TORONTO, April 27, 2026 – The 19th Annual Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN) Awards were held on Monday, April 13, and honoured the outstanding achievements of students, faculty, researchers and preceptors in Ontario’s university nursing programs.
“We’re gathered here to highlight the exceptional work of this year’s COUPN award winners, from students and faculty, to researchers, preceptors, health agencies and beyond. We thank our partners at Ontario’s ministries, hospitals, and clinical sites for the ongoing engagement with Ontario’s university nursing educators and for the tremendous work you to ensure a vibrant and promising future for nursing & university education in this province.” said Dr. Sandra Carroll, Chair, COUPN.
At the event, Steve Orsini, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities, highlighted the impact of Ontario’s universities in strengthening the nursing workforce: “Over the past five years, our universities have expanded nursing programs, introduced innovative approaches to learning, and graduated more than 23,000 students from entry-to-practice in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) programs. Applications to nursing university programs have grown by 16% since last year, and by an impressive 68% since 2020… each of tonight’s award recipients have made tremendous impacts, not only on the profession of nursing, but in all of Ontario’s communities”.
See below for a description of this year’s winners and their achievements.
Dr. Nancy Carter from McMaster University was celebrated with this year’s Administrator Recognition Award for her exceptional leadership in advancing best practices in nursing education administration. As Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, her work has consistently enhanced the student experience and strengthened the quality of nursing education in Ontario. Her innovative approach to curriculum has resulted in improved research literacy, sharpened communication skills, and new pathways for scholarly inquiry within nursing study at the graduate level.
The Agency Recognition Award (Hospital)was awarded to Scarborough Health Network (SHN) for their exceptional and sustained commitment to supporting graduate nursing students through the provision of exemplary clinical learning environments that promote practice excellence, leadership development, and interprofessional collaboration. University partners commend SHN’s proactive, student-approach to maximize clinical placements across a wide range of highly sought-after care settings, such as mental health, pediatrics, and post-partum care,
The second Agency Recognition Award (Non-Hospital) was awarded to Kensington Health. Students commend Kensington Health for fostering a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive atmosphere where placement experiences are highly efficient and well-organized. They also note the high level of dedication among preceptors and nurses on the unit who continually made themselves available for questions, and were committed to sharing clinical knowledge fostering a supportive learning environment which student’s credit for their placement success.
Megan Esses from the University of Toronto received the Clinical Instructor Award for excellence in clinical teaching, professionalism, and student mentorship. As a clinical educator, Megan embodies knowledge-based nursing through the integration of trauma-informed care and clinical reasoning into her teaching philosophy. She is recognized for her keen attention to the cultivation of professional standards in addition to clinical skills, cultivating values of nursing excellence in her students.
The Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award was awarded to Steve Xia from Western University. His academic excellence is complemented by an extensive advocacy and service portfolio, reflecting his deep commitment to advanced nursing practice in direct care, education, research, and administration. Steve’s contributions to nursing practice are evident in his clinical placements across surgical, geriatric rehabilitation, diabetes education, and long-term care settings. Steve is commended for his extensive leadership, serving as President of the Western-Fanshawe Nursing Students Association and for his advocacy for inclusion and accessibility in nursing education and practice.
The Excellence in Teaching Award was awarded to Dr. Heather Thomson from the University of Toronto for developing innovative teaching strategies, often using simulation technologies to bridge gaps in curriculum and prepare students for leadership. Dr. Thomson’s enthusiasm for teaching and commitment to the nursing profession is widely celebrated by her colleagues and students. As an educator, she embodies accessibility and adaptability in practice, offering students various formats to engage with course content that suit diverse learning needs.
The Master’s Student Award of Excellence is awarded to Julia Sek from Western University. Julia is recognized for her academic excellence and extensive scholarly contributions which exceed expectations for graduate study. Julia’s thesis investigated Canadian mothers’ experience of stigma in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly in healthcare settings. Her scholarship carries critical implications and has potential to shape health care standards and guidelines when caring for women who experience gendered violence.
COUPN awards the Preceptor Recognition Award to Dionne A. Sinclair from the University of Toronto for her exceptional contributions to graduate nursing education through preceptorship. A hallmark of Dionne’s preceptorship is her ability to foster welcoming, psychologically safe, and supportive learning environments. Across evaluations, students rated Dionne at the highest level in measures related to feeling welcomed, supported, and respected as learners.
The Scholarship into Practice Award is awarded to Dr. Samantha Mayo from the University of Torontofor her tremendous contributions to nursing scholarship. Dr. Mayo’s research program addresses a vital issue in cancer research: how to optimize the long-term health of hematological cancer survivors in the context of clinical care and health services.Her contributions exemplify the highest ideals of the nursing profession and demonstrates the profound impact of nurses who serve as knowledge generators and leaders in practice innovation.
We are proud to celebrate the innumerable achievements and contributions of the recipients of the 2026 COUPN Awards. These winners are honoured not only for their contributions in the university environment, but their unwavering commitment to nursing excellence. 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 2026 COUPN award winners and their remarkable work here
Click on the image above to scroll through a slideshow of photos from the 2026 COUPN Awards event.