Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) honoured staff, physicians and volunteers of the organization through its annual Service Recognition ceremony and presentation of the Alliance Awards of Excellence.
This year’s ceremony was held at the Chatham Capitol Theatre on Thursday, November 17, 2022.
Claudette Bourgeois and Dr. Adrian Verburg were recognized for 40 years of service.
11 employees received 35-year recognition: Lori Brisco, Tammy Dobbelaar, Pam Hebblethwaite, Jeannine Lantin, Connie McFadden, Deb Moore, Dr. William Pavlosky, Jeannette Peltier, Elaine Pitman, Michele Vandenberg and Caroline Vandeveire.
Guests of honour also included 52 five year, 45 10 year, 50 15 year, 20 20 year, nine 25 year and two 30 year award recipients.
In addition, CKHA paid tribute to 32 retirees:
“It was a pleasure to hold our first in-person recognition ceremony since 2019. The evening was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our valued staff, volunteers and physicians for their commitment to local healthcare,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA, in a media release.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent challenges within the health system, our team’s dedication to safe, high quality care has never wavered. We are proud and appreciative of their commitment to CKHA’s vision: Together, Growing a Healthier Community.”
During the ceremony, exceptional performance was recognized with the Alliance Awards of Excellence now in their 18th year, the Compassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction now in its 15th year, the Resiliency Award now in its 3rd year, the Vicente and Delia Calma Memorial Nursing Excellency Award in its 2nd year, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award in it’s 1st year and the Stroke Care Award in its 1st year.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to congratulate the nominees and recipients of this year’s Alliance Awards of Excellence; Compassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction; Resiliency Award; Vicente and Delia Calma Memorial Nurse Excellency Award; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award; and the Stroke Care Award,” said Alan Wildeman, Board Chair, CKHA, in a media release.
“These awards represent the calibre of our people; it’s evident they continuously strive for excellence and compassion in the delivery of high quality, Patient and Family Centred Care.”
This year’s awards were presented by CKHA’s Senior Leadership Team and members of the Board of Directors.
Recipients were selected from peer nominations by a panel of staff and past honourees.
Award recipients announced on November 17, 2022 at the Chatham Capitol Theatre were:
Alliance Awards of Excellence: The Alliance Awards of Excellence recognize staff, physicians, volunteers and teams who exemplify performance excellence within and beyond the healthcare environment.
Mission Award: Jamie Shields, Charge Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory Therapy – Jamie has demonstrated a strong commitment to CKHA’s Mission, One Team – Two Sites: Serving Chatham & Rural Kent. His ability to serve both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites has been demonstrated in his collaborative work with both Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff, physicians, as well as outside organizations to aid in the delivery of community care. He continuously shows compassion to patients and colleagues and is passionate about his role and the ability for Respiratory Therapists to work to their full scope of practice.
Vision Award: Nadine Neil, Decision Support Specialist, Decision Support – Nadine represents CKHA’s Vision, Together, Growing a Healthier Community in all that she does. In her role within the Decision Support department, Nadine brings new ideas forward and successfully delivers on them. She has been instrumental in leading the development of several new innovative reports for CKHA using a new business intelligence reporting tool. She is someone who others seek out for expertise, across various departments and other hospitals in the region, and always maintains a positive attitude during collaboration. Nadine takes great pride in all of her work, regardless of the request, and performs at the highest standard of accuracy.
Values Award: Debbie Pepper, Clinical Applications Specialist, Operating Room – Debbie is an exemplar for the Values of CKHA – CKHA CARES (Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Safety). In her role she supports many disciplines and physician offices. She strives to provide correct information so that processes can be improved and work-life made easier. Debbie’s knowledge of data and desire for accurate data are directly related to her attention to detail. The work she does ultimately supports improving patient access and care. She has achieved a great deal of knowledge in many areas and the strength of this achievement is rooted in her deep passion for her work and commitment to CKHA.
Compassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction: The Compassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction honours an individual or team who exemplifies Patient and Family Centred Care and works to advance quality of care while demonstrating unconditional compassion and respect.
Compassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction: Rachel Boucquez, Registered Practical Nurse; Lana Timms, Registered Practical Nurse; Tina Labute, Registered Practical Nurse; Ambulatory Care– Rachel, Lana and Tina are three Ambulatory Care Nurses who have been instrumental members of CKHA’s team through their reliability and dedication in their roles. All three nurses have developed stellar reputations across CKHA for their compassion, energy, and willingness to support their colleagues with courtesy and care. Rachel, Lana, and Tina have all proven to be efficient and thorough in their work. Through their high ethical standards, accountability, and commitment to providing compassionate care to their patients, these three nurses are a shining example to their fellow frontline staff. In addition to being highly respected by their peers, Rachel, Lana, and Tina are also deeply appreciated by their patients for the high quality, compassionate care that they provide.
Resiliency Award: The Resiliency Award recognizes a staff member, physician or volunteer who has demonstrated resilience and shown their ability to adapt to change and be flexible. This award was established in 2020 as a tribute to the resiliency that was seen from the organization to accomplish its goals.
Resiliency Award: Stephanie Davidson, Clinical Education Leader, Medicine Unit – Stephanie’s commitment to supporting and educating staff through the pandemic and ongoing staffing crisis, as well as her willingness to be actively involved in problem solving difficult challenges, are a testimony to her resilience. She utilizes her leadership skills to act as a mentor and an advocate, helping the team on Medicine to advance their clinical competencies. Stephanie is energetic and outcome driven. She is always eager to learn and willing to do more to support the Medicine team in delivering safe, high quality care to patients.
Vicente and Delia Calma Memorial Nurse Excellency Award: The Vicente and Delia Calma Memorial Nurse Excellency Award honours a nursing staff member whose contributions provide and advance quality of care, contributing to the overall well-being of patients and their families. The recipient is a nurse who provides extraordinary patient care, is a positive role model and is committed to seeking opportunities to gain new knowledge.
Vicente and Delia Calma Memorial Nurse Excellency Award: Kelly Barreira, Registered Practical Nurse, Complex Continuing Care – Kelly brings a positive attitude and infectious smile to every shift that she works, and provides compassionate nursing care to each of her patients. Kelly takes the time out of her day to get to know her patients, and to develop a rapport with them. As a lifelong learner, Kelly is always eager to enroll in education that can be applied to her practice. For the care that she provides, and her excitement and willingness to share her knowledge and passion with her co-workers, Kelly demonstrates nurse excellency on a daily basis.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award: The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes an individual that is making a significant contribution towards CKHA’s journey in achieving Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for all. The recipient is someone who works to advance a more accessible, equitable, diverse and inclusive environment. They serve as a positive role model and have demonstrated a commitment to improving the patient experience and/or staff engagement in this area.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award: Colleen Lewis, Social Worker, Social Work/Discharge Planning – Colleen has gone above and beyond to create a more inclusive environment and improve the patient experience at CKHA. She is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. She provides support and education to all staff on how to provide equitable care, create an inclusive environment, and to ensure diversity is addressed through an appropriate cultural lens. In addition to the great work she does within the hospital, Colleen volunteers with ROCK MISSIONS where she advocates for making the community more equitable and inclusive. She has also built strong community relationships to support the work done at CKHA.
Stroke Care Award: The Stroke Care Award is presented to an individual who has exemplified their commitment to improving the quality of life for patients with chronic and complex conditions. The recipient of this award is a staff member whose contributions provide and advance quality care contributing to the overall well-being of stroke patients and their families. They provide extraordinary stroke care, are a positive role model and are committed to seeking opportunities to gain new knowledge.
Stroke Care Award: Kyla Hayward, Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy – Kyla strives to assist stroke survivors in reaching their potential and improving their quality of life across the continuum, from acute care to rehabilitation, to outpatient therapy. Through a commitment to ongoing stroke education, Kyla has established herself as a skilled, knowledgeable caregiver who provides exceptional, evidence-based therapy. She advocates strongly for her patients, and serves as a role model to her colleagues, as well as a mentor to the students with whom she shares her expertise. Kyla has also demonstrated a commitment to educating both patients and their families so that they have a better understanding of stroke and stroke recovery. Kyla establishes excellent rapport with her patients, and consistently provides compassionate, dedicated care.
