RNAO Recognition Awards

Daniela Acosta, RN, GNC(C), is a practice leader at The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, an innovative senior’s village in Ottawa. Driven by her belief that there is opportunity for growth and success everywhere, Daniela is dedicated to mentoring and building capacity in others.

Daria Adèle Juüdi-Hope knew she had a calling when, as a young child in eastern DR Congo, she witnessed an aunt die from what she understood, even then, as something from which no one should die. The dedication of relief workers she witnessed in refugee camps made her vow to pay forward the compassion she received.

Currently in independent practice, Claire Lynn Joseph works as a certified neuroscience advanced practice nurse (APN) with Nurse on Board Inc., in Ottawa. She supports complex clients and families to overcome barriers to care through advocacy, navigation and care management.

Dr. Louela Manankil-Rankin is an assistant professor with the Nipissing University School of Nursing’s Second-Degree Entry Accelerated Scholar Practitioner Program (SPP), located in Toronto. Louela co-led the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO)-Academic designation team that achieved BPSO designation in early 2021. She highlights the work of her students as partners in propelling the learning related to best practice guideline (BPG) uptake in nursing students of the SPP.

Comella Levers has been a registered nurse for 27 years. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing as well as master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in health-care administration and specialization in gerontology. Comella works at Toronto’s Humber River Hospital as the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) clinical lead. She completed an RNAO Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship (ACPF) and has mentored other fellows for the program.

Tania Paolini is a registered nurse and the manager of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) at The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre (Perley Rideau), the largest long-term care facility in Ottawa.  Tania has always been passionate about working with the frail elderly and quickly jumped at the opportunity to manage the Infection and Prevention and Control program at Perley Rideau in 2016.

Tammie McParland always wanted to teach. Since 2008, she has been an assistant professor in nursing at Nipissing University in North Bay, teaching across all years and several courses in the undergraduate program. She graduated from a hospital diploma program in 1980. In 1994, she completed a BScN, then a master’s degree in nursing with a teaching focus in 2006. She achieved her PhD in education, with specialization in nursing education, in 2015.

Martine Puts is an associate professor in the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto. She loves working with older adults and their families. “I learn so much from working with them,” she says.

Mahoganie Hines is a palliative pain and symptom management consultant for Hospice Niagara. She is an active member in her community. Currently, she volunteers her time acting as RNAO’s policy and political action executive network officer (ENO) for both the Niagara Chapter and Palliative Care Nurses Interest Group (PCNIG). She also sits on the newly formed national Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association (CPCNA) as secretary/treasurer.

Susan Lepine always wanted to be either a nurse or a teacher. Happily, she has been able to combine both. She started her career as a diploma nurse and subsequently obtained a BScN and master’s degree in education. For 47 years, Susan has worked in the NICU setting.

Shanna Anness knew at a very young age that she wanted to make a difference. During her time at Lakehead University, it became apparent that she wanted to devote her life to bettering others’ health through nursing. Shanna currently works for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay. She recently accepted a position as the occupational health coordinator at St. Joseph’s Care Group.

Lisa De Panfilis is a master’s prepared registered nurse who works in an outpatient psychiatry clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She is the vice president of RNAO’s Hamilton Chapter. In this role, she recruits
and mentors nursing students, organizes events and supports government advocacy work.

Booshoo! From Sandy Lake First Nation BPSO (Indigenous Focused). Our team consists of me, Greta Meekis (Team Lead – Child Wellness), Lyndsey Kakepetum (Prenatal Nutrition), and Carmel Meekis (Indigenous doula – Maternal Child Health). 

My name is Catherine Joan Rae and I am the health director for Sandy Lake First Nation.  I have worked in the health field for many years.  My goal has been for my home community to have access to the best health care and to lead happy, active and healthy lives. 

As a student who began in a science program at Western University six years ago, Huda Mohamed never thought she would transition into nursing. However, the leap of faith that she took in pursuing this profession has been “one of the best decisions in my life,” she says.