2021 Faculty of Nursing Pursuit of Excellence Awards call for nominations

Today marks the launch of the 2021 Pursuit of Excellence Awards. Since 2011, our recognition program at the Faculty of Nursing has celebrated the hard work, commitment and success of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners in whom we take great pride.

Amidst the ongoing health crisis, the vital role of nursing is evident. It has never been more important, especially on the heels of 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, for us to continue to acknowledge the contributions of nursing stars in our community.

“I believe in giving credit where credit is due and the Pursuit Awards created an opportunity for me to formally recognize my colleague's contribution and ongoing support to the faculty and the profession,” says Carla Ferreira, senior instructor who nominated Cathy Le in 2020 for the Exceptional Alumnus Award. 

“Having this avenue allowed me to thank a colleague in a different way – a way that helps others learn about my colleague’s dedication and contribution to nursing.”

Thanks to Ferreira’s nomination, alumnus Cathy Le, BN’15 who is a registered nurse at the Mosaic Primary Care Network, received the 2020 Exceptional Alumnus Award.

“As nurses, we don’t usually ask for recognition and so I felt very honoured and humbled to be receiving an award that truly goes out to all the wonderful nurses that I get to work with,” says Le.

“The past year has been a challenging one and so there is no doubt that there must be someone you can think of who has gone above and beyond.”

There are 10 award categories, including group and individual awards:

• Inspirational Undergraduate Student Award
• Inspirational Graduate Student Award
• Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award
• Graduate Teaching Excellence Award
• Excellence in Research Award
• Outstanding Team Award
• Inspirational Preceptor/Mentor Award
• Exceptional Alumnus Award
• Outstanding Support Staff Award
• Committee's Choice Award

If you admire and respect someone in our nursing community, this is a great way to honour students, colleagues, instructors, researchers, staffers, alumni or mentors. Nominations are due March 5, 2021.

The Faculty of Nursing began its successful recognition program in 2011 with generous support from Covenant Health, Canada’s largest Catholic health-care provider. In 2017, our team of committed committee volunteers re-envisioned the program and renamed it The Faculty of Nursing Pursuit of Excellence Awards.

Due to COVID-19, we have adjusted plans for our annual awards luncheon, held during National Nursing Week, where we come together in person to celebrate our recipients and nominees. On May 11, 2021, we’ll hold a virtual celebration to recognize our nominees and award winners. Award committee members Arielle Manzano, BN'18 and MJ Calungcaguin, BN'17 will once again serve as co-emcees.