On May 30th, Yukon Hospitals hosted the inaugural Awards of Excellence and the annual Long Service Awards at the McBride Museum in Whitehorse.
The Awards of Excellence were created in response to feedback from Yukon Hospital’s last employee survey, in which the message was clear - staff wanted a way to recognize their colleagues' outstanding efforts and commitment to patient care.
Yukon Hospitals received over 140 nominations of individuals in four award categories, including Reconciliation in Healthcare, Champion of Change, Dedication to Excellence, and Committed to the Team.
Alexis Gee, a physiotherapist who works in Medical Rehabilitation at Whitehorse General Hospital (WGH), received the Reconciliation in Healthcare Award, nominated by her colleagues for her efforts working with patients across different backgrounds to advocate for their individual needs, including access to traditional medicine.
“Alexis treats a variety of patients with different cultural backgrounds and is always collaborating with patients, their families and the First Nations Health Program to ensure she provides the most respectable and compassionate care,” her colleague, Claire Lindsey, wrote in the nomination form.
The Champion of Change Award went to Charles Kalinsky, an RN who works in Surgical Services at WGH, for his efforts to “drive quality improvement and change within the surgical services department”, said his colleague, Samantha Samuelson.
“Charles is always the first to step up to help solve problems through collaborative care,” wrote Samuelson. “He is a passionate advocate for a healthy work environment and the first to put his words into action.”
Roxana Muir, who works in housekeeping at WGH, received the Dedication to Excellence Award for her exemplary patient care. Muir was recognized by her colleagues as always “having a smile on her face”, adding that “all of the long-term patients know her by name.”
“Roxana goes above and beyond her role everyday to ensure patients are having a good stay,” wrote Taylor Roch, LPN. “She shows radical hospitality and care and compassion every single day.”
Jeannie McLorie has worked in the Laboratory at WGH for 27 years. She received the Committed to the Team Award, nominated by her colleagues for her long-time dedication to supporting her coworkers and training new staff.
“When things are busy and stressful in the lab, Jeannie always puts a smile on everyone’s face and helps get the job done no matter what it takes. The hours and dedication she has put in over the last 27 years has not gone unnoticed,” wrote Erin Lamb, a CLXT in the Lab.
We thank all nominees and award winners for their unwavering dedication to providing the best healthcare at Yukon Hospitals. As CEO, Jason Bilsky, said in his speech at the awards ceremony, “you are the heart and soul of our organization.”
Photographed is Charles Kalinsky, Roxanna Muir and Alexis Gee.