Heather Davison Shantz worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Calgary from 2001 - 2018.  During that time she was part of the Palliative Care Consult Teams at Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, and Community. She considered it a privilege to spend time with families facing end of life and was passionate about mentoring and teaching others.

When she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer early in 2019, the leaders of the Palliative and End of LIife Portfolio in the Calgary Zone of Alberta Health Services honoured Heather by suggesting the launch of a Memorial Lecture in her name. This annual lecture will be open to nurses and will focus on the psycho-social-spiritual aspect of Palliative Care.

The Portfolio also supported the production of a video reflecting on Heather's professional and personal experience at end of life: Living and Dying My Way: Heather's Story - YouTube. 

Heather was a graduate of the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing in Halifax (1972), University of British Columbia (B.S.N. 1994), and University of Calgary (M.N. 2001).

Heather was pleased to make the initial contribution to the fund that will support the Heather Shantz Memorial Lecture in Palliative Care. Donations in her memory will help it continue for years to come.