Helen Mussallem


Dr. Helen Kathleen Mussallem, Ed.D, CC, FRCN, DGStJ was a noted, decorated Canadian nurse, who served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during World War II.

Life

Born in Prince Rupert, British Columbia to Solomon and Annie Mussallem, both of Lebanese descent, Mussallem studied at the School of Nursing, Vancouver General Hospital from 1934 to 1937. Between 1943 and 1946, she served as a surgical nurse and lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during World War II. In 1947, she attended McGill University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She received her Master's of Arts in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and was the first Canadian nurse to earn a doctoral degree from Columbia University. From 1963–81, she was Executive Director of the Canadian Nurses Association. From 1989–91 she was the President of the Victorian Order of Nurses.

Death

Mussallem died in Ottawa at the age of 97 on 9 November 2012.

Honours