Vaughan/Richmond Hill, ON – Mackenzie Health is recognizing its nurses and their contributions to our hospital during National Nursing Week, May 6-12, 2013. 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 has more than 800 nurses whose knowledge and commitment improves the health and quality of life of our patients.
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 Canadian nurses and their commitment to patient care and the health-care 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 health care and advance the depth and breadth of the profession.
Our hospital is celebrating 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. Some of the activities include:
- Take Your MPP to Work Day, a guided tour of the and Emergency Department, Cardiac Care Unit and outpatient and inpatient Mental Health units with MPPs Reza Moridi (Richmond Hill) and Peter Shurman (Thornhill)
- A variety of interprofessional education opportunities
- Interprofessional Awards Ceremony
Nightingale Award Nominees and Hospital News Heroes
On Saturday, May 6, 2013, The Toronto Star profiled nominees for its Annual Nightingale Awards, which recognizes outstanding nurses from across Ontario. Congratulations to the following Mackenzie Health nurses on their nomination:
- Viktoria Gershenzon from Telemetry,
- Laura MacIsaac, Clinical Nurse Specialist for the District Stroke Program,
- Helen Watling from the ICU and
- Meredith Whitehead, Senior Project Manager, Professional Practice on their nominations.
- Heather Steiner, an RN who works in the Home Dialysis area of the Chronic Kidney Disease Program at Mackenzie Health received an honourable mention as a Nursing Hero in Hospital News a National healthcare newspaper. Heather was nominated by a grateful patient who recognized her for her ongoing compassion and skill.
Quotes
“It is my pleasure to recognize and acknowledge the significant ongoing contributions of our dedicated nurses whose leadership and commitment are creating a world-class health experience for our patients and families. Our hospital is extremely fortunate to have such dedicated nurses, who consistently strive to raise the bar for the betterment of care to our patients. Nurses are leaders, champions, educators, innovators and role models for patients and families through their lifetime.”
- Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO
“As a registered nurse, I know first-hand the vital role nurses play in working together and with a wide variety of health professionals to provide the best possible care, through good and trying times. Nurses at Mackenzie Health are among the most qualified and dedicated that I have had the privilege to work with. You provide exemplary clinical care, advocate for your patients and embrace technological innovation to better patient outcomes.”
- Jo-anne Marr, Executive Vice-President and Chief Nursing Executive
“I am pleased to offer my sincere appreciation and congratulations to all Mackenzie Health nurses and share in celebrations to recognize our nursing team during National Nursing Week. Their ongoing efforts can and do make a difference in improving outcomes for patients. By working collaboratively with professionals from a wide variety of disciplines we are delivering the best care possible. Through improved standards of care and best practices we can learn and teach one another to further improve on the exemplary care we already provide.”
- Tiziana Rivera, Chief Practice Officer
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Backgrounder on Mackenzie Health
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Mackenzie Health is a new regional healthcare provider for Southwest York Region offering much needed healthcare services through the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a network of community services located in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the surrounding communities.
- With over 600,000 residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.
- In October of 2009, the Government of Ontario designated Mackenzie Health (formerly known as York Central Hospital) to plan, build and operate the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Since that time, Mackenzie Health has moved quickly through the government-mandated planning process and has approval to issue tender documents in 2014/15.
- The new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first new hospital to be built in Southwest York Region in 50 years.
- Construction on the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to begin in 2015/16.
- Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be completed and operational in 2019.