TORONTO, May 1, 2024 – The Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN) Awards were held on Monday, April 22nd, and honoured the outstanding achievements of students, faculty, researchers and preceptors in Ontario’s university nursing programs. In its 17th year, the awards celebrate the commitment, innovation, passion, and professionalism of nursing students and educators and their dedication to nursing within Ontario’s universities and communities.
“It is my sincere pleasure to acknowledge and celebrate the talent and dedication of the students, nurses, instructors, and community partners here with us this evening. These awards and each award recipient bring visibility to the vital role Ontario’s universities play contributing to the delivery of high-quality health care by our students and graduates that empowers Ontarians to lead healthier lives” said Dr. Sandra Carroll, Chair, COUPN.
“Our university nursing programs have demonstrated their commitment not only to students but to all Ontarians. In light of urgent health human resource needs, they have collaborated with the province to expand programs, innovate nursing education, and introduce groundbreaking advancements such as Ontario’s first university RN Prescribing Program. Each of tonight’s award recipients has truly made an impact, not only on the profession of nursing, but on all of Ontario’s communities” said Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities.
See below for a description of this year’s winners and their achievements.
St. Michael’s Academic Family Health Team (SMAFHT) at Unity Health are celebrated with this year’s Agency Recognition Award for consistently facilitating safe, supportive, and engaging clinical experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. SMAFHT combines research and practice in education, encouraging collaboration with students who contribute to knowledge exchange and advocacy in clinical settings, and enhancing the overall academic experience.
The Clinical Instructor Award was awarded to Anne-Marie Levac at Queen’s University for excellence in clinical instruction. Students celebrate her for increasing their knowledge base and critical thinking skills while maintaining professionalism, compassion, and sensitivity. Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of Levac’s teaching philosophy which she embodies by consistently seeking professional development and paying attention to emerging evidence-based practices and the evolving landscape of nursing, all while fostering an inclusive and nurturing learning environment.
Dr. Martha Whitfield received the Doctoral Dissertation Award for her doctoral dissertation on the role of Nurse Practitioners in the treatment of opioid use disorder in primary care settings. Her work addresses a critical research gap, and findings from her thesis have generated one published manuscript with another under review, as well as research presentations at ten conferences. These impressive outputs demonstrate Dr. Whitfield’s deep commitment to not only her research but to dissemination, reaching a wide variety of audiences who may benefit from her findings.
David Adedji was honoured with the Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Level Award. His exceptional leadership qualities and enthusiasm for critical thinking and discovery are demonstrated by his engagement with global health and local initiatives throughout his undergraduate studies at York University. He is the Outreach Director of the Nursing Student Association of York University, a Marketing Team Member of the Canadian Black Nursing Student Association of York University, and also serves as a Registered Nurses’ Association Ontario (RNAO) Student Ambassador. His commitment to student advocacy demonstrates his keen attention and care to the rights and well-being of his fellow peers in nursing.
The first Excellence in Teaching Award was awarded to Archana Paul from York University. Archana integrates her own experience as a nurse in the mental health field and uses creative teaching strategies that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-life experiences. She seeks to shift traditional, hierarchical approaches to teaching, conceptualizing herself as an instructor and her students as “co-creators” in knowledge. She is recognized by her students and colleagues for her exceptional teaching and unwavering dedication to the nursing profession.
The second Excellence in Teaching Award was awarded to Dr. Hasina Amanzai at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Amanzai’s teaching philosophy is informed by principles of equity, critical thinking, and equal participation. In addition to teaching excellence, she is celebrated for her dedication to mitigating barriers in the classroom and commitment to student success, equity, diversity, and inclusion in nursing education. Graduate students with personal hardships and parenting obligations speak highly of her encouraging attitude and support that contributed to their success in her classes.
The Master’s Student Award of Excellence was awarded to Amber Johnson at Queen’s University for her significant contributions to the nursing community in both scholarship and teaching. Johnson’s dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of Public Health Nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and represent a critical first step towards accumulating evidence to bolster the development of emergency-preparedness policies. As a graduate student, she has also demonstrated a commitment to teaching excellence, promoting interdisciplinary education and compassionate learning in nursing classrooms. She is currently completing a Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner (PHCNP) post-master’s diploma program at Queen’s where she continues to excel academically.
The Preceptor Recognition Award was awarded to Patty Jensen at Queen’s University. Patty is celebrated for 15 years of mentorship and teaching, demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and care as a hospital community liaison nurse within the Pediatric Oncology Program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. She is widely recognized by students and colleagues alike for her enthusiasm towards teaching, and takes genuine delight in celebrating her students’ achievements. Her students also recognize her commitment to student wellbeing, particularly in navigating the challenges of pediatric oncology care.
We are proud to celebrate the innumerable achievements and contributions of the recipients of the 2024 COUPN Awards. These award recipients are honoured not only for their knowledge and skills in the university setting, but their unwavering dedication to the nursing profession. As exemplary students, instructors, preceptors, and scholars, they model the critical role of Ontario’s universities in the delivery of high-quality health care, while serving as an inspiration for future generations of nursing professionals.
Read more about the 2024 COUPN award winners and their work here.
