Sheila Early, a pioneering figure in Canadian forensic nursing, has been appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of her transformative contributions to health care, education and the justice system, marking a milestone for a profession she helped create and legitimise nationwide.
The Order of Canada, presented by the Governor General, is regarded as the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System and recognises outstanding achievement, dedication to community service and contributions to the nation. Early’s appointment reflects more than three decades of work supporting survivors of violence while reshaping how forensic health care is delivered and understood across Canada.
In 1992, Early co-founded British Columbia’s first Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at Surrey Memorial Hospital. At the time, the concept of nurses conducting forensic sexual assault examinations was still emerging in Canada. Two years later, in 1994, she became the first registered nurse in British Columbia to perform a sexual assault exam, setting a precedent that would influence policy, training and clinical practice across the province.
What followed was a series of professional firsts that extended far beyond hospital walls. Early went on to create Canada’s first classroom-delivered forensic health sciences certificate program at British Columbia Institute of Technology, providing structured, post-secondary education for a discipline that previously lacked formal academic pathways. She also co-founded the Canadian Forensic Nurses Association, helping establish a national voice for forensic nurses and a professional framework that continues to guide practice today.
“Sheila didn’t just build a program, she built a profession,” says Nurse Practitioner Hannah Varto. “She shaped generations of nurses. I’m one of them. Sheila saw potential in a new and eager nurse and helped me grow into a new role, a nurse practitioner and researcher specializing in forensic health care. Her Order of Canada is a reflection of the impact she has had on those who work with survivors of violence and a testament to the thousands of survivors whose care has been transformed by her vision.”
Early’s influence extended into the legal and justice systems, where she worked to bridge gaps between health care, law enforcement and the courts. In addition to her clinical work, she dedicated significant effort to training police officers, prosecutors and legal professionals on trauma-informed responses to violence, emphasising empathy, professionalism and survivor-centred care.
“Sheila’s work as a sexual assault nurse examiner and forensic nurse has had an extraordinary impact on the lives of countless victims of sexual violence,” says former Crown Prosecutor Winston Sayson. “The thousands of individuals who received comfort, dignity and expert care as a direct result of her work bears testament to the difference she has made.”
From a business and policy perspective, Early’s career highlights the long-term economic and social value of specialised health care roles. Forensic nursing has reduced pressures on emergency departments, improved evidentiary standards in criminal proceedings and contributed to more effective outcomes across health and justice systems. Her work also laid the foundation for sustainable professional pathways, helping institutions recruit, train and retain specialised nursing talent.
“It’s a true honour to receive this award,” says Early.
Now retired from frontline nursing, Early views her Order of Canada not as a conclusion, but as recognition of both past achievements and future potential for the profession. She continues to advocate for broader recognition of forensic nursing within mainstream health care, education and justice systems.
“I see this recognition of forensic nursing as an opportunity for forensic nursing to break the still existing barriers in mainstream health care, post-secondary education and the legal/justice systems. After 30+ years the systems are hesitant to see the full potential of forensic nurses in all the subspecialties that are included in the scope and practice of forensic nursing.”
Her appointment comes at a time when trauma-informed care and interdisciplinary collaboration are increasingly recognised as essential components of effective public services. For many in the field, Early’s recognition signals not only personal achievement, but national validation of forensic nursing as a critical and evolving discipline.
As Canada continues to address issues of violence, access to justice and survivor support, Early’s legacy stands as a reminder of how individual leadership can drive systemic change — and how a profession built from the ground up can reshape care for generations to come.
