Lakeridge Health Nurse Practitioner Appointed RNAO President-Elect

From her international health-care experience to building a second career as a nurse in Canada, “a passion for health care, equity, and social determinants of health” is what has always motivated Lakeridge Health Nurse Practitioner, Lhamo Dolkar.

Now, as the new President-Elect of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), Lhamo is eager to use her “wealth of experience to help even more people.”

Lhamo began her career as a homeopathic physician in India practicing in surgery and medicine in urban and rural communities, before immigrating to Canada in 2009.

“When I came to Canada, I knew I always wanted to continue my career in health care,” explained Lhamo. “Nursing appealed to me because of its wide scope of practice.”

Lhamo completed the Baccalaureate Program for Registered Nurses and then the Masters in Nursing combined with the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, both at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). She also holds a Cardiology Nursing certificate from George Brown College, and is completing a certificate in community engagement, leadership, and development from Toronto Metropolitan University.

As she has continued to advance her education, Lhamo has also worked across various sectors, including multidisciplinary clinics, group homes as youth counselor, acute care, long-term care, public health, and community health care.

In August 2022, Lhamo joined the Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) Clinic at Lakeridge Health. This NP-led clinic is staffed by a team of experts in geriatric care who work collaboratively to ensure seniors can live in their own homes safely and independently.

“I’ve been so fortunate to delve into so many different areas of practice,” Lhamo admitted. “My roles have allowed me to see how much nurses can impact someone’s life. It’s also been very fulfilling on a personal level. It makes you feel like there’s a focus to your existence.”

In tandem with her education and diverse work experience, Lhamo has been a “proud member” of RNAO since 2010. “RNAO’s value that health care is a basic human right is something that is in close alignment with my own personal values and beliefs,” Lhamo shared. “RNAO is committed to equity, inclusivity, diversity, and social justice and I believe these are the basic foundations of a health society and a healthy community.”

When deciding to put her name forward to become RNAO President, Lhamo explained that she felt she could make “an even more forceful impact” in a leadership position, “especially as a mid-career nurse.”

In her new role, Lhamo is committed to “continuing my advocacy work in primary care access, health equity, as well as nurse wellbeing.” She is especially thrilled to be part of Lakeridge Health as she assumes these new responsibilities.

“Lakeridge Health and the RNAO are both leading health-care organizations in their own right,” Lhamo said. “I’m excited to see how Lakeridge Health can leverage its excellence in care and continue to be leaders in health care in Durham Region in partnership with RNAO.”

“We are so lucky to have Lhamo’s leadership at Lakeridge Health and at a provincial level through RNAO,” said Petrina McGrath, Health System Executive, People, Quality, and Practice and Chief Nursing Executive. “I am looking forward to working with her in her new role as part of our efforts to be a workplace of choice and deliver the best care to our patients, residents, and clients.”

Lhamo will officially become President of RNAO in June 2024 following a year of mentorship by current President, Dr. Claudette Holloway.