Marnie Colborne, STTI’s newest United Nations (UN) youth representative, is very accomplished in only 21 years of life. An undergraduate student at the University of Alberta and member of STTI’s Mu Sigma Chapter, Marnie is one of eight students in her class to be enrolled in the honors program at her university. In addition to being president of the Nursing Undergraduate Association, Marnie is a tremendous advocate for older adult health. She recently conducted a research study focusing on improving older adult health in acute care while raising awareness of the importance of undergraduate student involvement in research. Marnie is expected to graduate in 2017 with an Honors BScN degree.
Marnie has always had a passion for giving back to her community and serving others. In addition to being a volunteer Zumba and rhythmic gymnastics coach for Special Olympics Edmonton, she is also working with a group to turn the Uganda Partnership into a non-governmental organization (NGO), with the goal of building a health clinic and a mobile health clinic in the community.
Marnie’s dedication to the profession and interest in global healthcare make her a great candidate for STTI’s UN youth representative. “Being a part of an organization such as the United Nations is a rare chance, especially as a 21-year-old,” Marnie says. “I am very interested in global health and look forward to expanding my own definition as well as engaging individuals locally and internationally through STTI towards our mission of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals!”
As a UN youth representative, Marnie will represent STTI at UN events, programs, and activities. Due to STTI’s special consultative status with the UN, STTI is committed to disseminating information and raising public awareness of UN activities and related issues of global concern. Marnie will share the information she learns from the UN activities with STTI’s global initiative department so that STTI can continue to fulfill its mission of advancing global health.
When asked what global healthcare means to her, Marnie says “Global healthcare means working in a capacity to improve and achieve equity in health for populations globally. This could be done in many ways such as through practice, research and education or within specific roles of an organization. At this moment in my life it means influencing and motivating those around me to take initiative in their own communities.”
To learn more about STTI’s work with the United Nations, visit www.nursingsociety.org/global.