Briar Moore didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life when she graduated high school. Like so many of us, it took a lot of trial and error to discover her true passion. She had explored Early Childhood Education and Office Administration, but neither was the right fit. Little did she know that her tribulations in life would ultimately lead her down a path to happiness and fulfilment.
Despite having coped with multiple health conditions throughout her life, none were as critical as her primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) diagnosis. Briar had to abandon her Office Administration course due to her chronic liver disease, but the experience ultimately set her on the course to discovering her true passion in life.
While she was in the hospital, Briar maintained her good humour and friendly, outgoing nature connecting with the nurses providing her care. Her experience as a patient inspired her to pursue a new path, driven by her desire to ensure others received the exceptional care she had received. Motivated by her lifelong health challenges, she decided to leverage her experiences to improve the healthcare system, turning what could have been a traumatic experience into a journey of transformation, self-discovery and inspiration. She enrolled in Pre-Health followed by Nursing at Georgian College and graduated as a registered practical nurse (RPN) in 2013.
“I fell in love with it!” she states passionately, her eyes sparkling. “I never even considered nursing before, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Briar’s personal experiences deepened her empathy, enhancing her abilities as a nurse. She now possesses a profound understanding of her patients’ experiences and can offer valuable insights to those undergoing the same tests and assessments she once endured.
Although she began her career in long-term care, Briar’s desire to work in a hospital and further her education led her to take an oncology course and complete a perioperative program with some financial support from WeRPN. She then worked as a scrub nurse in the OR at Niagara Health.
Briar now serves Niagara Health as an RPN in outpatient oncology, where she is affectionately known as ‘The Cookie Girl’ for her warm gesture of regularly offering cookies to patients undergoing chemotherapy. Her cheerful and outgoing nature, combined with her great sense of humour, helps bring smiles to her patients’ faces. By sharing cheesy jokes and providing exceptional care, Briar goes above and beyond to make the challenging treatment process slightly more tolerable.
Briar recently embarked on a new leadership journey, leading nearly 2000 nurses, PSWs, housekeepers, porters, pharmacy techs and more as the Chief Steward with SEIU Healthcare for all Niagara Health sites. A dedicated advocate for RPNs, she actively engages with MPPs on the realities nurses face and was part of the Central Bargaining process through the Ontario Health Association (OHA) where she championed safe nursing ratios for Ontario hospitals. Briar is also a member of Niagara Health’s Health and Safety and Nursing Advisory Committees and also represents persons with disability on the SEIU Healthcare Executive Board.
In addition to her professional roles, Briar also manages to find time to run a health supplements company with her husband, showcasing her remarkable ability to balance multiple roles effectively.
This dedicated RPN is passionate about advocating for people with disabilities, especially those with invisible illnesses, including mental health issues. “I hope to make a difference for people with disabilities,” she says. “We often recognize physical disabilities, but it’s harder to see when someone with an invisible illness is struggling. Oftentimes, these people are just putting on a brave face, but you never know what someone is dealing with on the inside.”
Despite her strong passion for advocating for nurses, Briar is eager to return to her previous position in Niagara’s oncology unit.
“I really miss it!” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to care for someone during the most difficult fight of their life.”
While many of Briar’s patients triumph over cancer and go on to lead fulfilling lives, she also provides compassionate care to those facing advanced stages of the disease. Although she acknowledges the challenges of caring for individuals in these circumstances, Briar finds deep satisfaction and solace in bringing comfort and support to them and their families, helping them navigate this difficult journey with dignity and grace.
Briar’s passion for her profession is unmistakable, and her story is truly remarkable. She has overcome obstacles and transformed her hardships into a profound purpose. Her journey through self-discovery and resilience, including overcoming a high-risk pregnancy, has made her a stronger woman, mother and nurse, not to mention a survivor. With this strength, she is sure to accomplish incredible things throughout her career, continuing to provide exceptional care for her loved ones and her patients.