After evaluating more than 80 nominations and much deliberation, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the new People First Awards. What’s more, the competition was so tough that we decided to create two awards for each category: the Award of Excellence for the highest-scoring nomination and the Award of Merit for up to two runners-up.

The 2015 winners                             

Excellence Everyday – The Unsung Hero

This award is for an individual who has consistently gone above and beyond without fanfare to the benefit of the organization and the people around them, whether they are patients or fellow staff members.

Award of Excellence

• Natascha Greco, medical radiation technologist, LGH

Award of Merit

• Delia Bortignon, analyst/administrative assistant to Deb Blaney and Management Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Services and Compensation & Classification, Employee Engagement
• Tracy Sutherland, portfolio clerk, Regional Staffing Service (recognized for her work as a staffing coordinator at Three Bridges Community Health Centre)

Excellence in Patient-Centred Care

This award is for an individual who goes above and beyond to support their patients, clients or residents in the delivery of high quality care and services while upholding professional standards.

Award of Excellence

• Lise Belanger, clinical nurse specialist, Spinal Cord Unit, VGH

Award of Merit

• Melody Karpiak, registered nurse, Psychiatry, VGH
• Telma Ramirez, registered nurse, Operating Room, VGH

Excellence in Teamwork and Collaboration

This award is for a team that has come together to problem-solve, break down boundaries and/or create new relationships, finding sustainable solutions to health care challenges.

Award of Excellence

• Daisy Project, Kiwanis Care Centre

Award of Merit

• Critical Care Outreach Team, VGH
• Cardiac Surgery Quality Improvement Team, VGH

Excellence in Innovation

This award is for an individual who uses their courage and creativity to bring forward innovative solutions that challenge the status quo, improve quality and move us toward a more sustainable health care system.

Award of Excellence

• Cathy Duerksen, clinical educator, Vancouver Community IV Program, Robert and Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre

Award of Merit

• Maureen Duggan, physiotherapist and hand therapist, Ambulatory Care, VGH (recognized for her recent role as a practice coordinator, Surgical & Ambulatory Services, Professional Practice, VGH and UBCH)

Excellence in Leadership

This award is for a respected, compassionate leader who inspires their peers and team with their thirst for excellence.

Award of Excellence

• Sandra Edelman, manager, Public Health & Chronic Disease Services, Parkgate Community Health Centre

Award of Merit

• Elizabeth Stanger, operations director, Coastal Community of Care
• Karen Barclay, program manager, Mental Health & Addiction Services, Richmond Community Care

Let the celebrations begin

Watch our blog, Up for Discussion, in the coming weeks as we count down to the awards ceremony by recognizing the winners in each category and giving everyone an opportunity to offer their kudos in the comments.

The awards reception for the winners and their guests will be held on June 24, 2015 to celebrate their outstanding contributions to VCH.

Congratulations, and thank you

We knew it would be difficult to choose winners from such an esteemed, inspirational group of nominees – it stands to reason because these individuals are representative of the outstanding work I see happening all across VCH each and every day.  Thank you to everyone who spent time nominating their leader or coworker for an award and to our volunteers on the selection committee (senior executive team members, a public representative, directors and frontline staff).

On behalf of the Senior Executive Team, I sincerely want to congratulate the winners—and the nominees—for this honour.

Please congratulate the winners in the comments section below. They deserve it!

Mary Ackenhusen
President and CEO
Vancouver Coastal Health