PAC Excellence in Practice Awards Honours
The Professional Advisory Committee Excellence in Practice Awards are awards designed to celebrate the pillars of professional practice for both individuals and teams. The awards were presented virtually on June 29, 2021 including professional summaries and gratitude for the work done during the pandemic by each discipline. In addition, the 36 nominees in 8 categories were recognized and winners of awards were celebrated.
Individual Clinical Excellence in Practice Award Winner
Carol Sweeney receiving award from Jimena Silliker
Carol Sweeney. Going above and beyond the call of duty in order to improve a patient's transition to the Satellite Health Facility and then to long-term care facilities.
Team Clinical Excellence in Practice Award Winners:
Award #1
Recipients representing the team Jimena Silliker, Alisa Walzak, and Dr. Bryan Alton
Satellite Health Facility Interprofessional Team & Managers/Leads: this team transformed a hotel into a safe place for patients to wait for long-term care.
Award #2
Martin MacPherson, Paula Costa, Candace Rutherford and Deborah Johnson.
Virology Technologists and Technicians/Staff working at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton they are the unseen heroes in the lab that no one really knows about.
Individual Teaching Excellence in Practice Award
JoAnne deJager receiving award from Anne Bialachowski
JoAnne deJager. JoAnne returned from retirement during COVID to provide essential infection control support and education to mitigate outbreaks as part of the Congregate Settings Outreach Team.
The Team-Teaching Excellence in Practice Award
Sonia Vierra, Michelle Fung, Kate Aben (on iPad), receiving award on behalf of team from Dr. Azim Gangji and Monica Alderson
Occupational Therapy Clinical Instructors. This team of therapists and assistants created high quality learning opportunities for students during COVID. When our community partners were not able to provide these placements, they provided almost double the number of placement opportunities for our learners over the same timeframe to accommodate placement needs and support graduation of needed professionals.
Individual Innovation Excellence in Practice Award Winner
Dr. Taylor Hatchard receiving award from Dr. Joe Pellizzari
Taylor Hatchard. Dr. Hatchard led the development of TransFormations; an innovative program that aims to improve mental health in transgender and gender non-conforming youth.
Team Excellence in Professional Practice Innovation Award Winners:
Award #1
Jacqueline Lata and Jennifer Backler representing the team receiving award from Andriana Lukich and Dr. Dan Perry
Digital Solutions Health Professionals When COVID restrictions forced us to move to different practices clinically, this team bridged the gap between clinical practice and information technology to ensure effective processes and structures were in-place to support staff, physicians, patients and families.
Award #2
Jordanna Laman receiving the award on behalf of the team from Fiona Wilson
Youth Wellness Centre Team This team nimbly moved to virtual work and additionally employed Instagram Live to host psychoeducation sessions because of COVID and despite COVID they progressively developed programming to support trans youth and developed programs for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Youth.
Individual Leadership Excellence in Practice Award Winner
Carmine Nieuwstraten receiving award from Rick Badzioch
Carmine Nieuwstraten an example to us all, Carmine during a pandemic lead her to team provide Pharmacy Service 24/7, leading the COVID vaccination roll out and implementing a new state of the art pharmacy robot.
Team Leadership Excellence in Practice Award Winner
Catherine Duffin, Helen Harris and Amanda Weatherston receiving award from Dr. Cheryl Williams
Congregate Settings COVID-19 Response Team. This team created collaborations & partnerships with congregate settings to prevent outbreaks and manage them during the many waves of COVID.