the Intensive Care Unit at the same site. She remained there happily for 7 years until she felt the desire to return to her passion of teaching. Erin felt fortunate to be offered the Instructor I/II position at the Learning Institute and has started a Certificate in Adult Education through the Canadian College of Educators to prepare her for her new role.
In her spare time, Erin can be found getting her hands dirty in the garden, hiking with her crew, or trying to keep up with her two young children.
902-233-6379 | ErinC.Gillis@nshealth.ca
Kim Slack, BScN, RN, NSWOC
Kim (she /her) grew up in Montreal, Quebec, but the Maritimes were always home to her. Kim pursued her nursing education at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After moving to Nova Scotia, which she now considers home, Kim completed the NSWOC Specialty program and then practiced as a Wound and Ostomy Specialist in both acute care and community-based clinic settings in Nova Scotia. She was also a Clinical Instructor in Medical-Surgical Nursing at Saint Francis Xavier University.
Throughout her career, Kim gravitated to critical care nursing areas such as PACU, ICU, Emergency, and Hyperbaric Medicine, and eventually complex wound care and ostomy management. She considers it a unique privilege to have worked with Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A lifelong love of learning is prompting Kim to pursue a Certificate in Adult Education at Dalhousie University.
Kim has a passion for volunteering and has volunteered in various positions. One of her most cherished volunteer positions is with the Swim Nova Scotia community as a Stroke & Turn Judge, as she especially loves fostering a love of swimming in the summer swim program.
Kim has a passion for interior decorating, travel to tropical beach locales, podcasts, politics, hot yoga spending time with her children, and lake walks with her beloved and high-energy labradoodle, Justice.
902-717-5478 | Kim.Slack@nshealth.ca
Pronney Gabi, BSN, RN, ENC(c)
Pronney is an IEN from the Philippines. She graduated in 2007 with her BSN. Shortly after passing the boards, she worked as an ambulance RN, then transitioned to ED. After four years of working in the Philippines, she moved to Abu Dhabi with her husband and worked as an ED RN there before settling here in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Pronney graduated from the RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program at the Learning Institute in 2017. Her time as a learner fueled her dream to teach the program. She started her career as an RN with Nova Scotia Health in January 2018, working mostly in the ED (HI and CCHC). She obtained her CNA Certification in Emergency Nursing in 2023.
In her spare time, Pronney’s hands are full with her two young children. She loves hanging out with friends over food, coffee and play dates with kids.
902-719-7345 | Pronney.Gabi@nshealth.ca
Chloe Corkum, BScN, RN
Chloe earned her BScN from StFX in 2019, focusing on inpatient surgical nursing. Her affinity for Thoracic Surgery blossomed during her tenure at Toronto General Hospital, where she first discovered her interest in the service. Settling in at the VG, she pursued her love for nursing, but her innate teaching instincts soon emerged. Remembering her childhood antics of enforcing “summer school” on her siblings, Chloe sought to fulfill her teaching aspirations. In 2022, she began instructing at Dalhousie and NSCC, offering her students an engaging experience minus the excessive homework. She began a new journey with the RNBRP, merging her love for nursing and teaching in 2024.
Despite her enthusiasm for teaching, Chloe remains an avid learner, recently achieving her Adult Learning and CNA Med-Surg Certificate. She exemplifies her commitment to personal and professional growth.
During her leisure time, Chloe enjoys staying active through gym sessions, hiking, or sports. When not engaged in physical activities, she immerses herself in books of all kinds or plans her next adventure.
902-719-7374 | Chloe.Corkum@nshealth.ca
Hannah Lehman, BScN RN
Hannah joined the Learning Institute in Spring 2025 as an Instructor 1/2 in the RN Bridging and Re-Entry Program. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Dalhousie University in 2012 and after graduation started working on a cardiology unit where she then transitioned to the cardiology IMCU. From there, she took the Critical Care Nursing Program and began working in the Coronary Care Unit. After some time in CCU, she began working in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, her true passion, where she thrived working within the interdisciplinary team. She furthered her learning in the cath lab by training for specialty cases, such as TAVI and electrophysiology procedures. She also holds her Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate from the Canadian Nurses Association.
Hannah has been precepting new staff and students in each of her roles since the beginning of her career, so she is excited to support learners as an instructor in the RN Bridging Re-Entry Program.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys exercise, reading, baking and spending time with friends. She also has a husband, two young kids and a dog to keep her busy!
Program Administrative Officer: Central Zone RN Bridging/Re-Entry Program
Amy de Gannes
Amy joined the Learning Institute in 2022, providing administrative support to the specialty programs before joining the RN Bridging/Re-Entry team in her current role as a Program Administrative Officer.
Coming from a military family, Amy has lived in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario over the years, but has always considered Halifax to be home. She studied at both NBCC and NSCC and had been working as an Event Coordinator for several years before COVID.
Although she’s not a fan of flying, Amy is excited to do more travelling in the future. She has family living in Trinidad and Grenada and can’t wait for her next tropical getaway.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys reading, beach days with her husband, and working on costume designs for next Halloween!