Honouring the Impact of Darlene Inglis through the Darlene Inglis Award for Leadership
Darlene Inglis is an extraordinary colleague, talented healthcare provider and dear friend to many at the IWK. Throughout her four decades at IWK Health, Darlene was the backbone of the Women’s and Newborn Health Program, where she worked in the Special Care Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and most recently as Director of Women’s and Newborn Health.
To honour Darlene’s immeasurable impact, Friends of Darlene Inglis are creating an endowment fund to celebrate their incredible colleague and friend. The Fund will be directed to The Darlene Inglis Award for Leadership in improving care for mothers, babies, children and/or youth and families through the lens of a family-centred care philosophy. The annual award will honour an individual who exemplifies the attributes of Darlene Inglis and will be accompanied by funds which the awardee may use to facilitate learning (of themselves or others).
“It is a profound honour to have an endowment established in one’s name—especially one that recognizes leadership. As a registered nurse for nearly 40 years, I had the privilege of caring for individuals and families during moments that revealed their vulnerability, strength, and growth. What I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about formal titles. It’s about service, compassion, and being present in a way that helps others feel supported, seen, and valued,” says Darlene.
“Some of the most impactful leaders I’ve known never held official titles. They taught me the importance of doing the right thing, especially when it’s the hardest thing to do.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside mentors, colleagues, patients, and families who have shaped me—who showed me that leadership is not something you do, but something you live. Thank you for seeing that spirit in me. It means more than I can say.”
To learn more about Darlene and her incredible impact at the IWK, please click here.