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Awards of Excellence in Nursing
The Award of Excellence in Nursing celebrates the dedication, initiative and excellence of nurses employed by First Nations communities, Health Canada and Inuit communities who work in partnership to improve the health of Canada's Aboriginal peoples. It is presented every year during National Nursing Week and nurses are nominated for this award by their peers, to recognize the contribution of nurses to First Nations and Inuit communities.
Health Canada's Eleventh Annual First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Award of Excellence in Nursing
Three registered nurses employed by Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit communities are being recognized during National Nursing Week for their dedication, initiative and high standard of excellence.
This year's recipients are:
Joan Belanger - Bearskin Lake, Ontario
Joan is employed by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) as the Nurse in Charge at the Bearskin Lake First Nation Nursing Station. Joan has been working with FNIHB since 2005 and has been in the role of Nurse in Charge since 2010. She obtained her Nursing Diploma in 1976 from Fanshawe College, Woodstock Campus School, and continues to further her nursing knowledge through additional courses and certificate programs. Her goal for 2013 is to obtain a diploma in Addictions Education at McMasters University. Joan has extensive nursing experience; prior to working with FNIHB, she worked in both homecare and hospital settings. Some of the initiatives that Joan has been instrumental in has been to initiate and maintain a healthy lifestyle weight-loss program, as well as a detox program to improve the lives of individuals and their families in her community. She is recognized as delivering client care with compassion, empathy and dedication in her role, as well as providing excellent nursing care.
Gail Nahmabin - Chippewas of Sarnia, Ontario
With a strong desire to promote healthy living in her community, Gail has worked as a Community Health Nurse for the Aamjiwnaang First Nation since 1995. She is well-known for being a seasoned professional and an advocate for needed health services in her community. She has mentored many nursing students to help develop and guide new nurses. She is described as warm and compassionate with a sound knowledge of nursing practices. Gail was born and raised on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario. She received her Diploma in Nursing from Lambton College and has a wealth of knowledge she has obtained from her additional studies in Community Health Nursing and various other health courses. Gail is committed to providing excellent nursing care to all her patients and their families through her advanced knowledge and previous nursing experience.
Marie McPherson - Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territoires
Marie is the Nurse in Charge at the Sachs Harbour Health Centre. She has been a devoted nurse and caretaker, providing excellent nursing services to this community for over 10 years. Marie obtained her Registered Nurse Diploma in 1970 from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing and has continued to take additional courses over the years to advance her knowledge of nursing. Before moving to Northern Canada in 1997 to become a Community Health Nurse, Marie's career included nursing positions at various hospitals both nationally and internationally, obtaining extensive experience in Coronary and Intensive Care. She also attended a six month outpost nursing program, which allowed her to practice and develop her nursing skills in many different areas of nursing while working in Yellowknife. Marie is known for going above and beyond as she delivers excellent nursing care to her community. Based on her knowledge and experience, she is able to provide solid judgment, which is well received by community members.
Past Award Winners
2012
The 2012 award recipients are:
Sophie Pamak, Hopedale, Labrador
Inuit in the community of Hopedale in Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador) receive health care from one of their own. Sophie Pamak was raised in Nain, an Inuit community north of Hopedale, and is known for setting the standard for providing culturally safe health care. Sophie is proud, deeply compassionate, and persistent in her advocacy for what she believes is right for her clients. Further, she is able to provide care to Inuit in their own language. In addition to her employment as a home care nurse she is also raising a young family, volunteering on local housing and food security committees and continually working to preserve her language. Sophie earned her Nursing Diploma from the Western Memorial Regional Hospital School of Nursing in Corner Brook, NL and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Nursing at Athabasca University on a part-time basis.
Lori Monture, Hagersville, Ontario
Lori is from Six Nations in southern Ontario and has worked as a Registered Nurse for more than 25 years including 11 years as Home and Community Care and Long Term Care Coordinator in her home community. Lori is well respected by her peers and is a well-educated and trusted information source. Among colleagues, Lori is known as one who speaks with knowledge and strives to improve the health and wellness of the people whose lives she touches. In addition to her nursing responsibilities, she is working to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science to complement her Nursing Diploma earned from the Mohawk College of Nursing in 1985 and studies in Community Health in First Nations at Lakehead University in 1998.
Leslie-Ann Smith, Battleford, Saskatchewan
Leslie-Ann is a nurse currently employed by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch as Nurse in Charge at the Spiritwood Health Centre. Leslie-Ann has worked with First Nations communities for the majority of her nursing career. Since graduating in 1991 from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies' Indian Diploma Nursing Program, she has continued to pursue educational opportunities, completing a Bachelor of Nursing Science from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007. This desire for lifelong learning has effectively increased her ability to provide compassionate, client-centered care in a variety of settings. Leslie-Ann is recognized by her peers as being passionate about her career, never satisfied with the status quo and always looking for opportunities for improvement.
- News Release - Harper Government Recognizes Nurses at the Tenth Annual Award of Excellence in Nursing
- Nurse Profiles
2011
The 2011 award recipients are:
Goldie White from Makkovik, Labrador
Having occupied a variety of nursing positions, Goldie has met the most challenging of conditions - and excelled. Goldie's life has been dedicated to nursing and is not one to shy away from the unique challenges of her position including having caught fish for her patients and even delivering babies in igloos and tents. Her dedication to the nursing profession remains focused even after 40 years as Goldie continues to bring the most up-to-date standards in nursing practise to her community. She takes into consideration the social determinants that affects her clients, their families and the community. Ms. White's dedication and passion for nursing has extended beyond the workplace: she has inspired her three sons to pursue the same career path.
Tracy Daigneault from Warman, Saskatchewan
The people of Birch Narrows look up to Tracy as a role model and friend in addition to being an excellent and compassionate care provider. Willing to try new ideas, Tracy is known for excelling when faced with new challenges and continues to pursue ways to upgrade her nursing skills. As highlighted by community members in their support letters, Tracy is best known for her dedication, excellent rapport, work ethic, compassion and respectful care of clients. Ms. Daigneault's key to success has been credited by the manner in which she incorporates traditional and Western medicine.
Susan Siwik from Parry Sound, Ontario
With her sense of humour, enthusiasm and willingness to adapt, Susan has established a positive working relationship with her colleagues and patients in the Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre in Nobel, Ontario. Susan strives to keep the five communities she serves up-to-date on nursing issues, competencies and standards of practice. Although Susan participates on numerous different professional committees, she always finds time to give individual attention to patients and to mentor others. She has a wonderful rapport with staff and community members and her compassionate, client-centred approach to the care she provides is cited by many.
2010
The 2010 award recipients are:
Tina Buckle of Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
As a clinical manager of nursing care in Nunatsiavut, Tina stands out to her colleagues as innovative, determined and an advocate for her clients. She is well known for her work in the areas of home care and public health. Tina worked with the Government of Nunatsiavut to develop an innovative home-support training program; assisted in managing a tuberculosis outbreak by leading immunization clinics and assisted in the development of pandemic plans for future public health emergencies. Tina continues to broaden her skill set through training--both for herself and for others. She uses her training to teach colleagues, new nurses and students about public and community health and home care. Tina remains committed to her clients and is always looking for ways to improve health care delivery.
Christi-Ann Poulette of London, Ontario
Christi-Ann is a registered nurse and member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She plays a key role on her community's crisis management team and in the delivery of quality, client-focussed health care. Colleagues and clients credit Christi-Ann with going above and beyond her regular duties as a nurse to ensure critical emergency care is always available. She works with community members to address emergency situations and to provide appropriate health resources, referrals and support. In addition to her front-line work, Christi-Ann collaborates with stakeholders to provide health programming for her community. She recently participated in the development of a mass immunization strategy and represented the Oneida Nation at the National Immunization Conference. Christi-Ann also volunteers with a victim services organization, sits on a number of health boards and organized community H1N1 and flu vaccination clinics.
June Fry of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
June has served the people of Labrador for the majority of her 25-year nursing career. As one of the longest serving staff members of the Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy, June has a well-established relationship with her clients. She incorporates Innu culture and beliefs into every aspect of her practice, earning her a reputation as a dedicated, client-focussed, health professional. June works with local staff to adapt health programming to suit the needs of her clients. This includes translating programs into a local dialect and breaking programs down into smaller, easier to understand modules. She has helped improve working relationships between communities and the provincial health authority. She also advocates for equal access to mental health and addictions services. June's commitment to culturally-relevant health care has earned her one of the greatest rewards "the trust of the communities she serves".
The Award of Excellence in Nursing celebrates the dedication, initiative and excellence of nurses employed in transferred and non-transferred communities who work in partnership to improve the health of Canada's Aboriginal and Inuit people.
2009
The 2009 award recipients are:
Susan Stoneson
As a 'nurse in-charge,' Susan travels the entire province of British Columbia visiting communities with temporary nurse in-charge needs. Alternating months between her home in Chilliwack and often remote and isolated locations, Susan works in emergency trauma care and community health. Destinations may include Port Simpson, a 15-minute flight from Prince Rupert, Hartley Bay, a coastal community with no roads and a unique travel system that uses golf carts and boardwalks, or Telegraph Creek, a northern community close to the Alaskan border. Susan loves to learn, and is completing her post-graduate diploma in Advanced Nursing Practitioner through Athabasca University, believing nursing practitioners are the way of the future. Susan is known as an exceptional nurse and a person of great drive and integrity.
Judy Wilson
Judy is the nurse in-charge at the Rosie Ovayuk Health Centre in Tuktoyaktuk - a busy 4-nurse health centre in a community of 1000 people. Judy works in acute care (assessment, diagnosis, and treatment) and delivers public health care programs, including well man, well women, prenatal, and postpartum. She also finds time to mentor new nurses in-charge for their positions in remote health centres. Judy received her Masters of Public Health from the University of Melbourne and has presented at a number of international conferences. Her nursing career has taken her from working with aboriginal communities in Australia and New Zealand to the Inuvialuit and G'wichen First nations in the North West Territories. Judy is a very dedicated nurse and a credit to the nursing profession.
Liza Sam
Liza works as community health nurse at the Nak'azdli Health Centre in Fort Saint James. Since Nak'azdli is her home community, Liza seeks new ways to promote health awareness among people she has known and loved. One such unique activity is her use of 'house parties'. Women meet at various homes to make bread, knit or do beadwork. In this comfortable and safe environment, Liza teaches and discusses a wide range of sensitive health topics with the women like HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and issues surrounding tuberculosis. By creating a safe, relaxed environment, Liza is able to reach groups in the community that she might not otherwise be able to reach. Liza emphasizes that her work is very much a team effort, saying emphatically that without the support and ideas from her team, she couldn't do the work she does. In 2006, she represented British Columbia First Nations at an Aboriginal Symposium in Alice Springs, Australia. Liza continues to be a valuable asset to her community and profession.
2008
The 2008 award recipients are:
Joyce Ritchie
In her many years as a staff nurse and as a home care nurse, Joyce demonstrates time and time again her tremendous enthusiasm for nursing. Her colleagues are amazed at the 'sheer energy with which she approaches each day's work.' Joyce is a home care nurse at Kiska Waptan Bighorn First Nation and also maintains a part time rotation at the Rocky Mountain Hospital and Care Center where she has worked in the areas of Medicine, Surgical, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Palliative Care, and Emergency. Her wealth of experience enables Joyce to make sound decisions based upon best practice standards. Joyce does not limit her nursing activities to solely clinical work. She is also mentoring 3 community health nurses new to the community. Her mentoring of First Nations staff has enabled them to achieve meaningful health care careers. Joyce is a role model for promoting diversity and safe, discrimination-free work environments. Joyce develops strong respectful relationships with clients and staff based upon trust and fairness. She is well liked by her coworkers and the community at large for her 'positive outlook, hard work, and 'can-do' attitude'.
Elaine Conacher
From early in the morning until late in the evening, Elaine is constantly on the go in her current capacity as Supervisor of the Prince Albert Grand Council Diabetes Team providing Diabetes education to 12 First Nations communities in the Grand Council. Her work with the Grand Council is a continuation of her life long commitment to community health through her previous work as a community health nurse and home care nurse with the Muskoday First Nation and as a community health nurse with Health Canada's Medical Services Branch throughout the Prince Albert area. Elaine is highly regarded in the community for her sensitivity to her clients' needs and special circumstances, while practising according to established clinical guidelines and evidence-based information. She is flexible and easily adapts to changing circumstances. Elaine's ability to develop and maintain strong relationships extends to her coworkers and team members who say that she is 'always open to feedback and ideas from colleagues and is respectful and values others.' Perhaps most importantly, 'she is quick to laugh and promotes a close and cohesive team atmosphere'.
2007
The 2007 award recipients are:
Margaret Levy
Margaret Levy has worked in the area of First Nations' Heath for over 20 years. A member of the Metepenagiag First Nations, Margaret lives and works in her community as well as working in neighbouring Eel Ground, New Brunswick. Margaret's main area of focus is mother and infant nutrition and breastfeeding - she offers prenatal classes for mothers. However, her focus does not stop there. She is a tireless worker for her community, advocating for the implementation of home care services in her community and implementing a smoking cessation program in the community. Margaret is constantly on the go, whether stocking up on fruit for the food basket program she offers new mothers and their babies or giving health advice to teenagers who stop her on the street to ask questions - a clear example of the high regard in which she is held by her community.
Paula J. Stefankiw
In her capacity as a Home Care Nurse for the Kawacatoose Health Centre, Paula has developed a strong connection with the Band community. Her main focus is in the care and treatment of people with diabetes - a health issue that has had an enormous effect on her community. Paula is very involved in the Kawacatoose community - she started workshops, wellness clinics, information sessions and other activities to complement her home care work and is a member of the Home Care Working Group which strives to provide the best possible home care to First Nations' communities. Paula has developed a strong relationship of trust and mutual respect with her clients and the community at large through her openness, honesty and integrity.
Gail T. Turner
Born and raised in Labrador, Gail grew up in Happy Valley and has worked in her community for over 30 years. She is a well respected and an active member of her community who sits on many committees advocating for seniors, adults and children. While currently Director of Health Services for the Nunatsiavut Government, Gail is very much a 'hands on' manager who stays close to the nursing front lines. She recently stepped in and took the place of a nurse in a community so that the nurse could go on training. Gail serves as mentor and model for less experienced staff with her upbeat, positive attitude. Along with Gail's passion for nursing and Labrador is a commitment to representing her community on an international level - she recently represented the Canadian Inuit community at an International Symposium on Indigenous Health Accreditation held in Australia.
2006
The 2006 award recipients are:
Sandro Échaquan
Grew up in the Atikamekw community of Manawan, Quebec, has worked there as a nurse since 1999. Mr. Échaquan has a master's degree in nursing from Université de Montréal and is currently studying to qualify as a nurse practitioner in primary care, while also holding down a job in a promising telehealth project. Sandro's peers agree that his enthusiasm and persevering attitude make him an exceptional resource for his clients. There is no doubt that Sandro Échaquan embodies the future of nursing in First Nation communities.
Susan Jewitt
Been nurse in charge for almost four years at the Horse Lake First Nation Health Centre in Alberta. She has successfully introduced a number of health programs in the community and has pioneered a volunteer centre at Grande Prairie Regional College. Ms. Jewitt's greatest passions are prenatal education and women's health issues. Susan is currently working towards her MA in nursing. Through initiatives such as smoking cessation programs for teens and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome walks, she is a role model for staff and has become a source of inspiration to her community.
Gail Redpath
Worked in First Nations and Inuit communities for over 25 years. Since 1988, she has been supervisor of health programs in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. Ms. Redpath is hoping to become a nurse practitioner. In addition to her work as a nurse, Gail serves as an elected council member, is involved in local radio shows, the National Addictions Awareness week, and in the coordination of a local AIDS walk. These actions demonstrate her commitment to the community.
2005
The 2005 award recipients are:
Edith Martel
Spent the last 28 years working as a nurse in First Nations communities. In every place she has been, she has made an effort to learn about the local language and culture. In 1977, Martel began her career with Health Canada's Medical Services Branch - the forerunner of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch - as a community health nurse in Island Lake, Manitoba. In addition to her regular duties there, she helped to train other nurses.
Since 1986, she has worked for the Muncey Health Centre in Muncey, Ontario. Now the nurse in charge, she is responsible for providing health programs for the two communities served by the centre. Some of her recent interests include HIV awareness and AIDS. Martel continues to mentor young nurses and promote health careers in First Nations.
Ada Benoit
Been a nurse since 1988. For the past 13 years, she has worked in her home community, the Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River, Newfoundland. She is currently the nurse practitioner and wellness coordinator for Conne River's health and social services agency.
Ada Benoit is responsible for the coordination and delivery of all health promotion and illness prevention programs. The women's clinic which she manages has one of the highest rates in the province for cervical cancer screening. She is also involved in nursing education, tobacco control and diabetes programs at the local and provincial levels. Benoit has served two terms on the board of directors of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and is considered by many to be a role model for Aboriginal nurses.
2004
The 2004 award recipients are:
Barbara Martin
Community health nurse employed by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch in Six Nations, Ontario. She is also a diabetes educator and Six Nations band member. Ms. Martin co-founded a diabetes program and works with a team of people to provide screening, counselling and classes on managing type 2 diabetes. She has also introduced creative ways to sustain the program.
Ms. Martin is passionate about helping people with diabetes. Of the 10,000 people in her community, approximately 40 percent have diabetes. On her own time and at her own expense, Ms. Martin studied and became a certified diabetes educator. She co-founded a diabetes program, working with a team of about 8 people, who reach out to all community members. They offer screening for type 2 diabetes in schools, counselling for people of all ages, and classes on adapting lifestyles to cope with the disease. To support the program, Ms. Martin and the community have raised money through yard and bake sales. She also turned to pharmaceutical companies and associations to acquire the latest technology to use in her program - insulin pens, glucometers, computer software and educational resources.
Ms. Martin is the co-chair of the Grand River Chapter of the Diabetes Educator Section of the Canadian Diabetes Association and a board member of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Brantford Chapter. In praising Barbara Martin for her contribution to Six Nations on many fronts, former Band Councillor Alton C. VanEvery said,
"Barbara not only makes her patients feel positive about their illness, but she goes the extra mile to make sure they get the best follow-up medical attention available."
Over her long career in nursing, Barbara Martin has mentored many medical and nursing students and provided diabetes training to nurses and personal support workers. Karen Martin, a fellow nurse who nominated her for the award, concluded:
"Barbara Martin is a living, breathing example of nursing excellence!"
Jan Kroll
Diabetes nurse educator and supervisor employed by the Prince Albert Grand Council in Saskatchewan since 1995. Ms. Kroll set up a diabetes program in the community that aims to prevent type 2 diabetes and help those who have it manage the disease. She is a leader in diabetes education in her community, provincially and nationally.
"Jan Kroll is a role model of the healthy lifestyle that she so passionately encourages others to work towards," says Elaine Conacher, a diabetes nurse educator who has been mentored by Ms. Kroll. "She takes care of herself as well as all those around her."
Ms. Kroll has succeeded in expanding the staff of the diabetes program from two employees to six - including nurses, dieticians and outreach workers. She is a member of the National Diabetes Educators Section of the Canadian Diabetes Association and a member of its provincial committee. She also partnered with an urban diabetes program to help them deliver culturally sensitive programs in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Ms. Kroll leads diabetes education activities in her community and with regional and provincial associations, where her "rapport, humour and teaching style are greatly appreciated," says Anne Unsworth, Community Health Services Manager, who nominated her for the award.
Because much of Ms. Kroll's work is related to type 2 diabetes, she seeks opportunities to learn and contribute to efforts to help people cope with type 1 diabetes. In the summer, she takes a week of holidays and volunteers as a camp nurse at a nearby children's diabetes camp.
2003
The 2003 award recipients are:
Lillian Turzanski of Cold Lake First Nations, Alberta
Lillian is praised by her superiors for her nursing practice skills, knowledge, positive attitude and her considerable contribution to staff morale at the Dene community of Cold Lake, Alberta, where she is employed as a community health nurse. In addition to providing nursing care, Lillian has created some original and dynamic health programs to benefit her community members. These include a young chef's program to learn about healthy eating, a smoking cessation program, and prenatal classes.
Lillian holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Alberta and has completed training in several areas, including childbirth education and HIV pre and post-test counselling. She is working towards a certificate in occupational health nursing.
Linda H. Paul of Edmonton, Alberta
Linda is known as an individual who works diligently to put her leadership skills to good use in guiding and supporting her nursing colleagues who work in First Nations communities. She is the Zone Manager for Treaty No. 8 First Nation in northern Alberta, employed by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. She has also worked as a community health nurse in Treaty No. 8 before being promoted to her current position in November 2002. Her passion for nursing extends further than her responsibilities as Zone Manager, as she is known for her promotion of the nursing profession to students whom she has mentored.
Linda holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alberta and will begin a part-time Master's in Nursing program at the same university in the fall 2003.
Evelyn Voyageur of Comox, British Columbia
Evelyn is best known for her superb leadership abilities, for her promotion of the nursing profession and for mentoring students and less-experienced nurses. She is currently the regional coordinator for the Vancouver Island area of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society but has occupied a wide variety of positions in the field of nursing including having worked in hospitals in British Columbia and Alberta and with First Nations communities in BC.
Evelyn also has notable educational achievements: she was one of the first Aboriginal nurses to obtain her bachelor of science in nursing; she successful completed a master's degree in counselling; and recently she successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation.
Margaret Webb of Nain, Labrador
Margaret's compassion for nursing is highlighted by her excellent relationships with people in the health profession throughout the province where she is respected as a voice for nursing. She is currently the regional nursing officer for the Labrador Inuit Health Commission (LIHC) in Nain, Labrador and has worked as a public health nurse and a health advisor among Inuit communities. As part of her work, she meticulously gathered information on tuberculosis among the Inuit, which was instrumental in informing a tuberculosis control strategy.
Margaret Webb holds a master of science and a bachelor of nursing from Memorial University in Newfoundland and she is currently working towards a second master's in nursing. Ms. Webb has also been involved in several research projects as a research assistant and has published the results of her research work.
