read more
WINNER
Lanette Siragusa
Manitoba
read more
WINNER
Christopher Picard 
Alberta
read more
CLOSED
 ADJUDICATING IN PROGRESS
read more
CLOSED
ADJUDICATING IN PROGRESS
read more
OPENS May 1, 2021

Nominate a STAR!

Click the button below to nominate someone you think deserves to receive an NTF Excellence Award. You will be redirected to a form that you can fill out to complete your nomination.

PLEASE READ DESCRIPTIONS above for Award Criteria
Please ensure you have the following before proceeding:
  • Name, ground address, email, phone for nominator and nominee
  • Nominee verbal permission
  • 1500 character (with spaces) overview of nominee attributes
  • ONE additional letter from a supporter in PDF format
  • Unlimited Text
  • Letterhead Required
  • Please note the affiliation of the supporter
  • Email address in signature
  • MUST be signed (electronic is accepted)
nominate

Torch Award WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS 
Lia Sanzone

Professor Lia Sanzone is the epitome of supportive leadership in McGill University’s Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN). From her role as Director of the B.Sc. (N.) program, to her work on integrating Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) in the nursing curriculum, to her supervision of the Nursing Peer Mentorship Program (NPMP), Prof. Sanzone strives to prepare students for a smooth transition into the nursing profession. Her engagement with the IBL pedagogy enhances the learning experience for hundreds of students by providing opportunities to practice communication and critical thinking in a safe environment which improves students’ confidence in the transition to professional practice. Under Prof. Sanzone’s direction, the NPMP program has flourished and hosted multiple interprofessional events for students including French Language and ASL workshops, peer support discussions, and nursing theory review sessions. Her endless support for student initiatives has fostered a community of professional and peer support that reaches far beyond the walls of any classroom. Prof. Sanzone is not only the heart of peer mentorship initiatives at ISoN; she also advances knowledge with her research on the value of mentorship and peer learning to support new nursing graduates across professional settings. Suffice to say, Prof. Lia Sanzone is a deserving candidate for the Torch Award as she continues to light the way to healthy and supportive nursing experiences for students and new graduates alike.
Show MoreShow Less

New Graduate Excellence Award WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS 
Kirstie Grimard

It is through Kirstie’s courage to challenge the status quo and her ability to empower others that she has demonstrated outstanding leadership within our organization, making her truly deserving of the New Graduate Excellence Award from Nursing the Future. Since Kirstie is not only new to our team, but also to the profession of Nursing, her marked leadership skill has set her apart from her peers as a promising leader in our profession and within the long-term care industry. Since starting at our organization, Kirstie’s courage has led to improved patient care and positive process change. She has also taken the initiative to empower herself and others, contributing to a more engaged caregiver community.

Teaching Excellence WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS 
Christopher Picard

NOMINATOR: Cristina Burnett
LETTER OF SUPPORT: Richard Drew

Christopher Picard has shown his commitment to education, research and professional advancement through numerous venues such as journal submissions, research and teaching within the department. He is engaged, committed and inspired to push nursing and our profession forward. He displays his commitment to his own learning and education by instructing Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Mental Health First Aid, and Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS). This gives Chris the freedom and advantage to teach others. Chris has brought to our department numerous new challenges and learning opportunities such as nurse initiated peripheral ultrasound guided intravenous insertion, CPR feedback devices, and high-fidelity simulation. Each new protocol or learning opportunity presented by Chris is always backed with the best evidence-based information, or from research he is a part of. Outside the department, Chris sits on numerous boards and research teams and introduced ground-breaking research surrounding at home smart devices assisting with emergencies. His engaging personality and innovative spirit bring passion and enthusiasm to our department. Chris has presented both his own and collaborative research at numerous venues and has articles have been published in multiple academic journals. There is no better candidate for this award than Chris. He has accomplished so much in a small amount of time and he is someone to watch for as he will help drive us forward.

Show MoreShow Less

Strength in the Storm WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS 
Lanette Siragusa

NOMINATOR: Kathy Doerksen
LETTER OF SUPPORT: Michelle Queau

Lanette Siragusa is the Provincial Lead, Health System Integration & Quality and Chief Nursing Officer of Shared Health in Manitoba.

In January 2020, with the emergence of COVID-19, Lanette also became the Co-Incident Commander of Manitoba’s COVID-19 response. This leader ensured inclusivity, integration and innovation by pulling leaders together, welcoming new ideas and fostering a “solution focused” approach to the daily challenges. 

She pitched in wherever help was needed, always expressing gratitude for the efforts of others, including those staff who were reassigned and those who came from elsewhere to help. Lanette’s role included near daily press conferences where she provided updates on health system capacity while always recognizing the efforts of the health care workers. Lanette began most updates with a “shout out”, highlighting a health care hero or a community that acted out of kindness or compassion.

Her calm and reassuring presence has been met with cards and emails of thanks and many personal exchanges with health care workers, families and members of the public. In the words of her own son, Lanette is “one of the strongest women out there. She’s always been a role model to me with her work ethic and drive. She doesn’t stop working until her head hits the pillow”.

When approached for permission to submit her name, Lanette responded in typical fashion by saying “the strength of every Manitoba nurse in this COVID storm has been so extraordinary, I am humbled that you thought of me and very honored."
Show MoreShow Less
Nursing The Future™ acknowledges that nurses across this country live, work and play on the lands of our Indigenous Ancestors and we join our members in expressing respectful gratitude for this privilege.
thumbs-up linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram