I’m always excited to open the call for nominations for our People First Awards program, but this year it means even more. Thanks to the My VCH survey, we are on a journey towards building a better culture; we are co-creating new organizational values, fostering new connections, and most important, making time and space for meaningful recognition.

The People First Awards are all about the latter. They exist to shine a light on those who truly go above and beyond, exemplifying a workplace culture that is caring, encourages learning and innovative thinking, and delivers the results our patients, clients and residents deserve. Like last year, we will be celebrating the winners, along with their invited guests, at an awards reception in June.

I’m looking forward to receiving your nominations by Friday, April 13—read on to find out how to take part!

Mary Ackenhusen
President and CEO

Who inspires you?

Start thinking about a special co-worker, leader or volunteer who is inspirational to you, and who stands out in one of the following categories:

Excellence in Person-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 (Clinical): This award is for an individual in a clinical role 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 Everyday – The Unsung Hero (Non-Clinical): This award is for an individual in a non-clinical role 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.

Excellence in Volunteering: This award is for a dedicated, compassionate individual or team* who has volunteered their time and energy to improve the health care system for their community and its residents.

*For logistical reasons, teams must be made up of fewer than 30 people. We know many people contribute to a program or project’s success but the intention of this award is to recognize the core team.

How do I nominate someone? Three easy steps!

The People First section on VCH Connect (internal link) 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: they 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. The key to a winning entry will be in the examples 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. Hard copies must be received by the deadline.

What is the deadline?

Nominations must be received by midnight on Friday, April 13, 2018.

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.

Questions?

For all of the details, visit the VCH Connect People First section (internal link) or contact PeopleFirstAwards@vch.ca.