from the June 1, 2010 issue of Connect

The Heart of Health Care

Every year during the week of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, Canada honours the profession of nursing that was pioneered by this remarkable woman. And this year from May 10-16, Women’s College Hospital celebrated Nursing Week with a number of exciting events.

The hallmark event was the Nursing Awards Luncheon, held on May 14 in Emily Stowe’s Café. Awards were presented to the following individuals and teams:

• Excellence in Ambulatory Practice
  • Individual: Nicola Donovan
  • Team: the Combined Unit – UCC/CDU
• Excellence in Education
  • Individual: Andrea Messner
  • Team: PERC
• Excellence in Leadership
  • Individual: Judy Surridge   
• Excellence in Research
  • Individual: Janet Probst
  • Individual: Shelly Bouchard
• Excellence in Women’s Health
  • Individual: Ina R.
  • Team: Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Care Centre
• Jessie Young Award($5,000 scholarship)
  • Georgeta Savu
  • Karen Aniol
• Other nominees include
  • Alice Jacob
  • Cathy Fairlie
  • Sarah McCarthy
  • Victoria Scott
  • Marina Agard
  • Nicola Donovan
  • Leah Drazek
  • Rebecca Cornejo

It was a bittersweet ceremony. This would be the last nursing week Women’s College would celebrate alongside its Sunnybrook counterparts. Jane Mosley, chief nursing executive at the hospital, thanked all of the nurses who dedicate their time and effort to Women’s College.

“I want to compliment each of you for your hard work” she said. “You enable Women’s College to be the best we can be. One year ago I stood in front of you for the first time – what a triumph this year has been and we will only continue to grow.”

Other events included a formal tribute dedicated to nurses who have died or have been injured on the job. The memorial service was a reminder of the risks nurses face on a daily basis, and the hard work they do to ensure they are providing the best care to their patients.

The RBC Foundation announced a $700,000 donation to help Women’s College Hospital create new learning communities for nurses: the RBC Nursing Learning Community and the RBC Nursing Learning Community Centre.

Informative displays were set up in the main lobby and Lunch & Learn sessions presented new developments at the hospital and in ambulatory care nursing, helping to further the academic goals of Women’s College nurses.

As the enjoyable and educational week came to a close, Anne-Marie Murphy, chair of Nursing Week at Women’s College, thanked everyone who helped make it such a success.

“We again thank all of the nurses at Women’s College for their dedication and never-ending efforts,” she said. “We hope it has left you enriched, inspired and proud to be a nurse.”

Update - On June 3, Shelley Bouchard and Ina R. were presented with their Nursing Awards.