RNAO Recognition Awards

Since graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University’s BScN program in 2020, Simon Donato-Woodger has worked on the COVID assistance and general medicine units at Kitchener’s Grand River Hospital, the acute care unit at Inuvik Regional Hospital in the Northwest Territories, and most recently the intensive care unit at Scarborough General Hospital.

Dania Versailles is a registered nurse who holds two master’s degrees. Over the past 29 years, she has exercised her leadership at the bedside, in professional practice, in education, management and research. As a director of clinical services at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Dania sees the impact that social determinants of health have on individuals who live with severe and persistent mental illness.

Mackenzie Thiessen recently graduated as a registered nurse from London’s Western University. Throughout her time as a student, she was an active advocate for nursing students and healthy work environments. Today, she continues her advocacy in her workplace, St. Joseph’s Healthcare London.

Emma Bingham is an RN with a wealth of clinical experience, currently working as a staff nurse in neurovascular and neurocritical care at Toronto Western Hospital. She holds a master’s of clinical nursing with a specialization in bioethics from the University of Toronto, where she is also an adjunct lecturer.

Jameal Reid is manager of professional practice at Trillium Health Partners (THP). She is a passionate leader and advocate for the collaboration of interprofessional teams to advance patient outcomes. With 20 years of health-care experience, Jameal has held multiple nursing roles, from bedside RN to informing and developing strategy. She brings a wealth of clinical knowledge to each role.

Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite is a past-president of RNAO, a member of RNAO’s Equity in Focus Consortium, and co-chair of the association’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force. She is an adjunct professor and associate graduate faculty member for Ontario Technology University in Oshawa. Angela has a PhD in nursing from the University of Toronto. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and has been appointed to the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada.

Nadia Prendergast, an assistant professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, completed her nursing in England and worked as a public health nurse when she came to Canada. She completed her master’s degree and PhD at the University of Toronto, where she focused her research on the experiences of internationally educated nurses within Canada.

Robyn Hodgson is an RN who currently holds the role of program coordinator and case manager for the Trans and Non-Binary Care Program at London InterCommunity Health Centre. Her early career was diversified, with 20 years focused on rural health, emergency and critical care.

Laura Pozzobon is a nursing leader and certified health executive who is passionate about improving health care in partnership with patients and families. Currently, she is the manager of quality, safety and clinical adoption across University Health Network. With expertise in quality and safety, Laura collaborates across the health system to enhance patient experiences and improve quality of care.

Susan Ferri has been an RN for close to 40 years. She has worked in acute care and for more than 20 years as a clinical nursing instructor. Susan promotes active membership in RNAO to her nursing students and encourages and enables them to be involved with RNAO. An example of this is her facilitation of student participation in a Nursing Students of Ontario (NSO) event on Nov. 14, 2023: #HealthcareForAll: Achieving equitable and inclusive health care in Canada.

Dr. Lisa Cranley is an associate professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto. She is cross-appointed (status only) to the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Institute for Life Course and Aging. She also holds an adjunct appointment at the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing. Lisa is a health services researcher whose research supports healthy work environments and quality of care delivery in the long-term care (LTC) sector.

Andrea Keller has been an RN for more than 35 years in various frontline roles and in leadership. In March 2017, Andrea lost her oldest son, Tyler, to toxic drug poisoning. Andrea belongs to the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Community Drug Strategy Advisory Committee, and is a member of Mom’s Stop the Harm. She also acts as co-chair for the Kingston Chapter of RNAO. She participates annually in International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug.

Paula Manuel has been actively involved with RNAO since 1992, when she was invited to serve on the executive of the Staff Nurse Interest Group (SNIG). Paula has been a staff nurse and a clinical services manager.

Emma Bingham is an RN with a wealth of clinical experience, currently working as a staff nurse in neurovascular and neurocritical care at Toronto Western Hospital. She holds a master’s of clinical nursing with a specialization in bioethics from the University of Toronto, where she is also an adjunct lecturer.

Since graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University’s BScN program in 2020, Simon Donato-Woodger has worked on the COVID assistance and general medicine units at Kitchener’s Grand River Hospital, the acute care unit at Inuvik Regional Hospital in the Northwest Territories, and most recently the intensive care unit at Scarborough General Hospital.

Arpita Roy is a dedicated bachelor of science in nursing student at Georgian College, embarking on her third year of study. With a passion for advocacy and excellence, she has actively contributed to her nursing program as a peer mentor and resource. Her leadership skills and involvement in RNAO highlight her commitment to advancing nursing practice.