This year’s recipients of the People First Awards were honoured at a presentation ceremony on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 22, where they received their certificates and trophies.

Click the arrows to scroll through the event photo gallery below and be sure to check out what the excellence award winners’ co-workers said about them by clicking the [VIDEO] links next to their names. Oh, and make sure you say congratulations in the comments section below!

Video

Check out a video highlights of the June 22 ceremony.

Photos

The 2016 winners                             

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

• Catherine Nocente, Registered Nurse, Shorncliffe Intermediate Care Facility, Sechelt – [VIDEO]

Awards of Merit

• Bina Kopit, Social Worker, Intensive Care Unit, Vancouver General Hospital
• Fabio Romeo, Peer Coordinator, Assertive Community Treatment, Vancouver Community

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

• Jacquie Steglich, Registered Nurse, Emergency, Squamish General Hospital – [VIDEO]

Awards of Merit

• Mary Burck, Care Management Leader, Cardiac Units, Vancouver General Hospital
• Pauline Reece-Peterson, Care Management Leader, Cardiac Units, Vancouver General Hospital

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

• Tertiary Older Adult Assessment & Treatment Unit, Vancouver General Hospital – [VIDEO]

Awards of Merit

• Catheterization/Electrophysiology  Lab Staff, Vancouver General Hospital
• Mental Health & Substance Use Team, Richmond

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

• Victor Brittain, Regional Practice Coordinator – Medical, Residential Care, ICU, Emergency, Vancouver – [VIDEO]

Awards of Merit

• David Handley, Vice President, Business Partnerships, Business Initiatives & Support Services
• Conrad Cone, Management Development Advisor, People & Culture, Employee Engagement

Leadership

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

Award of Excellence

• Gail Malenstyn, Director, Surgery, Procedural Care & Medical Administration, Richmond Hospital – [VIDEO]

Awards of Merit

• Kulwinder Sangha, Interim Patient Services Manager, Solid Organ Transplant, Gynecology, Urology, Plastics, Women’s Clinic, Vancouver General Hospital
• Kathryn Embacher, Patient Services Manager, Inpatient Psychiatry, Vancouver General Hospital
• Dr. Hazel Park, Medical Director, Regional Trauma Program, VCH/PHC, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, UBC, Emergency Physician/Trauma Team Leader,  Lions Gate Hospital

Volunteer Excellence

This award is for an individual or group who has volunteered their time to improve the health care system for their community.

• Advance Care Planning Team, Community Engagement Advisory Network – [VIDEO]

Q&As with the winners

Over the past few weeks, the Up For Discussion blog interviewed some of the winners about their awards.