TORONTO, April 22, 2025 – Recognizing the profound impact of nursing education on health care and communities across Ontario, the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN) honoured outstanding students, faculty, researchers, and preceptors at its annual awards ceremony on Monday, April 14. In its 18th year, the COUPN Awards celebrate the innovation, dedication, and leadership that continue to shape the future of nursing through Ontario’s university programs.
“These awards recognize the dedication, innovation, enthusiasm and professionalism of students, faculty, researchers, preceptors and partner organizations associated with Ontario’s university nursing programs. They honour and acknowledge the exceptional contributions of the recipients in teaching, student excellence, and their impact on nursing education and the broader nursing community,” said Dr. Sandra Carroll, Chair of COUPN.
“The COUPN award winners are driving real change in health care—improving patient outcomes, advancing nursing education and strengthening our health system. Their inspiring achievements reflect the very values that our university nursing programs uphold every day. Our university nursing programs have demonstrated their commitment not only to students but to all Ontarians,” said Steve Orsini, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities.
See below for a description of this year’s winners and their achievements.
Trillium Health Partners (THP) was awarded this year’s Agency Recognition Award for their outstanding dedication to clinical education, interprofessional collaboration, and advanced practice nursing. THP fosters a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that allows students to build confidence while navigating complex clinical settings. The emphasis on collaboration exposes students to multidisciplinary teams and diverse expertise, facilitating challenging but ultimately rewarding learning opportunities that highlight the unique value and knowledge of the nursing profession.
The Clinical Instructor Award was awarded to Susan Grafe at Trent University for her work in community-based nursing practice, health promotion, and advocacy. She embodies lifelong learning by keeping abreast of relevant research developments and new evidence-based practices, integrating them into the curriculum. Sue’s students note her keen attention to student wellbeing, demonstrated by her caring attitude, flexibility, and proactively addressing their needs.
Yhael Medalla from McMaster University received the Clinical Instructor Award for her outstanding commitment to clinical education in nursing. Yhael is celebrated by her students and colleagues for embodying knowledge-based practice, innovative teaching strategies, and dedication to student wellbeing and success. Her extensive research contributions have been recognized by both Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she has received awards in nursing excellence.
Dr. Samer Ghazi, PhD student from the University of Toronto, was celebrated with the Doctoral Dissertation Award this year. His dissertation research, “Health-related quality of life of adults and adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease after non-myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation”, makes substantial contributions to nursing scholarship and practice. The impacts of Dr. Ghazi’s research are far-reaching, with significant potential to improve the lives of recipients of allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCST) who have Sickle Cell Disease.
Dr. Roya Haghiri-Vijeh from York University was honoured with the Excellence in Teaching Award at the COUPN awards this year. She is an outstanding educator who is recognized for her teaching excellence and unwavering commitment to student well-being. Her pedagogical philosophy is shaped by her experience as a community health nurse. Her extensive research portfolio focuses on historically underserved groups such as 2SLGBTQIA+, immigrant, and refugee communities, as well as underrepresented health areas such as gender-affirming care.
The second Excellence in Teaching Award this year went to Dr. Penny Tryphonopoulos from Western University. Dr. Penny is an outstanding and committed teacher in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She is celebrated by her students and colleagues for cultivating supportive and safe learning environments that exemplify her dedication to learning and student wellbeing. She has also made significant contributions to nursing research and scholarship, having supervised 18 postgraduate theses.
Aya Tagami from McMaster University was celebrated with a Master’s Student Award for her intellectual curiosity, academic rigour, and exceptional professionalism that have contributed to her outstanding grades and research impact. Her thesis examined the impact of acupressure bands on post-operative nausea and vomiting in same-day surgery patients, synthesizing her own clinical experience and non-Western treatment methods.
This year’s Preceptor Recognition Award was awarded to Jenna Leichner from Laurentian University. Jenna received this award for her extensive contributions to nurse practitioner education. As an experienced preceptor, Jenna is celebrated for her professional advocacy and extensive contributions to nursing education. She empowers students to realize their capacity to improve patient outcomes, shape health care policy, and see the unique value of the nurse practitioner role.
Dr. Lisa Cranley from the University of Toronto was celebrated with the Scholarship into Practice Award for her outstanding contributions to nursing research. Dr. Cranley’s program of research aims to improve the quality of health care delivery to older adults in long-term care (LTC). She co-designed a seminal communication tool for LTC residents and families, which she turned into a free online e-health resource to enhance the involvement of residents, family, and caregivers in care planning.
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of this year’s COUPN Award recipients. These remarkable individuals are recognized not only for their expertise and excellence within the university setting but also for their deep commitment to the nursing profession. As exemplary students, instructors, preceptors, and scholars, they embody the vital role Ontario’s universities play in advancing high-quality health care, and they inspire the next generation of nursing professionals through their dedication, leadership, and compassion.
Read more about the 2025 COUPN award winners and their remarkable work here.
