Brenda Payne 

 

We spend an Invigorating evening listening and talking to Brenda Payne Executive Director at Ministry of Health. Coming from a large family she is child #6 and the first to leave her home town Montreal to pursue an education. Knowing since 12 years old she wanted to be a nurse she headed to Calgary where she completed her nursing degree in 1974. Her pursuit of higher education has taken her to London, Switzerland and back to London where she earned her Oncology degree. Having earned her Masters in Calgary, taught nursing in New Glasgow, CEO of 2 hospitals and for the past six years has held a position at Ministry of Health.

When Brenda entered the nursing field there were not may opportunities for women in the more male predominant jobs i.e. doctors. She feels this generation of women are more assertive with far greater opportunies for them. This could be why there are now more women then ever before enter the medical field.

Brenda is an all or nothing kind of gal, for instance she believes equal health care should be available to all regardless of what their income is, and this is a major passion of hers. This is such a wonderful thing to have someone so passionate about this subject and be in the position to speak for all of us. Another subject near and dear to her heart is helping children with learning disabilities.

Even with all of her accomplishments and outstanding abilities Brenda is in-tune enough with herself to know that her career is only one facet of who she is as a woman. She knows exactly where she wants to go in her life. One journey will take her to China in 2009 to run a marathon. Cutos to her for her dedication and commitment to such a physically challenging goal. We both felt strongly that this would be a goal Brenda will be achieving because she has the body, mind and spirit connection of an empowered woman.

When we asked Brenda if she had a message for other women she quoted “I’m so glad I am not a man”. When we stopped laughing we thought how true, funny and wonderful all at the same time. Brenda values her ability to listening to people and sincerely be interested in their stories. Some of her finest qualities are honesty, respect, sincerity, integrity and tolerance which are the same qualities she values in other women. Brenda also takes pride in her ability to allow individuals to be individuals, even during confrontations, each person involved walks away with their ego intact.

We can not thank Brenda enough for sharing with us who she is. She is such an example of what an empowered woman is and what so many women are trying to achieve. Our time with Brenda was a reaffirming experience that both of us that we are on the right path. It is always inspiring to see a woman who is true to their hearts desire and has struck a balance in their lives.