Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) honoured its nurses on Wednesday with the first ever Nurses Week Awards Ceremony.
Nurses Week celebrates the individuals who are often overlooked in the healthcare profession. CKHA decided to take that celebration a step further with a formal award ceremony.
"Our nurses are more than just health care providers; they are the heart of this hospital," said Natalie Clark, CKHA Chief Nursing Executive. "I am incredibly proud of the work they do every single day to ensure our community receives the best possible care."
Hospital leadership, staff, physicians, and volunteers gathered to present awards to those who have gone above and beyond in their service to patients and their peers.
The Compassionate Caregiver Award was given to Heather Blakey by the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation. According to CKHA, the award recognizes a provider whose practice is defined by empathy and a deep human connection to those in their care. The runners up for the award included Dr. Cecil Liu and Becky Hall.
The Vicente and Delia Calma Memorial Nursing Excellence Award went to Amie Wright, with Brittany Gemelli named as a finalist.
Both nurses were recognized for their dedication to the highest standards of the nursing profession and their ability to lead by example in a fast-paced health care environment.
"Seeing the talent and compassion displayed by our award recipients and finalists today reinforces why CKHA is such a special place to practice," Clark stated.
In addition to the formal awards, the ceremony featured a heartfelt video tribute curated by staff from across the hospital.
