I would like to nominate Alana Alexander with Substance Use and Recovery. Alana is our registered nurse working in the Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine Clinic. Her clients are those dealing with addictions. Many of her clients have opioid use disorder – a chemical and psychological dependency on opioids. The most important part of her nursing job is making her clients feel seen and heard. Making sure as many of their health-care needs as possible are met and providing support navigating the health-care system is the most important part of her job. Seeing my clients get their lives back brings her so much joy. Through managing their addiction, she gets to see clients reunite with their families, repair their relationships, return to work, and so much more.

Angie has been the CRN (Clinical Resource Nurse) in the Ambulatory Care Clinic for seven years and a nurse at Women’s Hospital for over 32 years. She is very caring with both staff and patients. Her disposition is always positive. She is the person with all the answers and is the “go to” for all staff, physicians, patients and other team members. She is a great example of compassionate care to all and she is an expert in women’s health. I am fortunate to call her my teammate!

Annie is a dedicated Nurse Educator, committed to excellence in nursing practice and the support of her team. She is driven, passionate, attentive to details, and creative! She is an integral leader on the Women’s Health Educator team, an incredible educator, and a compassionate, caring nurse to the patients she serves.

Brenda has been a Psychiatric Emergency Nurse in both Children’s and Adult ER at HSC since before I started here 10 years ago. She is the first person that our kids with mental health issues see when they come to our department in crisis, and she works with them and with their families to de-escalate situations, access resources, and get the care that they need. Brenda is great because on the surface she has a tough, no-nonsense attitude, but she is able to reach these kids and get them to open up to her. We have had many patients present to our ER and ask for her by name as they just need to talk some things out, and she always makes time for them. She is an invaluable member of our care team and all of our nurses and physicians recognize her expertise.

Bryan is a nurse, a father, a husband, a small business owner, and a friend to all. Bryan moved to Winnipeg in 2003 from Nigeria by himself. He attended U of Manitoba and graduated with his nursing degree and has not slowed down since. After working many years as a bedside nurse, he took the Clinical Resource Nurse (CRN) position on a very busy, acute medicine ward at St. Boniface Hospital. As the CRN he was an invaluable resource to his team – providing leadership and coordinating quality patient care. During the height of the pandemic Bryan came to work every day with a positive attitude, always there to support his colleagues, our patients and their families. He truly cares so much for people. Bryan has since taken a job as Hospital Supervisor – another very demanding job where he oversees staffing of the hospital and patient movement within the hospital to ensure patients receive timely care. With his background as a bedside nurse and CRN, Bryan has a great understanding of needs throughout the hospital and remains an excellent resource to all staff. He has shown, and indeed is recognized throughout the hospital as being a kind, gracious, humble, caring and wise individual. He truly is a friend to all. To know Bryan is to love Bryan!

In addition to providing education and support to her nursing colleagues and participating in Clinical Practice Guideline development, Christine spends time supporting women with traumatic births to prepare and plan for their next delivery. This time spent with women allows them to begin healing from past experiences and begin to develop optimism and excitement about their coming delivery.

I’d like to recognize Corrie Sondezi, the CRN with the Addictions Program. She consistently demonstrates dedication to providing the highest quality care to patients, while providing support and mentorship to new nurses. She has made a positive impact on the lives of patients and her peers. Her expertise in patient care, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills, make her an asset to the nursing profession as a whole. Her contributions to the Addictions team are unmatched.

Danielle not only works in the crazy environment of adult emergency at HSC, but also teaches nursing students through Red River College on her days off. Her compassion in teaching, gentle listening style, non-judgmental attitude, and positive outlook is what makes her an asset to the education of new nurses. She has also mentored senior practicum nurses in adult emergency (student nurses in the final stage of their degree), and provides a comforting environment for them to learn and gain confidence in.

Jennifer has been a nurse for 21 years and leads everything she does in her career and personal life with an abundance of empathy and compassion for others. She excels in matters of mental health and wellness, and although her career has taken her through many areas of nursing – from maternal/child, stroke rehab, several acute care surgical areas, home care and home care leadership and currently public health – she has just graduated recently as Manitoba’s first Certified Nurse Psychotherapist.

Jodi is such a caring and compassionate nurse for everyone in the area. She goes above and beyond to provide excellent nursing care to her patients. She is also a great co-worker, team player and mentor for new nurses and psychiatric nursing assistants.

Lauren is a caring and compassionate nurse. She goes above and beyond in her work every day. She will encourage people to get up to date immunizations and/or to follow up with their doctor for health concerns such as high blood pressure. She treats everyone with respect and dignity no matter who they are, and she goes above and beyond for people who lack knowledge of resources available to them and will refer them to appropriate resources if she can’t help them.

Leigh is a hardworking, compassionate nurse. She makes sure every patient who comes through our door is well taken care of. She inspires everyone to create a positive work environment in which staff work together as a fantastic team.