The KHSC Nursing Awards of Excellence recognize and celebrate nurses who demonstrate dedication, distinction and commitment to their profession, their patients and their community.
“The Nursing Awards of Excellence are an opportunity to recognize the knowledge, leadership, extraordinary dedication, professionalism, and compassion demonstrated by our nursing teams every day,” says Jason Hann, Chief Nursing Executive at KHSC. “Our nurses play a vital role in patient care, supporting one another, and driving innovation across the organization. These awards celebrate the individuals whose commitment to excellence makes a meaningful difference for patients, families, colleagues, and the communities we serve.”
The judging panel received 60 nominations this year, with each submission demonstrating excellence in their area – not just in technical skills and knowledge, but in their commitment to patients.
Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients! A complete list of winners follows.
Nursing Practice Awards
Ambulatory Nursing Practice Award
Amy Mussell
“Amy demonstrates a strong commitment to ongoing professional development, continually advancing her knowledge and skills to provide evidence informed, patient centered care for complex ambulatory populations.”
Cancer, Endoscopy & Imaging Nursing Practice Award
Tracy McQueen
“Tracy has a great wealth of knowledge on the side effects and the care regarding radiation therapy. She is willing to share this knowledge with staff and students and patients.”
Cardiac & Critical Care Nursing Practice Award
Amanda Roach
“Amanda consistently demonstrates exceptional skill and compassion, ensuring patients receive high quality cardiac care with dignity, comfort, and emotional support.”
Emergency Medicine Nursing Practice Award
Jasmine Doggett
“She is very good at her job in terms of providing timely care to patients, always active, her positive energy, and understands patient care very well.”
Medicine & Neurology Nursing Practice Award
Jacy Oskrdal
“Jacy champions clinical leadership, best practices, and professional development every day. Her strong clinical knowledge supports both staff and patient care, helping ensure positive patient outcomes.”
Mental Health & Addictions Program Nursing Practice Award
Sandra Landon
“Sandra exemplifies excellence in every aspect of her practice.
Her clinical judgment is exceptional, built on decades of experience and a deep understanding of patient needs.
She is a natural mentor, always willing to share her knowledge and support newer staff without hesitation or judgment.”
Patient Transitions & Clinical Resources Nursing Practice Award
Katherine Stringer
“Katherine demonstrates outstanding clinical expertise, fosters collaboration, and goes above and beyond to ensure safe, patient-centered care.
Her dedication, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her an essential part of our team and highly deserving of this recognition.”
Perioperative Services Nursing Practice Award
Lisa Bucking
“Lisa uses her exceptional experiences, knowledge and education to enhance patient’s experiences and outcomes.”
Averil Kritzer
“Averil is patient, approachable, and exceptionally supportive to patients. She is highly skilled at teaching and explaining information in an understandable way.”
Renal & Palliative Nursing Practice Award
Patricia Campbell
“Patricia consistently delivers compassionate, high-quality care while serving as a trusted support to colleagues.
She actively promotes staff morale and advocates for RPNs across the organization, demonstrating strong leadership, professionalism, and commitment to nursing practice.”
Women & Children Nursing Practice Award
Pamela Sinclair
“Pamela provides exceptional patient care to all of her patients though her passion and drive to make invasive and challenging procedures and exams bearable through support, advocation, and honesty.”
Specialty Award Recipients
Advanced Practice Nursing Award
Nicole Chenier-Hogan
“Nicole leads the APN community of practice at KHSC, she is involved in research and is a strong advocate for the advancement of APN at KHSC.”
Internationally Educated Nurse Excellence Award
Asmita Poudel
“Asmita is an internationally trained nurse whose calm demeanor, strong clinical knowledge, and critical thinking immediately stood out to me.
Patients, families, staff, and leadership on Connell 3 are fortunate to have her on our team, and we are truly grateful she chose to bring her skills and compassion here.”
New Graduate Nurse Award
Fiona Tuck
“Fiona demonstrates exceptional initiative, professionalism, and commitment to learning as a new graduate nurse.
She actively seeks opportunities to build her skills, supports colleagues and new learners, and consistently promotes safe, high quality patient care.”
Nursing Education Award
Briana Dubue
“By listening to staff, identifying learning needs, and implementing practical solutions, Briana enhances both individual and team development. Her dedication to supporting frontline staff and promoting best practices exemplifies the role of an outstanding nurse educator”
Nursing Leadership Award
Bret Linton
“Bret is always striving to improve and drive practice in the workplace by being a mentor, educational lead, charge nurse, teacher and caring individual.”
Erika Smith
“What sets Erika apart is not any one action, but the consistency with which she anticipates needs, communicates effectively, and supports those around her.”
Nursing Mentorship Award
Clinical Scholar Team
Katie Gorman, Todd Hennessey, Katie Killorn, Jenna Paget, Kayla Patfield
“The Clinical Scholar Team demonstrates excellence by serving as mentors and role models for staff at all levels. They possess advanced clinical knowledge and adapt their teaching to meet the diverse learning needs of each staff member”
Nursing Research & Evaluation Award
Christine Khiyaza
“Christine is recognized for her contribution as a co-author of the RNAO BPG: Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Nursing.
This work reflects leadership in research, evidence synthesis, and advancing equity in nursing practice at a provincial and system level”
