Celebrating Nursing Excellence!

A big congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the 2025 Nursing Awards of Excellence! The ceremony, held earlier today, was the highlight of an inspiring week dedicated to all nursing teams across the MUHC. Guests and presenters were proud to recognize the incredible work of our entire nursing staff, who continue to provide outstanding care every day. 

Drumroll, please…… 

1. Linh Mai from The Neuro - Ambulatory Services – Evelyn Malowany award for Clinical Practice (individual) 

Linh has been a dedicated nurse clinician at the MUHC for over 22 years. One heartwarming example of Linh's dedication is her work in the Brain Tumor Clinic at The Neuro. When a young patient expressed his last request to Linh – a big family celebration - , she was determined to make this dream come true. With her usual positive energy and enthusiasm, Linh organized a celebration for her patient with the help of the Foundation. She arranged for over 75 family members to gather in an amphitheatre, complete with food, music, and heartfelt speeches. This personalized approach ensured that the patient's final moments were filled with love and joy.  

Nominated by: Vanessa Spyropoulos and Maria Fernanda  

Nominees: Chelsie Turcotte, Linh Mai, Noémie Vincent, Karen Brown, Lili Del Campo, Christa Irvine  

2. Montreal General Hospital Emergency department team - Evelyn Malowany for clinical practice (team) 

The Emergency Department team at the Montreal General Hospital has faced an incredible number of changes and challenges over the past few years. From major physical transformations, to hiring over 50 new recruits in a single year, and managing multiple changes to workflows and processes, this team—often operating at 180% capacity—continues to meet the growing and complex needs of its patients. 

The team stands out for its commitment to providing care that’s tailored to each patient’s reality. For example, they pay special attention to people experiencing homelessness, making sure that even if someone is discharged on a cold, snowy night, the team pulls together, finds solutions, and offers safer options. 

Nominated by: Marie-Andrée Jacques and Simon Roy

Nominees: the C10 Transplant team at the RVH, the Emergency Department at the MGH, the MUHC team of product consultants, clinical nurses in the Oncology Clinic, the MUHC Patient Support line, multi-organ transplant coordinators, 2 East at the Camille-Lefebvre Pavilion in Lachine 

3. Josée Menard from the Montreal Children’s Hospital – Isobel MacLeod award for outstanding work of a licensed practical nurse 

Josée has been part of the MUHC—and specifically, the MCH for 12 years. As one of the first LPNs on 6C at the Legacy site, she helped shape the role into what it is today. 

Josée connects with patients and families, ensuring that their voices are heard and their perspectives valued. One example involved a young first-time mother who, after spending several months in the NICU, had been transferred to the ward. The family was struggling to adjust to the new environment and team. Although Josée was not their assigned LPN, she took the time to listen, support and create a plan. In just one day, she was able to turn the situation around!  

Nominated by: Veronique Ngu 

Nominees: Josée Menard, Latoya Maighan, the C8 LPN and Blood Procurement  

4. Guy St. Pierre, PAB at the MGH - Laraine Imperial Award recognizing exemplary work by PABs 

Guy has embodied excellence in care for 32 years at the MUHC. Curious and compassionate, he takes the time to get to know each patient and learn about their interests, helping them feel seen as whole individuals. Many even return later to thank him in person. 

Guy anticipates care needs, proactively prepares trays for chest tubes or thoracotomies, and supports doctors and nurses during critical situations. Even in the middle of a trauma, he takes the time to explain each step and reassure the patients. 

Nominated twice by: Michelle Samaha / Marie Andrée Jacques and Simon Roy 

Nominees: Merisa Batson, Kevin Dawson, Annie Hamelin, Charles Sainte Rose, Guy St. Pierre, Adrian Sobers, Maysa Silveira Osorio 

5. Kayla Cross, Medical Secretary RVH Women’s Health - Laraine Imperial Award highlighting the outstanding work of administrative personnel 

Kayla Cross is an exceptional medical secretary who works in the outpatient Obstetrician /Gynecological department at the RVH since 2019. She always has new ideas to improve the workload and workflow of the various clinics she is involved in. 

For example, she had the idea of scanning consults into the system directly, instead of having her peers have to pull all the paper consults for the next clinics. She helps colleagues by incorporating step-by-step snap shots of what to do for those who are visual learners. 

Kayla is also a great baker and often bakes when there are celebrations in the clinic.  

Nominated twice by: Jennifer Pepin / Rina Fusco and Melissa Lamshangleen 

Nominees: Ilianna Andrada Salvatore, Samantha Senecal, Kayla Cross, Teresa Paolino, Natasha Leal Amorim, Eleni Diacoumacos, Natasha Cruijff 

6. Nancy Tse from The Neuro Operating Room - the Peggy Sangster Award for excellence in nursing preceptorship 

Nancy Tse has leadership and teaching skills, and an ability to inspire people. Over her 33 years at the MGH and at The Neuro OR, she has devoted herself to the training of new preceptees. 

Nancy is tough but fair. She sets high expectations, but always with the goal of ensuring her preceptees’ success. She explains the surgical procedures and expects the nurses to do their own research and to study. She asks questions the next day to assess their knowledge and test their critical thinking. This balance of encouragement and rigor not only instills confidence in new nurses but also contributes to their retention.   

Nominated by: Dorothy Hum 

Nominees: Nancy Tse, 4E Neuro team, Coleen Maramag 

7. MGH 10 E and 12th floor nursing team - Patricia O’Connor Award highlighting an evidence-based project or program 

The extraordinary teams on MGH 12 and 10E are composed of nurses, LPNs, PAB, unit coordinators, and externs.  

The “Optimizing the Delivery of Nursing Care” project aimed to reduce nursing workload by returning five to 10 per cent of time to nurses for value-added activities within their scope of practice. Using the Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) framework, A Time and Motion study was conducted on the two inpatient units to observe how they spent their time during shifts. The data revealed high proportions of time spent on indirect and non-value-added tasks, as well as opportunities to delegate duties more efficiently. Unit-specific priorities were identified through collaborative staff meetings, leading to tailored action plans. These included streamlining material management and PAB workflow at MGH 12 and clarifying the RN/LPN dyad model and improving nursing reports at MGH 10E.  

The interventions improved efficiency, communication, role clarity, and team collaboration. Results were shared across the institution and internationally. 

Nominated by: Raphaelle Bastarache, Paule Jubinville, Jane DeBoer, Jasmine Lee Hill and Tin Wai Tjoe

8. Multidisciplinary team of C8 at the RVH - Anne-Marie Lejeune award in recognition of the essential contribution of our collaborators 

This exceptional group plays a crucial role in supporting our nurses and delivering comprehensive, compassionate care. 

They do not see themselves as outsiders or consultants but as integral members of the C8 team. This is evident in their actions, including their commitment to sharing their knowledge. They are consistently present at daily multidisciplinary rounds, where they take time to explain complex concepts and provide teaching opportunities for the nursing team. They also actively seek feedback from them, demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt.  

Nominated by:  Joanne Power and Cyndi Fatima Santos 

Nominees: Andrea Witkowski, Antoinetta Antonacci, Maria Tritakis, Brooke Kandyba, Appointment and Referral Centre (ARC), Interprofessional Simulation Centre, Multidisciplinary team of C8 

9. Katherine Mohsen, Nursing Practice Consultant DSI - Franco Carnevale Award recognizing exemplary work in education, research and professional development 

Katherine is constantly seeking opportunities to improve her skills, expand her knowledge, and share it with others. She builds connections with other institutions and introduces best practices, such as ultrasound-guided IV insertion. She collaborates with many departments, including Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Interventional Radiology. She is regularly consulted for complex clinical cases. She co-chairs the CLABSI committee, collaborates on research projects like a tissue adhesive study and a vein visualization initiative. She is currently training in ultrasound-guided PIV insertions to further mentor others. Her system wide efforts include improving documentation, implementing CLABSI prevention strategies, and advising on equipment and supply challenges while using audits and PowerBi to drive improvements! 

Nominated by: Carissa Wong by Samia Saouaf

Nominees: Katherine Mohsen, Stephanie Lesage, Veronica Bellomo-Hart 

10. Ian Truong from the RVH Emergency Room - New Generation Award recognizing a dynamic professional who stands out from the crowd 

Ian exemplifies the qualities of exceptional care and dedication. In the high-pressure environment of the emergency department, his calm demeanor, strong clinical skills, and ability to connect with patients and colleagues have made a significant impact. Ian actively strives to grow and take on leadership roles. His passion for continuous improvement and desire to change the nursing world set him apart. 

One of Ian’s key contributions is his focus on GERI (Geriatric) care. He frequently reminds colleagues about the importance of addressing the unique needs of older patients. Ian also actively works to improve the orientation process for new staff. Drawing from his own experience as a newcomer, he suggests improvements to make onboarding more comprehensive and efficient.  

Nominated by: Julie Pin

Nominees: Cassandra Di Fruscio, Duy Anh Truong, Kyla Draycott, Rachel Casas, Kathleen Nicoghosian 

11. Sophia Kapellas, Advanced Practice Nurse in Women’s Health at the RVH - Lorine Besel Award, presented to an individual who demonstrates transformational leadership that supports and values the advancement of the nursing profession 

Sophia has been a pillar of the MUHC and Women's Health since 2006. She has a patient centred, strengths-based nursing approach. She believes in identifying the strengths innate within families and populations during all periods of their pregnancy.  There are many examples of Sophia mobilizing her vision into practice. She co-led cultural safety initiatives for Indigenous patients in obstetrics, which included ensuring facilitated access to placentas, cultural practices, artwork, and enhanced visitation policies in the birthing center.  

Sophia has also worked with the leadership team to help create a link with Le Phare to provide psychological services to patients who have undergone a perinatal loss.  

In another moving example, Sophia ensured the successful coordination of a pregnant mother and her husband who was palliative on D10. She ensured that the father could be present with his partner for the birth and helped to coordinate care with D10 following the delivery to ensure that the family could be together as long as possible following the birth and leading up to the eventual loss of the father.  

Nominated by Jennifer Pepin

Nominees: Anna Denis, April Joy Ilagan, Catherine Gagnon, Melissa Robertson, Sophia Kapellas, Sara Yassa, Pouneh Mohanna, Tania Vicentijevic, Vicky Morin, Anne Ross  

12. Wendy Wray, RVH-Ambulatory Services - Valerie Shannon Award recognizing someone who has made an outstanding contribution to nursing throughout their whole career 

Wendy Wray began her career at the RVH 50 years ago! Her experience has revolved around different spheres of cardiology. Wendy has taken a particular interest in prevention as she founded and previously co-chaired the Montreal Chapter of Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association. In 2009, she also pioneered the MUHC for Women’s Healthy Heart Initiative (WHHI) at the RVH and is still the active director. Her advocacy for primary prevention in women has helped narrow disparities in care between genders.  

Through Wendy’s initiatives and leadership, she brought awareness on many levels to women’s cardiovascular health. She locally started the “Wear Red Canada" movement in 2009, which takes place each February 13th to remind everyone that heart disease is the number one killer in women. This movement has gained nationwide attention in 2019 through the partnership of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA). 

Through her Women’s Healthy Heart clinic, Wendy has been educating patients and families on risk factors and empowers them to improve their outcomes for the last 15 years. Her team has been able to appreciate the positive impacts of the program on their patients. 

Wendy has also started the annual Women’s Healthy Heart Symposium in 2019 to help educate health care professionals on the under recognition and undertreatment of women’s heart disease.  Wendy has also shone a light on the power and impact that the nursing profession has on education and primary prevention with patients. This initiative is the first collaborative nursing led program that focuses on prevention of women’s heart disease in Canada.  

Nominated by Lelia Holden and Allans Niderman.

Nominees: Jennifer Cohen, Daniela Ruscio, Georgia Niarchos, Wendy Wray, Martin Sills