Ontario Shores Communications Team Wins National Healthcare Public Relations
Award for New Brand

WHITBY, ON, April 28 /CNW/ - Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) received a Hygeia award from the Health Care Public Relations Association Canada. The organization's rebranding project "A New Brand for a New Era" won first place in the Special Purpose Communication -General category.

The Hygeia Awards celebrate excellence in Canadian healthcare communications. The Special Purpose Communication category recognizes a one-time effort or communications piece that was produced to meet a specific need. Winners were selected based on their creative solution to a communication opportunity, high editorial standards and effective planning, design and use of graphics.

"We are honoured that our rebranding initiative has received a Hygeia Award," said Glenna Raymond, President and CEO of Ontario Shores. "I would like to recognize the efforts of our Communications team and thank staff, patients, stakeholders and the community for their extensive input and contributions during the brand development process."

Ontario Shores embarked on a rebranding initiative to better reflect the hospital's expanded mandate, role and future directions. It involved an organizational name change, brand strategy and new visual identity that was launched by the Board of Directors at a public event in June 2009.

"This national recognition award celebrates the extraordinary amount of consultation, planning, creativity and strategy that went into the development of our new brand," said Susan Nakhle, Director, Communications and Public Affairs at Ontario Shores. "This was an exciting project and the communications team is thrilled to be recognized by the industry."

Ontario Shores would also like to thank its partners Ove Design and Communications and Lee Jacobson Consultants for their contributions to this project.

About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a spectrum of specialized assessment and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system.

For further information: Andrea Worrall, Communications Officer, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, [phone] ext. 6581, Cell: [phone], [email protected]