Changing lives through nursing in West Africa

A personal connection to Mercy Ships.

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Nursing instructor Shelina Keys posing on the deck of one of Mercy Ships' floating hospitals.Langara College nursing instructor Shelina Keys has turned a personal calling into a global mission. A graduate of Langara’s nursing program, Keys has been volunteering with Mercy Ships Canada, a floating hospital providing life-changing surgeries in West Africa. Since 2022, she has served in Senegal and Sierra Leone, offering care to patients who would otherwise go without access to essential medical treatments.

From Langara graduate to global health advocate.

Keys' journey into volunteer nursing is rooted in personal history. “I was born in Africa and always thought that I’d like to give back to the less fortunate,” she explains. Her passion for global healthcare led her to Mercy Ships, an organization that brings surgical and medical care to underserved communities via hospital ships.

Her nursing journey began in 1983 when she graduated from Langara, then worked in various roles across the globe, including the Middle East, Australia, and Canada. Her broad international experience prepared her for the unique challenges of travel nursing and the rewards of volunteer work in resource-limited settings.

Life-changing experiences on a floating hospital.

While volunteering with Mercy Ships, Keys works primarily in the outpatient department. “The most memorable moments were when patients were healed and discharged home,” she recalls. She vividly remembers working with infants who had cleft lips, witnessing their transformations as they learned to feed and grow.

“Other patients left a mark on my heart—those who had contractures released from old burns and could now walk and play with other kids,” she adds. For many, these surgeries are life-changing, and Keys has witnessed firsthand the impact that accessible healthcare can have on individuals and families.

Transforming perspectives on healthcare.

Working with Mercy Ships has been eye-opening for Keys. “It made me even more aware of how good our healthcare is in developed countries,” she notes. She reflects on the lack of basic medical supplies in some areas and encourages nursing students to appreciate the healthcare systems they’re training in. “Even the availability of certain medical supplies was limited,” she reflects, underscoring the importance of using resources wisely and effectively.

Looking ahead: Future plans in Madagascar.

Keys is now preparing for her next assignment in Madagascar. “I look forward to working with patients of yet another culture,” she shares. As she plans to retire from teaching, she hopes to stay involved with Mercy Ships, possibly in planning or through their Education, Training, and Advocacy Program, which partners with host countries to train local healthcare providers.