Mackenzie Health is recognizing its nurses and their contributions to our organization during National Nursing Week, May 11 – 17, 2015. This professional recognition week is an important time to recognize and honour our nurses and the vital role they play in delivering excellent care to our patients. Our expert and skilled work force helps improve the health and quality of life of our patients and contributes to our efforts to achieve our vision to create a world-class health experience.
In 1971, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) designated May 12 – Florence Nightingale’s birthday – as International Nurses Day. In Canada, National Nursing Week was first celebrated in 1985 to highlight nurses' contributions to the well-being of the Canadian public.
National Nursing Week celebrates nurses and their commitment to patient care and the healthcare system as a whole. It helps to raise awareness among professions, the public, policy-makers and governments of the numerous ways nurses work collaboratively with other health professionals to improve healthcare and advance the depth and breadth of the profession.
Mackenzie Health marks National Nursing Week with a full agenda of events and activities designed to celebrate, educate and express our sincere appreciation for the unique contributions of both the nursing profession and individual nurses. Activities include a variety of interprofessional education and learning opportunities and an Interprofessional Breakfast and Awards Ceremony.
Nightingale Award Nominees
Last week, The Toronto Star profiled nominees for its Annual Nightingale Awards which recognizes outstanding nurses from across Ontario. Mackenzie Health’s nurses received four individual nominations. Congratulations to Sandy Carruthers from Surgery, Priscilla Faulkner from Day Surgery, Irene Hon from Palliative Care and Ludmila Verba from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
QUOTES
“National Nursing Week is a great opportunity to recognize our dedicated nurses. On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team, I am pleased to extend our appreciation for their significant and ongoing contributions to creating an exceptional experience for our patients and their families.
Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health
“Mackenzie Health’s nurses have a relentless commitment to professionalism and to maintaining the highest standards of care. As part of an interprofessional team, they enhance collaboration to provide the best possible care to our community. They are leaders in their practice settings and they provide exemplary clinical care, embrace change, technology and innovation to achieve better healthcare outcomes and relentlessly improve the patient and family experience.”
Tiziana Rivera, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Practice Officer, Mackenzie Health
Quick Facts at a Glance:
- Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional healthcare provider which includes the existing Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a comprehensive network of community-based services.
- Nationally recognized for its commitment to safety and quality patient care, Mackenzie Health was also awarded Accreditation with Exemplary Standing, the highest rating a Canadian healthcare provider can receive.
- Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in the future.
- This focus is reflected in the organization’s strategic directions: Exceptional Patient and Family Experience, Excellent Quality and Efficiency, Community-driven Growth, and Great People, Systems and Partners.
- With over half a million residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.
- In 2019, Mackenzie Health will complete construction of the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and will continue to operate Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.