The world of wound care loses an inspirational leader! A special editorial – in memory of Donalyn Hyland, RN (1951–2009)

L to R: Gary Sibbald, Donalyn Hyland, Luc Teot. It is with great sadness that I have to write this editorial and dedicate it to a nurse who was both a work colleague and personal friend, not only to me but also too many in our wound care family. Donalyn passed away in the early hours of Wednesday 4th November after a brave battle with cancer. Ms Hyland was given a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for her services to Market Development & Education, at the recent World Union meeting in June 2008 and she is pictured above with Professor Gary Sibbald (President, WUWHS) and Dr Luc Teot (Past President, WUWHS) after receiving her award. Prof. Gary Sibbald, President World Union Wound Healing Societies, recalls ‘the World Union had no hesitation in awarding Donalyn Hyland the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her significant contribution to wound care in North America. Industry has its part in the development of wound care as a clinical specialty and its dedicated individuals like Donalyn that ensure their contribution’. Ms Hyland was an executive healthcare professional with extensive healthcare management and clinical nursing experience. Originally form Montréal, Canada; her early career experience was working as a nurse in critical care, burns, and clinical teaching. ‘Donalyn was one of the most intelligent, generous and skilled wound, ostomy, continence nurses I have ever known. She had a magic touch with patients and colleagues. She will be missed by all’. recalled Paula Erwin-Toth, RN, MSN, ET, CWOCN, CNS; Director, Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Education, Cleveland Clinic, USA. After nursing, her career changed direction as Donalyn joined ConvaTec with responsibilities, in both wound and ostomy care, in sales and marketing, medical communications, medical marketing, and clinical education in ConvaTec, both in Canada and laterally the USA. Other leaders in the world of wound care pay tribute to this empowering individual: Mr Dave Johnson, CEO of ConvaTec remembers Donalyn Hyland as ‘an individual who represented the pure essence of ConvaTec's Mission Statement: “With imagination and Inspiration, We Make a Difference in People's Lives”. Her loyalty to her customers was unwavering, always thinking about the patient first. Her laughter will be sadly missed; but her spirit; her dedication; her loyalty; and her commitment to better patient care, will live on at ConvaTec for many years to come’. Cathy Harley, Executive Director, Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy (and Former Director of Global Development for ConvaTec), recalls ‘Donalyn was pivotal in ConvaTec's market development and education efforts across North America and never lost that clinical drive throughout her long and distinguished career’. Peggy Dotson, President of Healthcare Reimbursement Strategy worked with Donalyn from her earliest years at ConvaTec and says ‘I was so lucky to know her and experience her passion for patients and her insistence that they get the very best care available for their wounds or ostomy. She inspired me as a nurse, as a colleague, and as a friend. Her unrelenting devotion to ensure professionals knew how to provide quality care was inspiring to me and anyone who came in contact with her’. Heather Orsted, (Former President of Canadian Association of Wound Care), salutes Donalyn's great contribution to wound care in Canada. ‘Donalyn was a great mentor to both clinicians and industry alike, displaying passion, humor and integrity. She made you want to be better, no matter what your focus: sales, researcher, clinician or educator. We have lost a great wound care warrior, whose laughter will now brighten another place’. ‘No one can even begin to count the lives that Donalyn has touched with her professional life and her personal mission. I have never known a more dedicated, generous and kind individual and count it a privilege to be able to have been her friend. She loved life, always brought a smile wherever she went, and fought as hard as she could to hold on to that life. She will be sorely missed’ recalls Vickie Schafer, RN, MSN, CWOCN, CCRA, ConvaTec. My personal reflection: During my time with ConvaTec as the Marketing Director for the USA, I had the great pleasure to work with Donalyn Hyland and enjoyed both her tremendous sense of humour and her dedication to teaching others about wound care. Her passion was obvious and infectious. Her contributions to wound care both in Canada and the USA were significant and for that the world of wound care is truly grateful. Contributions of this magnitude allow us as wound care professionals to fulfill the expectations of our patients and as such benefit mankind. I was personally honoured to know Donalyn and I will miss her. Donalyn–Rest in Peace. You will be sadly missed, but heaven will be a brighter place full of your heart felt passion and laughter. Dr Douglas Queen Editor, International Wound Journal

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