“Exceptional.” “A beacon of light.” “Outstanding.” “A role model. “An inspiring leader.”
These are just some of the superlatives used to describe the recipients of the 2024 Awards of Excellence of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal. In sites and directorates across our network, winners of these third annual awards have left their mark on their workplace and improved the lives of patients, clients and residents.
The nominations by co-workers and managers (excerpted below) provide a glimpse into the quality of our staff and the appreciation of those who work alongside them. Read about the nurses, social workers, managers, occupational therapists and others who have been honoured with Awards of Excellence this year. Prizes were awarded at the CIUSSS’s Public Information Meeting on November 6.
The awards 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 Program of the Organizational Development and Training Department.
Going Beyond Award
Claudie Desgagné: Nursing; Nurse, JGH – Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Claudie makes a significant difference in how care is provided. Her years of experience and commitment to furthering her knowledge make her an essential resource for the team. New nurses will frequently say, “I’ll go ask Claudie.” She is always willing to help and is a vocal advocate for the new nurses.
Her high ethical standards and professionalism are further demonstrated in how she speaks of the patients. Sometimes families in crisis may be challenging to work with. Claudie speaks of these families with empathy, trying to focus on what they must be going through, rather than the difficulties of the interaction.
Michael Ya: Frontline Integrated Services; Nurse Clinician, Outremont Point of Service
Michael is what we call a quiet force. He’s a person who’s present, listens and analyzes what’s discussed in a team or individually, and knows how to reassure others when there are questions. He brings a positive and calm presence to the team.
Moreover, Michael always volunteers to help wherever there’s a need, whether it’s to assist a student who doesn’t have access to their school nurse, or to help his colleagues.
Donna-Sue Kernohan: Quality, Transformation, Evaluation, Value, Clinical and
Organizational Ethics, and Virtual Care; Licensed practical nurse, JGH.
Donna-Sue is a beacon of light in our Virtual Care Program team. She is always positive, energetic and caring. She makes sure her team is feeling empowered and happy. She makes everyone feel special in small ways and big ways, whether it is with a birthday cake or cheering them on for accomplishing something difficult for the first time.
We thought she went above and beyond for her team, and the way she cares for her patients is on another level. She leverages her experience from her 40-year career to accompany families in ways they didn’t even know they needed. She is truly a role model.
New Recruit Award
Khristine Grace Abillon, Nursing; Nurse, JGH – Family Medicine
Khristine is described by many of her colleagues as being consistently positive (and smiling!!), approachable and a true team-player. Despite the stresses and challenges inherent in a given work shift on the unit, when Khristine is working, her colleagues feel supported and reassured, confident that her optimistic demeanor, willingness to help and collaboration will contribute to a smoother, more effective work experience.
Khristine takes the time to listen to her patients’ needs, no matter how long it may take. Her approach is always calm, empathetic and caring.
Nathalie El-Haddad, Nursing; Administrative Processes Specialist, JGH
Nathalie is a major asset to the oncology team at the CIUSSS. As a project manager, she has successfully managed the implementation of several major large-scale projects.
Over the past two years, Nathalie has developed her new role and built a practice that demonstrates an exceptional level of maturity. Nathalie is an example of an inspiring leader within our teams and various professional groups.
Sabrina Lambert: Frontline Integrated Services; Social Worker, Outremont Point of Service
Sabrina joined the school team last year. She quickly distinguished herself through her professional curiosity and her thirst for learning, in order to meet the needs of the young people she serves. She does research, asks questions, observes her colleagues and buys books that she reads in her free time to grow professionally at a rapid pace. She has tremendous potential as a social worker.
Excellence in Intern Supervision Award
Félix Bélisle-Laliberté: Frontline Integrated Services; Social Worker, PRAIDA
Félix is an enthusiastic internship supervisor. He warmly welcomes all interns—and not just his own—and puts considerable effort into making them feel comfortable, not only with him as a supervisor, but also by creating an environment conducive to developing connections among different interns. He uses his creativity and original methods to ensure that interns feel they are part of the larger PRAIDA team.
Lisa Masse: Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services; Kinesiologist, Richardson Hospital
Lisa is proactive, working with many different universities to offer exceptional learning experiences for kinesiologists looking for a stage in cardiac rehabilitation.
Lisa welcomes students of all disciplines to the program, and takes the time to establish their individual learning needs and objectives. She offers hands-on supervision and coaching, and models her excellence in care on a daily basis. Lisa treats all interns, no matter how short or long they are with us, as integral members of the team.
Mouzhan Sharifi: Nursing; Registered Nurse, JGH – Family Medicine
Over the last few years, nearly 20 nursing students and new recruits have had the delightful opportunity to have Mouzhan as their preceptor.
What truly sets Mouzhan apart is her ability to create a non-judgmental learning environment for interns. She never makes them feel uncomfortable about their knowledge gaps or errors, but rather turns mistakes into learning opportunities. Mouzhan has the remarkable tendency to celebrate the successes of her interns, no matter how small those successes are. This has always instilled a sense of motivation and confidence in her interns.
Quality of Service Award
Amélie Bolduc: Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services; Occupational Therapist and Clinical Coordinator, Constance-Lethbridge
Amélie distinguishes herself through her commitment to understanding the needs of clients, in order to direct them to the right resources at the right time. Whether faced with a complex case that falls outside the usual mandate, or a user who’s been lost in the system, Amélie tirelessly knocks on the doors of internal and external partners and moves up the communications chain to obtain the services required to meet the user’s needs. She never stops in the face of refusal, and perseveres until the user is finally cared for in the right place.
Barbara Mancina: Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services; Clinical Activities Specialist, Out-patient Rehabilitation Program, CLSC Parc-Extension
Barbara has been supporting the professionals of the Out-patient Rehabilitation team at CLSC Parc-Extension as a Clinical Activities Specialist for over eight years. It’s rare to find someone who is so unanimously appreciated within a team, especially in a clinical supervision role: Barbara is loved by everyone. She is recognized as a pillar of the team not only because she is now one of the most senior members, but because her experience and interpersonal skills inspire confidence as she has an answer for everything!
Michelle Kosikowski: Quality, Transformation, Evaluation, Value, Clinical and
Organizational Ethics, and Virtual Care; Interim Program Manager, Virtual Care, JGH
Virtual care has become a cornerstone and a showcase for our CIUSSS. Through her dedication and expertise, Michelle enabled the development of several clinical pathways to expand the virtual program. She also contributed to important innovative projects such as virtual inter-institutional collaborations. Her expertise allowed for meeting the expectations of doctors, users, and the team, in order to provide quality and safe care according to best practices.
The concern for a job well done is her constant driving force, and she remains mobilized at all times.
Outstanding Manager Award
Dana Benoit: Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services; Program Manager for Adult Neurology Programs, Constance Lethbridge.
Among the many responsibilities of a great manager, Dana excels in motivating and guiding her team. She sets a high standard by leading through action, dedicating herself fully to every project she undertakes. Her commitment not only elevates her own work but also raises the bar for the entire team.
A prime example of Dana’s leadership is her active involvement in complex cases. She takes the time to listen, offer support, and leverage her position to protect and advocate for her team. Whether providing strategic guidance or emotional support, Dana’s engagement is both inspiring and instrumental in helping her team perform at their best.
Leila Nunes Scandiuzzi: Frontline Integrated Services; Program Manager, PRAIDA
Leila wears a hat as Program Manager, but social work and fieldwork remain anchored in her heart, and this is evident in her way of being. It’s rare to see Program Managers with such knowledge and respect for the profession. She understands the reality on the ground and is always attentive to her teams. The well-being of users is paramount, but especially that of her employees.
Leila is a creative individual who always tries to think ‘out of the box’ to find original solutions to our challenges. Moreover, she has a high level of respect for her superiors and her peers/colleagues. She is an exemplary woman who always encourages us to improve and reach our full potential.
Marcel Landry: Mental Health and Addiction Programs; Associate Director, JGH
Marcel invests himself in his work with passion, and despite his workload, he prioritizes time in his schedule to build an optimal work environment. He adds a touch of humour to our team meetings and spreads good cheer on a daily basis.
Marcel is a leader who inspires commitment. His energy is contagious. For him, rigour and enjoyment at work are complementary values that serve one another.
Team Award
Patient Timeline
Hôtel-Dieu Interdisciplinary Team – NSA Unit
Aire Ouverte
Wi-Fi Everywhere for Care Everywhere and One CIUSSS – One Phone System
