Dawa Tshering, a Registered Practical Nurse and Internationally Educated Nurse at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, has been honoured with the 2024 Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Award from the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses.

Tshering received the honour during a special awards ceremony on Tuesday at St. Joe’s, which was attended by representatives from the CARE Centre, Dawa’s colleagues, and his family.

Each year, the CARE Centre honours a member Registered Nurse (RN), and a member Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) who have successfully overcome challenges to obtain their Ontario nursing licenses, rejoining the nursing profession to enhance the quality of healthcare in the province.  

“It means so much to me to be recognized with the Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Award,” said Tshering. “Coming to Canada to register and find nursing employment was not an easy process. I want to thank my family and friends, as well as CARE Centre for their guidance and referrals, especially my case manager Lourdes. I enjoyed my work in long-term care and community nursing, but I have found a home with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where I know I can grow in my nursing career.”

Dawa Tshering is originally from Bhutan and moved to Ontario in 2018. With over 15 years of nursing experience, he has worked in both long-term care and community care settings. Currently, he works in acute care at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, while pursuing his Registered Nurse (RN) registration.

“St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is so proud to have our nurse, Dawa Tshering, recognized with the Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Award,” said Brooke Cowell, Executive Vice President Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Registered Practical Nurses and Internationally Educated Nurses contribute so much to quality healthcare. Their collaboration with colleagues and care of patients and families is vitally important. Dawa has impacted St. Joseph’s in so many ways, he is a positive presence at work. We’re pleased to partner with CARE Centre in supporting IENs through registration, job opportunities, workplace integration and career advancement.”

“We have presented the Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Awards since 2011. In the 13 years of selecting nominees for the award, each year we have an incredible field of highly worthy, outstanding nurses. They have overcome so many challenges on their journey to registration. Our CARE Centre member IENs are crucial to the future of nursing in Ontario. They bring a world of experience and a wide range of cultural competency to the healthcare workplace,” said Dr. Elaine Santa Mina, the Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Awards Selection Committee Chair. “We are always pleased to honour our employer partners who recognize the value IENs bring to their organization as they support them in their full integration and further career success.”