Second Annual MUHC Director General’s Awards Celebrate Exceptional Employees
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - 11:03
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) announces the exceptional contributions of ten individuals and one team as part of its second annual MUHC Director General’s Awards, the jewel in the crown of the organization’s Employee Recognition Programme. Over 1,000 members of the MUHC and special guests, including Quebec’s Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr.Yves Bolduc, honoured the winners and nominees at a gala at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel on Saturday.
“Ask me to describe the McGill University Health Centre and I’ll tell you it’s an organization with tremendous heart, talent and initiative,” states the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, MUHC Director General and CEO. “I am biased, of course, because leading the MUHC with the unwavering support and contributions of people from all walks of life is both a source of satisfaction and pleasure. That’s why it is especially gratifying to hear representatives of national organizations such as Accreditation Canada say ‘your people are your gift’.”
The MUHC Director General’s Awards were inaugurated in spring 2009 with a MUHC-wide call for nominations, an overwhelmingly positive response and an entertaining fall gala that galvanized employee morale. The initiative was recognized in 2010 with a Human Resources Award of Excellence from theAssociation québécoise d’établissements de santé et de services sociaux (AQESSS). Submissions for the 2010 awards also flowed in, explaining how individuals or teams are altruistic; how they have a positive impact on the organization, on patients and within their departments; and how they take initiative outside of their regular duties. A multidisciplinary committee then chose the winners.
“Our Human Resources team works very hard to inspire people to build their careers at the McGill University Health Centre,” adds Yves Laguë, Interim Director of Human Resources and Organizational Culture. “The MUHC Director General’s Awards crown our Recognition Programme but we recognize that our competitive edge depends on continuously enhancing our services. That’s why we pride ourselves on encouraging professional development, mentoring, leading practices and work-life balance.”
The eleven 2010 MUHC Director General’s Awards’ winners are:
The MUHC Director General’s Awards were inaugurated in spring 2009 with a MUHC-wide call for nominations, an overwhelmingly positive response and an entertaining fall gala that galvanized employee morale. The initiative was recognized in 2010 with a Human Resources Award of Excellence from theAssociation québécoise d’établissements de santé et de services sociaux (AQESSS). Submissions for the 2010 awards also flowed in, explaining how individuals or teams are altruistic; how they have a positive impact on the organization, on patients and within their departments; and how they take initiative outside of their regular duties. A multidisciplinary committee then chose the winners.
“Our Human Resources team works very hard to inspire people to build their careers at the McGill University Health Centre,” adds Yves Laguë, Interim Director of Human Resources and Organizational Culture. “The MUHC Director General’s Awards crown our Recognition Programme but we recognize that our competitive edge depends on continuously enhancing our services. That’s why we pride ourselves on encouraging professional development, mentoring, leading practices and work-life balance.”
The eleven 2010 MUHC Director General’s Awards’ winners are:
- Tony Pellicciotti has over 25 years at the Montreal General under his belt, and is responsible for Housekeeping at the ICU. His cheery nature lifts everyone’s spirits [Para-technical, auxiliary services and trades category]
Rosie Cuscuna is a Nuclear Medicine Typist and a member of the MUHC family since 1983. Patients appreciate her tremendous empathy while colleagues are quick to point out her dedication to her job [Clerical]
Christos Calaritis is Chief of Pediatric Perfusion and Coordinator of extracorporeal life support services (ECMO) at The Children’s. His overwhelming commitment to critically-ill children and his leadership were singled out by his peers [Professional]
Lorraine Allard, an EEG Technical Coordinator, is known by colleagues to be the very model of an intelligent, motivated and dedicated frontline ambassador [Technologist/Technician]
Dr. Thamer Nouh is a Surgical Resident who is passionate about his work. His patients, colleagues and students all agree that he is a considerate and dedicated person [Resident]
Benoit Riendeau, an Assistant Nurse Manager in the Emergency Department of the Montreal General Hospital, always does his utmost to ensure the emotional and physical needs of patients and their families are attended to even when things are ultra busy [Nursing]
Dr. Aurore Côté is a Physician specializing in Pediatric Respiratory Disorders. Passionate about how telehealth can extend expertise to remote regions, her colleagues note how she builds networks, is a great communicator and has many medical accomplishments [Physician]
Rosemary O’Grady, a Nurse Manager in Palliative Care with a winning smile, is appreciated by her team for her pragmatic leadership, profound sense of moral integrity, dedication towards their well-being and ability to listen and support them [Management]
Robert Hartley, a Volunteer in Occupational Therapy, is one of those people who, according to colleagues and patients, lights up the room when he walks in. He is respected for being creative, caring and engaging [Volunteer]
Brian Meehan is a Research Assistant with over 20 years of experience in the investigation of diseases. His colleagues describe him as selfless, thoughtful, a mentor to students and a great teammate who enjoys thinking about how to optimize processes [Research Institute]
MUHC Personality Disorders Extended-Care Clinic Team: Dr. Allen Surkis, Dr. Lise Laporte, Dr. Ronald Fraser, Dr. Miriam Berkovic, Marie-Pierre Mailhot, Nicole Julien, Dr. Jennifer Russell, Dr. Joel Paris, Dr. Sally Butterworth, Dr. Tanya Bergevin, Barbara Morningstar and Victoria Lavinskas. They have made it their life’s work to enhance the quality of life of their patients and their families, most recently by helping transfer knowledge to professionals in the community [Team]
Saturday’s gala was also an opportunity for those shaping the new McGill University Health Centre to enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company and remember that while they may work at different locations, it is ultimately their collective efforts that allow their organization to constantly improve the quality, safety and accessibility of patient care, research, teaching and technology assessment.
The gala was made possible by the generosity of award category sponsors, as well as gold co-sponsors Bell and Cisco, and silver sponsors, Diamond Taxi, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Sodexo, TELUS Health Solutions, and Xerox. Borden Ladner Gervais sponsored the Team Award; IBM, Lenovo and Metafore the Management Award; La Capitale Groupe Financier the Nursing Award; SNC-Lavalin and Dessau the Professional Personnel Award; and ThermoFisher Scientific the Research Institute Award. Gold and Silver sponsors covered other expenses, including printing, entertainment and photography.