

On this page: Award categories | 2021 winners | Previous year's winners
The RNAO Recognition Awards are presented annually to recognize individuals and groups that make significant contributions to RNAO's mandate of speaking out for nursing and speaking out for health. To honour these individuals and groups, consider nominating a colleague, yourself or your organization for one of RNAO's prestigious Recognition Awards.
Status: Closed
Category | Awards |
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Leadership | Leadership in BPG Implementation Lifetime Achievement
Leadership in BPG Implementation Award
This is awarded to the registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioner (NP), or Ontario-based health-care organization that promotes excellence in nursing practice and nursing work-life balance.
The recipient of this award works to enhance the image of nursing through the committed use and advancement of RNAO’s best practice guidelines (BPG) in the workplace. Nursing Administration Nursing Administration
The RNAO Leadership Award in Nursing Administration is offered to the RN or NP who provides exemplary nursing management by acting as a change agent, resource and mentor within their professional setting. This individual actively collaborates with health-care teams to enhance patient care through the development and implementation of innovative and creative strategies.
Nursing Education (Academic) Nursing Education
The RNAO Leadership Award in Nursing Education Academic is awarded to the RN or NP who practises excellence as a nursing educator in a college or university setting.
This individual enhances the image of nursing by encouraging critical thinking, innovation and debate about important nursing issues and acts as a role model and mentor in their work environment. Nursing Research Nursing Research
The RNAO Leadership Award in Nursing Research is awarded to the RN or NP who actively explores innovative ideas in nursing research. This individual enhances the image of nursing by engaging in efforts to disseminate research knowledge, and is in dialogue with RNs, NPs and nursing students to identify nursing research needs. The member has a proven ability to attract research funding and actively participates in the activities of professional organizations.
Political Action Political Action
The RNAO Leadership Award in Political Action is awarded to an RN or NP who acts as a change agent, resource and mentor through political action. This individual is actively involved in discussions with MPPs/MPs, other decision-makers and media that benefit the health of individuals, or communitie
President’s Award in Clinical Nursing Practice President’s Award for Leadership in Clinical Nursing Practice
The RNAO President’s Award for Leadership in Clinical Nursing Practice is awarded to the RN or NP who consistently demonstrates expertise and evidence-informed practice in one or more areas of clinical practice in a staff nurse position. This member enhances the role of nursing by demonstrating nursing leadership in their workplace and influencing change for the betterment of patients, families and/or communities.
The winner(s) of this award will receive a $2,000 scholarship or $2,000 towards attending the next Canadian Nurses Association or International Council of Nurses conference. Funding for this award is generously provided by HUB International Ontario Limited, RNAO’s group home and auto insurance provider. |
Education/mentorship | Nursing Education (Staff Development)
Leadership Award in Nursing Education - Staff Development
The RNAO Leadership Award in Nursing Education Staff Development is awarded to an RN or NP that practises excellence as a nurse educator in a health-care setting. This individual enhances the role of nursing by encouraging critical thinking, innovation and debate about important nursing issues and acts as a role model and mentor in their work environment.
Student Mentorship Leadership Award in Student Mentorship
The RNAO Leadership Award in Student Mentorship is awarded to the RN or NP who demonstrates outstanding practice as a nurse educator, mentor or preceptor in health care. This individual enhances the role of the RN and/or NP by encouraging critical thinking, evidence-informed practice and initiates discussion about important nursing issues that encourage action and change. This individual is resourceful, adapting teaching to maximize learning opportunities that will contribute to student engagement and action. The nursing program supporting the nominee promotes RNAO initiatives and activities, as well as membership.
Award of Merit Award of Merit
The RNAO Award of Merit is awarded to an RN or NP who has made outstanding contributions to RNAO and the nursing profession in Ontario. This resourceful individual is a change-maker, advocating for, promoting and initiating changes to improve healthy public policy through RNAO initiatives. This person serves as a resource and mentor contributing to and enhancing the role of the RN/NP in Ontario.
HUB Fellowship (an opportunity to shadow RNAO's CEO Doris Grinspun) HUB Fellowship
The RNAO HUB Fellowship provides an RN or NP with the opportunity to get in the thick of things with a one-week placement with RNAO’s CEO. The $2,000 HUB fellowship is generously sponsored by RNAO’s group home and auto insurance provider, HUB International Ontario Limited.
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Group |
Chapter of the Year
Chapter of the Year
The RNAO Chapter of the Year award is awarded to the RNAO chapter or region without chapters (RWC) that best exemplifies a commitment to RNAO through active promotion, participation and initiation of projects that promote healthy public policy and the role of the RN, NP and nursing students in their region. The chapter or RWC uses a variety of media and communication tools to effectively engage with their region; influence decision-makers and mobilize RN/NPs for action. The chapter or RWC demonstrates strong leadership in their nursing and health-care community. Their activities reflect RNAO’s ENDs.
Interest Group of the Year Interest Group of the Year
The RNAO Interest Group of the Year best demonstrates commitment to the nursing profession and active participation in the association’s initiatives. The interest group effectively communicates through a variety of means, which influences decision-makers and mobilizes RNs and NPs for action. This interest group exhibits exemplary teamwork and strong leadership within the nursing and health-care community.
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Student Undergrad |
Student of Distinction
Student of Distinction
The RNAO Student of Distinction Award recognizes a current undergraduate nursing student who has made significant contributions acting as a change agent, resource, and mentor within her/his undergraduate nursing program. This individual must show active involvement in RNAO Region/Chapters/Interest Groups.
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Member of the Public |
Friend of Nursing
Honoured Friend of Nursing Award
The Honoured Friend of Nursing Award is awarded to an individual who is not a nurse who has made outstanding contributions to the nursing profession. The individual will have demonstrated outstanding leadership and collaboration within the nursing community at the provincial level.
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"Finding a voice has to do with patient advocacy...standing up for what's right for the patient."
Leadership Award in Nursing Education
"I feel like I've grown up with RNAO. It is an awesome responsibility to teach others about what this grand profession is about."
Award of Merit
"I think the primary goal of implementing a Best Practice Guideline is to really influence practice change and improve client outcomes."
Leadership Award in BPG Implementation
These awards acknowledge contributions made by volunteers and long-time members within the association. They also foster excellence in the nursing profession and promote the profession to the public by highlighting the best of nursing practice, education, research, administration and policy.
How to apply
Daniela Acosta, RN, GNC(C), is a practice leader at The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, an innovative senior’s village in Ottawa.
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.
Currently in independent practice, Claire Lynn Joseph works as a certified neuroscience advanced practice nurse (APN) with Nurse on Board Inc., in Ottawa.
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.
The Algoma Chapter executive includes Karen Belanger, Lorena Bressan, Adrienne Kappes, Jessica Dugas, Lyndsay Suurna, Irene Amadu-Azomani, Olivia Babic and J’aime-Rose Ferris. Liliana Bressan is the Region 11 board representative involved in the work of the chapter.
Ontario Nurses for the Environment Interest Group (ONEIG) proudly drives political action on key environmental health issues, including: water protection, environmental justice and climate action.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Susan Lepine always wanted to be either a nurse or a teacher. Happily, she has been able to combine both.
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
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.
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.
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).
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.
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