Across our organization there are staff, physicians and leaders who are inspirational: they put people first, challenge the status quo, build strong relationships, think creatively, and provide compassionate care to our patients, clients and residents. You know who they are, but we’d all like to know who they are, too!

I’m excited to open the call for nominations for our revamped People First Awards program to honour those who truly go above and beyond in the workplace, moving us closer to achieving our True North goals. We will be celebrating the winners, along with their invited guests, at an awards reception in late June.

Who inspires you?

New award categories

There are five new categories for the People First Awards:

• 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.
• 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. A team can be any group of individuals—from different departments or units—who worked together to address a health care challenge.
• 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.
• 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.
• Excellence in Leadership: This award is for a respected, compassionate leader who inspires their peers and team with their thirst for excellence. The award is open to all formal or informal leaders (there is no need for a manager or director title) who are making a positive difference in clinical operations, corporate services or administration.

Who’s eligible?

The awards are open to staff, physicians, on-site contracted support services staff or volunteers working at Vancouver Coastal Health or Providence Health Care. These awards are not intended to recognize research or teaching accomplishments. Members of the People First Awards working group and selection committee (made up of your peers, a patient representative and VCH leaders) are not eligible.

What is the deadline?

Nominations must be received by Wednesday, April 1, 2015.

How do I nominate someone?

The People First section on VCH Connect has everything you need to know. Anyone working at VCH or PHC can submit a nomination following these easy steps:

1. Take a look at the award categories and criteria. Decide on the category that best suits your nominee. Nominees must meet one or more of the listed criteria.
2. Review the questions that are part of the online nomination form and prepare your answers in advance. Aside from providing contact details for you and your nominee, there are only three questions you need to answer! The key to a winning entry will be in the example(s) you provide that clearly show how they meet one or more of the listed criteria. Examples should be within the past year.
3. Complete the online nomination form or mail in a hard copy by Wednesday, April 1, 2015.

Questions?

For more details, visit the VCH Connect People First section or contact PeopleFirstAwards@vch.ca.

Our earlier article in VCH News – “Red carpet moments aren’t only for the Oscars” – highlights the changes of the re-launched awards program thanks to feedback from past winners.