Fourth Annual Nursing Now Ontario Awards Celebrate Outstanding Nurses

Three extraordinary nurses who have gone above and beyond in making invaluable contributions to patients’ lives and the health-care system are being honoured at the fourth annual Nursing Now Ontario Awards (NNOA). These awards celebrate nursing excellence across the province in the categories of registered practical nurse (RPN), nurse practitioner (NP) and registered nurse (RN).

Timed to coincide with International Nurses' Day on May 12, the awards showcase the central role of Ontario’s nurses and build upon the goals of the Nursing Now campaign, a global initiative aimed at improving health around the world through nursing.

The NNOA are presented by three of Ontario’s nursing organizations — the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN), the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) and the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA). After reviewing more than 250 nominations, a panel of nurses selected the winners, each of whom demonstrates the qualities of an exceptional nurse with high professional standards, superior clinical skills and compassionate practice.

While there are countless nurses who have demonstrated outstanding work on the front lines and are deserving of recognition, these three nurses stood out for their commitment to leadership, compassion, contributions to nursing practice and dedication to the health and well-being of Ontarians.

Join us in celebrating the winners of the 2023 NNOA at a virtual awards ceremony on Friday, May 12 at 2 p.m. ET.

What: Nursing Now Ontario Awards presentation

When: May 12 at 2 p.m. ET

Who: Award recipients

• Sarah Goodreau, registered practical nurse (RPN)
• Lori Palozzi, nurse practitioner (NP)
• Ellie Neary, registered nurse (RN)

Presenters

• Dianne Martin, CEO, WeRPN
• Dr. Claudette Holloway, President, RNAO
• Dawn Armstrong, Region 1 Vice-President, ONA

Where/How: Please register online. Once you have registered, you will receive the Zoom details in an email. Reporters are welcome to attend.

Quotes

“Nurses are the heart of healthcare, and their perseverance and unwavering commitment to excellence, even in the face of adversity, is nothing short of extraordinary,” says WeRPN CEO, Dianne Martin. “WeRPN is honoured to celebrate these incredible nurses and proud to recognize their tireless efforts in providing exceptional care to those in need. Congratulations to this year’s NNOA winners and to all Ontario nurses.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the RPN, RN and NP recipients of the 2023 Nursing Now Ontario Awards for their outstanding contributions to patients, the profession and the health system,” says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. “RNAO salutes Ontario’s nurses in all domains, sectors and settings for their unwavering contributions to people’s health and wellbeing, and the many ways they positively impact communities. Thank you to this year’s winners and to all nurses — you’re a strong and inspiring collective!”

"Nurses continue to go above and beyond for their patients, residents and clients. Not only are nurses stressed and overwhelmed, and despite the devaluation of nurses' work by some decision-makers, nurses remain dedicated to providing safe, quality care. The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is proud of the tireless work that all nurses have undertaken, including strong advocacy work for safe care, improved workplace conditions and better staffing and care. On behalf of ONA, I congratulate all Ontario nurses,” says ONA Region 1 Vice-President, Dawn Armstrong, RN.

About us

WeRPN is the professional voice of Ontario's 60,000+ Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). WeRPN builds the profile and professional capacity of RPNs so they can better care for patients and better support their fellow health-care workers. For more information about WeRPN, visit werpn.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry. Visit www.ona.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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