Healthcare Professionals Recognized for Exceptional and Compassionate Patient Care

Cancer Care Ontario presents Seventh Annual Human Touch Awards

TORONTO, April 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, Cancer Care Ontario presents its seventh annual Human Touch Awards honouring front-line cancer and renal healthcare professionals, providers and volunteers from across the province, for providing exceptional and compassionate care.

"Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way and we know it's a difficult journey for anyone to take," says Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "The people nominated for this year's Human Touch Awards inspire me because of their remarkable commitment, dedication and emotional support in helping to improve the patient experience."

This year's winners are:

• Volunteer Award, cancer: Rosemary Leonowicz, Peterborough Regional Health Centre
• Volunteer Award, renal: Terri Bradshaw, Scarborough Hospital
• The Paediatric Group: Kelly Ackerman, Quinn Benwell, Jessica Csoborko, Meghan Lewis, Brooke Minten, Abby Owsley, Melissa Reaume, Julie Rego, Allison Walker and Jeremy Whiston, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre
• Elizabeth Dulmage, Director, Clinical Cancer Services Program, Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program at Windsor Regional Hospital
• Dr. Urban Emmenegger, Medical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Carolyn Bowman, Program Manager, Regional Kidney Care Program, Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
• Marsha DeFrancesco, Clinical Practice Coordinator and Independent Dialysis Coordinator, Algoma Regional Renal Program, Sault Area Hospital
• Marlene Rees-Newton, Social Worker, Renal Program, London Health Science Centre

"Compassion is vital in healthcare as it has the ability to shape the patient and family experience," says Michael Sherar, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. "This year's award recipients have gone beyond what is asked of them to provide patients with exceptional care."

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

The seventh annual Human Touch Awards are co-sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division and are helped made possible by a donation from the RBC Foundation. This is the first year staff members and volunteers have been recognized for their work with renal patients.

Cancer Care Ontario - 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 results-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.

SOURCE: Cancer Care Ontario

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