Lynn Robertson, CHE, has worked in several rewarding roles as a healthcare professional. Lynn’s career began as a Registered Nurse, working in Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care. She explains that this experience taught her more about the importance of compassion and how to weather horrendous life events. As a Registered Nurse, Lynn also learned “the importance of self-care and how little there was in place to help other health professionals stay psychologically healthy.” After about twelve years, Lynn switched career paths to the Occupational Health Nursing field, where she worked for over twenty years. “This was the perfect way I could help care for workers and keep them healthy and productive on the job. This work has had such a positive influence on my career and life.” As a lifelong learner, Lynn has earned many credentials, including a Master in Nursing, the Certified Health Executive designation, and is currently completing a Master in Business Administration.
When asked about her greatest accomplishment as a health leader, Lynn shares her recent achievements with the Alberta Occupational Health Nurses Association (AOHNA). As the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Association, Lynn worked with her team to update their practice standards, competencies, and disability management reference documents. “It’s important to note that the AOHNA is the sole authority for occupational health nursing in Alberta. The Canadian Occupational Health Nursing Association recently adopted our documents as the national standard. Now, occupational health nurses in Canada can access these documents and use them in their work settings”.
Lynn explains that as her leadership skills and abilities developed throughout her career, she wanted to become more strategically involved in the healthcare industry. Lynn joined the Canadian College of Health Leaders, and received her Certified Health Executive designation in 2020. In recognition of her contributions to her chapter, Lynn was selected by the Northern Alberta Chapter as the recipient of the 2024 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service. “Being able to have involvement with the advancement of the chapter and with new and emerging leaders is critical to the future health of the healthcare system. It’s important to lend your experience and expertise whenever possible in order to find new ways of leading and create new opportunities for up-and-coming leaders”.
Lynn’s advice for aspiring health leaders is to be a risk taker. She voices the importance of always taking an opportunity to participate and collaborate, especially with little experience in the field. “Leaders never finish learning and improving, and a big part of stretching leadership expertise is to surround themselves with leaders and colleagues that can mentor and support them. That’s where the College is an excellent resource. The webinars, networking and the Circle are perfect places to gather virtually with leaders that will support their growth”.
One of Lynn’s most valued life lessons for leaders is to ask for personal feedback. “Yes, there’s a chance you’ll hear things that aren’t favourable, but at least you’ll know and can do something about it. On the other hand, you may hear some really great things that will give you greater job satisfaction. Hearing the good and the bad are essential to becoming a great leader. Embrace it!”
