Fifteen individuals and three teams honoured
Applause for the winners! Each year, the Awards of Excellence pay tribute to employees who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional user and patient care. This year, 15 employees and three teams took home awards, which were presented at the CIUSSS Public Information Meeting on October 22.
Each of the individual winners was nominated by their colleagues and managers, whose words of praise shine a light on the outstanding qualities of our staff. These excerpts from the nominators’ submissions reveal what makes these 2025 winners true standouts in our healthcare network.
Outstanding Manager Award
Michael Shulha, Digital Health; Associate to the Director, JGH
“From the conception of our team, Michael has been the wind to our sails—providing direction, momentum and encouragement. He empowers, inspires and supports us at every step, ensuring we have the tools, clarity and alignment needed to advance with confidence toward a shared vision.”
Senait Meskele, Nursing; Director, Family Medicine Obstetrics Group, JGH
“Senait was present on the unit daily for long hours, wore the uniform to pitch in during busy times, and even stepped into the educator role when necessary. She set a clear standard for the quality of patient care she expected and, gradually, the team began to mirror her commitment and professionalism.”
Chloé Décarie-Drolet, Nursing; Head Nurse, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, JGH
“One of the most endearing qualities about Chloé is her intense love of nursing. No matter how far her various roles might take her from the bedside, she always finds a way to be present for patients and families. These gestures provide excellent modelling for her nurses, reinforcing that no matter what your nursing role, the patient and family are always the focus.”
Excellence in Intern Supervision Award
Stefanie Lam, Pharmacist; Pharmacy Department, JGH
“Compassion, dignity and respect in their quest for learning: Stefanie welcomes residents as they are, and supports them to become better and get ready to provide the best possible care to current and future clients.”
Marie Conrad, Physiotherapist; Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, JGH
“Marie’s passion and enthusiasm for her profession are contagious. Students under her supervision are excited by the opportunities to learn and to have a positive impact on a patient’s well-being. She is able to strike a balance between challenging the students outside of their comfort zones while providing reassuring support and guidance—creating a safe space for questioning and learning.”
Anne-Marie Sénécal, Occupational Therapist; Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, Mackay site
“Anne-Marie is recognized as one of our ‘superstars’ in the supervision of occupational therapy interns. She demonstrates a positive, constructive and collaborative attitude with her interns, creating a motivating and safe internship environment.”
New Recruit Award
Fressa Gomintong, Nurse;SAPA Long-Term Care, Saint Margaret Residential Centre
“Fressa has consistently focused on meeting the needs of both residents and her team. She adapts quickly during staffing or assignment changes, maintaining a positive attitude and stepping in wherever needed to support colleagues. She leads by example, offering help during busy times, assisting with feeding residents, and ensuring care is delivered with dignity and compassion.”
Patrick Turgeon, Social Worker; Frontline Integrated Services, CLSC de Côte-des-Neiges/Outremont Point of Service
“Patrick fully embodies the mission and values of the CIUSSS, including compassion, respect, excellence and collaboration. His people-centred approach is reflected in everything he does: he acts with empathy, integrity and professionalism, always putting the needs of families first.”
Monica Lubczynski, Physiotherapist; Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, Richardson Hospital
“Monica has a natural ability to connect with patients on a human level, which not only enhances not only their therapeutic experience, but their outcomes. Her contagious energy brings lightness to what can often be a difficult rehabilitation journey, encouraging patients to persevere through challenges.”
Outstanding Contribution: Clinical Award
Maha Ghozayel, Occupational Therapist; Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, CLSC de Côte-des-Neiges and Plaza site
“Maha always has a calm, reassuring approach and listens with empathy. She always approaches her work with the same professionalism, without judgment and with respect. Maha is definitely a role model for all her colleagues, including those in other professions.”
Ann Stirling, Licensed Practical Nurse; Quality, Transformation, Evaluation, Value, Clinical & Organizational Ethics, and Virtual Care – Flow, JGH
“To say that Ann goes ‘above and beyond’ in her dedication to patients would be an understatement. Time and again, she demonstrates empathy, professional responsibility and a deep commitment to ensuring that each patient’s real needs are met.”
Alexandra Barbeau-Morrison, Speech-Language Pathologist; Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, JGH “Alexandra consistently demonstrates exceptional respect, empathy, and professionalism in every aspect of her clinical practice.She carefully takes the time to listen and engage with both patients and their families, ensuring that their concerns are acknowledged and incorporated into care planning.”
Outstanding Contribution: Administrative and Internal Support Award
Fotini Bokokas, Administrative Technician; Nursing, JGH Palliative Care Unit
“A Palliative Care Unit, where patients and families are living some of their most difficult moments, is a place where compassion is paramount. There has not been one instance, not one moment, in which Fotini did not meet the highest standard of compassion, respect and care. We have all been privileged to work alongside her grace and humanity.”
Marcela Jimenez, Administrative Assistant; Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, Richardson Hospital – Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre
“Marcela sets the tone for patient care with her warmth, professionalism and efficiency. Whether greeting patients in person, answering the phone or managing inquiries by email, she consistently ensures that individuals feel welcomed, respected, and reassured. Marcela is truly the glue that holds our clinic together.”
Team Award
Nursing /Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services Team for Preceptorship and Clinical Support, JGH. Interprofessional training: a common module for preceptors and supervisors in clinical settings.
This interdisciplinary initiative, born out of a partnership between Nursing and Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, aims to strengthen the teaching skills of professional preceptors and support staff working with their colleagues and learners.
The Catherine Booth Admission Planning Team – Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, Catherine Booth Hospital.
“Before May of this year, the units experienced a high number of patient room transfers. The team responded by identifying unnecessary transfers as a major risk factor and collaborated with the multidisciplinary team to redefine transfer criteria. Although it demanded adjustment at first, the team ultimately embraced the change, recognizing its impact on patient safety. Transforming this challenge into an opportunity became the cornerstone of the team’s success.”
Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS): Powering Care Without Interruption – Information Technology (IT) and Technical Services (TS) Teams
“Powering Care Without Interruption was a major infrastructure project, in which IT and TS completely redesigned the electrical backbone—that is, the essential network of wires and equipment—that supplies electricity to the CIUSSS Data Centre, all while ensuring zero interruption to operations. This project stands as a transformative initiative within CIUSSS, redefining how infrastructure supports patient care.”
The Awards of Excellence are an initiative of the Employee Advisory Committee—consisting of a cross-section of employees from across our network—in collaboration with the Employee Recognition and Engagement division of the Human Resources Department.
