Healthcare professionals and volunteers recognized for enriching patient experience through exceptional and compassionate care

Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Renal Network present eighth annual Human Touch Awards

TORONTO, April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) along with the Ontario Renal Network (housed within CCO) presents the eighth annual Human Touch Awards today honouring front-line cancer and renal healthcare professionals, providers and volunteers from across the province, for their commitment to providing exceptional and compassionate patient care.

This year, the following eleven winners have been selected from both the renal and cancer systems:
Cancer system:

• Elisa Agnelli and Mim O'Dowda, Volunteers, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre
• Anne Wolf, Volunteer, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Hospital
• Mort Finkelstein, Volunteer, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Hospital
• Lynn Baldovin, Registered Nurse, Day Medicine Program, Temiskaming Hospital
• Lori Hygaard, Registered Nurse, Northwestern Regional Cancer Care Program, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences 
• Lesley Pringle, Coordinator Radiation Therapy, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre
  
  

Renal system:

• François-René Dussault, Volunteer, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Eastern Ontario Chapter
• Dr. William Patrick Fay F.R.C.P., Nephrologist, Health Sciences North Sudbury
• Evan Turner, Clinical Leader, Regional Kidney Care Program Simcoe Muskoka, Satellite Dialysis Unit, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
• Rizwana Ramzanali, Fund Development Coordinator, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southwestern Ontario Chapter
  
  

The partnerships between Cancer Care Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and other organizations, health professionals, front-line care providers and volunteers that make up the Regional Cancer Programs and Regional Renal Programs are critical to providing high quality health care in the province.

Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Renal Network acknowledge the generous support of the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division and the RBC Foundation, co-sponsors of the eighth annual Human Touch Awards.

QUOTES
"These diseases touch the lives of so many. Whether it's a diagnosis of cancer or chronic kidney disease, it is never easy news to hear and the treatment journey that lies ahead for most is often difficult," says Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "That's why it's an inspiration seeing how all of the people nominated for this Human Touch Award really go above and beyond to enrich the patient experience."
- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

"Compassion is a critical component in providing patients with an elevated level of care. Today's award recipients are an inspiration; they play a significant role in improving the patient and family experience through their remarkable commitment, unwavering dedication and caring emotional support."
- Michael Sherar, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario.

"The compassion expressed by today's Human Touch Awards recipients goes a long way to ease the difficult and stressful cancer journey for patients and their families. We at the Canadian Cancer Society are proud to fund the Human Touch Awards and acknowledge the inspiring generosity of frontline workers and volunteers."
- Martin Kabat, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division

"Dedicated Kidney Foundation volunteers and employees throughout the province come together in formidable partnerships to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by kidney disease. We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of all the winners, who are passionate about their respective engagement with the kidney community."
- Terry Young, Ontario President of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

"Supporting the Human Touch Awards is a wonderful extension of our support of cancer prevention, research and other programs. It's a unique opportunity to showcase the incredible work being done across the province by individuals from the renal and cancer systems."
- Donna O'Reilly, Regional Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, RBC

LEARN MORE
For more information about our winners visit the webpage at www.cancercare.on.ca/humantouch and join the conversation on Twitter with #HumanTouchAwards

Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), an Ontario government agency, drives quality and continuous improvement in disease prevention and screening, the delivery of care and the patient experience, for cancer, chronic kidney disease and access to care for key health services. Known for its innovation and result-driven approaches, CCO leads multi-year system planning, contracts for services with hospitals and providers, develops and deploys information systems, establishes guidelines and standards and tracks performance targets to ensure system-wide improvements in cancer, chronic kidney disease and access to care.

Image with caption: "The eighth annual Human Touch Awards took place on April 24, 2014, honouring front-line cancer and renal healthcare professionals, providers and volunteers from across the province. (CNW Group/Cancer Care Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140424_C4972_PHOTO_EN_39622.jpg

SOURCE: Cancer Care Ontario

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