Congratulations to Karine Lepage, Associate Director of Nursing – Oncology, who was recently honoured with the 2025 Award of Excellence from the Quebec Association of Oncology Nurses.
Ms. Lepage was recognized for her professionalism and “outstanding contributions” to oncology care in Quebec. With over 15 years of leadership in hematology, oncology and internal medicine, Ms. Lepage is credited with playing a major role in enhancing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes.
“Her innovative approach, deep expertise and unwavering dedication to person-centered care have made a significant and lasting impact on cancer services across the province,” her nominators wrote.
Ms. Lepage’s initiatives at CIUSSS West-Central Montreal include applying value-based healthcare models in colorectal cancer; leading the implementation of the Belong mobile application, which earned the 2022 Quebec Cancer Program award; and overseeing the restructuring of the surgical and intensive care services during the COVID-19 pandemic, among other accomplishments.
Her nominators also underscored her ability to mobilize teams and maintain high standards of care under pressure, as well as her collaborative spirit and commitment to improving the experiences of patients and families.
In a social media post, Ms. Lepage said that she accepted the prize with humility, since she could not have advanced cancer care alone. “It takes a team that gets on board crazy projects, colleagues who support you and managers who believe in you,” she wrote.