Health Service Leadership Awards Recipients Announced

BEDFORD, NS, March 31 /CNW/ - Health Association Nova Scotia, the Bluenose Chapter of CCHSE, and Dalhousie School of Health Services Administration, jointly announced the recipients of three new awards recognizing outstanding leadership by health service organizations in Nova Scotia. Colchester East Hants Health Authority is the recipient of the Aramark Award for Achievement in Environmental Leadership and the Award for Innovations in Quality Worklife. Cumberland Health Authority is the recipient of the Big Strides in Quality Worklife Award. The awards were conferred on Monday evening, March 29, 2010, during the Provincial Healthcare Leadership Conference in Halifax.

"These three new awards recognize the leadership that health organizations are taking in a number of areas to improve the health and well-being of Nova Scotians and, ultimately, to help ensure the sustainability of our health system. This includes embracing a comprehensive view of health that is inclusive of a healthy environment as a critical component of the well-being of Nova Scotians. It also includes the QWQHC belief that a fundamental way to better healthcare is through healthier healthcare workplaces," says Carla Anglehart, Director of Organizational Health at Health Association Nova Scotia. "As sponsors, we are extremely impressed by the calibre of this year's awards submissions and are pleased to recognize and celebrate these organizations' accomplishments."

The Aramark Award of Achievement in Environmental Leadership was sponsored by Aramark Healthcare. This new Award recognizes organizations in Nova Scotia that have made a significant effort to improve the environment through grassroots or staff-led initiatives. Activities include, but are not limited to projects, policies, and/or advocacy in their organizations or communities. The recipients demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, education and/or sustainable practices. This year's winner, Colchester East Hants Health Authority, received a cheque for $5,000 to support ongoing green initiatives/projects, a trophy and a plaque of recognition. The runner up, Pictou County Health Authority, received special acknowledgement at the awards banquet and was invited to showcase their submission.

The Innovations in Quality Worklife (QWL) Award was sponsored by Johnson Inc. This new award recognizes a health organization in Nova Scotia that has signed the Quality Worklife Quality Healthcare Collaborative Charter and that has demonstrated innovation(s) in their efforts to create and maintain a healthy healthcare workplace. This year's winner, Colchester East Hants Health Authority, received a cheque for $5,000 to support ongoing work in this area, a trophy and a framed certificate. The runner up, IWK Health Centre, received special acknowledgement at the awards banquet and was invited to showcase their submission.

The Big Strides in Quality Worklife Award, was also sponsored by Johnson Inc. This new award recognizes and encourages continuation of ongoing QWL activity for an organization that has made some significant strides(s) in overcoming major challenges/barriers to addressing quality worklife in their organization. This year's winner, Cumberland Health Authority, received a cheque for $5,000 to support ongoing work in this area, a trophy and a framed certificate. The runners up, IWK Health Centre and Capital Health, received special acknowledgement at the awards banquet and were invited to showcase their submissions.

During this year's award banquet, the Bluenose Chapter of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives also announced the recipient of the College's CEO's Award for Leadership. This year's award was presented to Lea Bryden, Vice President, Leadershift, Marketing and Communications, Capital Health.

Health Association Nova Scotia, is a non-government, not-for-profit, membership-driven association comprised of over 100 organizations that are committed to the health and well-being of Nova Scotians. Our members include the nine district health authorities, the IWK Health Centre, nursing homes and homes for the aged, residential care facilities, adult residential facilities, regional rehabilitation centres, group homes, small options, home care organizations (including visiting nursing and home support), other health-related agencies, and health care foundations.

For further information: Mary Baldwin, Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Health Association Nova Scotia, [phone] (phone), [phone] (cell), [email protected], www.healthassociation.ns.ca