Nursing Heroes: St. Joe’s nurses honoured with awards
Three St. Joe’s nurses were recently recognized with Nursing Heroes Awards. The annual awards, presented by Hospital News, honour the best and brightest in nursing as part of National Nursing Week. Anne Bialachowski, Senior Manager of Infection Prevention and Control, Alisa Walzak, Registered Nurse in Palliative Care, and Pearl Lall, Registered Nurse with the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic received recognition for their dedication to providing exceptional compassionate care.
Anne Bialachowski
A go-to leader. A subject-matter expert. A mentor. Those are some of the words used to describe Anne Bialachowski in her nomination for the 2023 Nursing Hero Awards, presented by Hospital News.
Anne was recently recognized with third place in the annual nursing awards, which honours the best and brightest in nursing as part of National Nursing Week.
“It was such a surprise, and very humbling. To be chosen from a group of such exceptional nurses across Ontario really means a lot,” said Anne, after receiving news of her win.
As Senior Manager of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC), Anne develops best practices to reduce infections and ensures standards are met across St. Joe’s in order to keep patients and staff safe.
With 38 years of nursing experience, Anne has held a range of roles, including Nursing Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. Anne also worked in general surgery and intensive care before moving into infection prevention and control in 1997. Prior to joining St. Joe’s in 2010, Anne worked in various settings, including serving as one of the first Network Coordinator with Public Health Ontario, where she developed a Regional Infection Control Network in Central South Ontario following the 2003 SARS outbreak.
“There’s so many different paths in nursing, and so many different opportunities,” Anne says. “I love to learn. I am always looking for opportunities to learn new things.”
Anne’s participation and leadership in local and national IPAC committees was noted by nominators Jane Loncke and Amanda Weatherston as one way Anne ensures she is adopting best practices, and sharing her knowledge with others.
“Anne is a terrific mentor, and is passionate about all things IPAC,” Jane Loncke, Senior Director, Post-Acute Operations, Community Partnerships & Health Professional Practice says. “She is exceedingly proud of, and contributes to, her nursing profession each and every day.”
Alisa Walzak
St. Joe’s nurse Alisa Walzak was also recognized by the Nursing Hero Awards, receiving honourable mention for her contributions in the field of nursing.
Alisa joined St. Joe’s in 2011 as a new graduate, and was immediately drawn to the fast-paced environment, working on 7 Surgical.
“I loved seeing people rehabilitate after surgery,” Alisa says. “I really felt a calling to want to help and support people as a nurse.”
Alisa always had an interest in supporting patients and families particularly in palliative care. In 2018, Alisa returned to McMaster University to complete her Master of Science in Nursing degree, with a focus on gerontology and advance care planning.
Currently a palliative care nurse, Alisa was previously a Resource Nurse, as well as Interim Clinical Manager at the Satellite Health Facility where she helped launch the opening of this off-site location. In her role at the Satellite Health Facility, Alisa was described as a leader who is dedicated to fostering professional growth and development for both herself and the team.
“Alisa is always looking for opportunities for her and her team’s professional growth and development,” Amanda Weatherston, Senior Manager Post-Acute Care and Community Partnerships says. “Alisa approaches her work each day with enthusiasm, compassion and caring for everyone she crosses paths with.”
In addition to Anne and Alisa’s recognitions, we are proud to congratulate Pearl Lall, Registered Nurse with the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic for her honourable mention after being nominated by a grateful patient, as well as Greg Melnik, Registered Nurse with Hamilton Assertive Community Treatment Team 2 for his nomination.
Pearl Lall
Registered Nurse Pearl Lall received honourable mention after her nomination by a grateful patient.
The patient was experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression after a difficult pregnancy and birth of twins. Pearl was described as “going above and beyond” to support the patient with “care and compassion,” using her knowledge and expertise to provide much needed support. The patient described Pearl as someone who “takes the time to fully understand the situation and concerns,
and connecting her with vital resources.”
“Pearl is patient, kind, caring, and reliable, and any patient would be so lucky to have her as their nurse,” the grateful patient says in her nomination. “Without her support, my mental health would severely impact my ability to take care of these babies.”
Pearl has worked at St. Joe’s for all 15 years of her nursing career, starting in acute psychiatry, then moving to forensic psychiatry followed by working as a part of the Youth Wellness Centre’s mobile team. Pearl is currently a nurse with the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic, where she works as part of a multi-professional team supporting women who are experiencing emotional symptoms related to their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause.
“Nursing is such a highly rewarding profession,” Pearl says. “I think it’s so important to acknowledge and recognize the importance of nursing and the power that we have to help people, especially during challenging times.”