St. Michael’s Academic Family Health Team (SMAFHT) at Unity Health Toronto are recognized for their commitment to nursing education, providing safe, supportive, and engaging clinical experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.

Just one example of their dynamic clinical experience was the involvement of placement students in the development of an open-access tool for gynecological assessment, which includes critical considerations for the needs of LGBTQ2+ patients and individuals with disabilities. SMAFHT combines research and practice in education, encouraging collaboration with students who contribute to knowledge exchange and advocacy in clinical settings.

Their consistent efforts related to teaching, resource sharing, and collaboration with students illustrate their commitment to enriching the academic experience in nursing programs.

Recognized for knowledge-based practice in Mental Health and Community Nursing, Anne Marie Levac is acknowledged by her students and colleagues for her unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and nurturing learning environment. She challenges students to increase their knowledge base and critical thinking skills while maintaining professionalism, compassion, and sensitivity.

One student fondly shares, “Anne Marie was an exceptional support system, she would not just check in with me about my learning experience within mental health but also my own. She was an excellent advocate for the profession and made me excited to become a nurse. Her dedication to nursing practice and teaching has inspired me to think about a future career as a mental health nurse”.

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.

We celebrate Dr. Martha Whitfield with the Doctoral Dissertation Award for her impactful doctoral dissertation on the role of Nurse Practitioners in the treatment of opioid use disorder in primary care settings.

She was awarded a Young Investigator’s Travel Award by the National Institute of Drug Abuse for her doctoral work which she will present at the American Association of Addiction Medicine Annual Conference. Findings from her doctoral dissertation 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.

Dr. Whitfield holds a position as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont and continues her rural primary care clinical practice.

As an undergraduate nursing student, David Adedeji demonstrates excellent leadership and commitment to nursing practice. His exceptional leadership qualities and enthusiasm for critical thinking and discovery are demonstrated by his engagement with global health and student advocacy throughout his undergraduate studies.

Adedeji participated in a Global Health Independent Study in Costa Rica and volunteered for the Global Network Learning Opportunity focusing on nursing care challenges in Denmark. At home in Toronto, 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 ongoing student advocacy demonstrates his keen attention and care for the rights and well-being of his fellow peers in nursing.

Adedeji’s long-term career goals include ongoing leadership, contributing to nursing scholarship, and becoming a Certified Nurse Educator.

Dr. Archana Paul is recognized for her important contributions as an instructor at York University. Known for highlighting the necessity of patient and community engagement in education and practice, Dr. Paul 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.

Centered on four principles, Dr. Paul uses a teaching philosophy of authenticity, mutual partnership, empowerment, and self-reflection. She is known for engaging users of mental health services as guest speakers in her courses, critically examining the power divide between patients and healthcare providers. She seeks to shift traditional, hierarchical approaches to teaching, conceptualizing herself as an instructor and her students as “co-creators” in knowledge.

“I have encountered numerous students who have had Professor Paul as a professor in previous years … Professor Paul’s impact resonates widely across cohorts. In discussions with these students, a common thread emerges — an appreciation for her exceptional teaching, genuine care for her students, and unwavering dedication to their growth as nursing professionals,” an undergraduate nursing student at York University shared.

Dr. Hasina Amanzai is a dedicated educator at Toronto Metropolitan University whose teaching philosophy is informed by principles of equity, critical thinking, and equal participation. She is celebrated for her dedication to mitigating barriers in the classroom and commitment to student success, equity, diversity, and inclusion in nursing education,

Dr. Amanzai’s students commend her integration of theory and knowledge as she draws on her own experiences as an emergency nurse and uses innovative learning methods such as storytelling, concept mapping, and mnemonics that simplify and reinforce complex concepts.

A group of students at TMU shared, “Our learning experience has been enriched by Dr. Amanzai’s genuine care for students’ learning and well-being. She effortlessly creates a calm atmosphere where students are at ease to share their experiences, knowing she is always engaged and interested in what we say.”

Dr. Amanzai embodies cultural awareness and equity in nursing practice in the classroom, as graduate students with personal hardships and parenting obligations speak highly of her encouraging attitude and support that contributed to their success in her classes.

Amber Johnson is recognized 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 bridges a significant knowledge gap in Canadian public health. Her own experience as a public health nurse drove her engagement with this topic. Her research findings represent a critical first step towards accumulating evidence to bolster the development of policies to support public health nurses in the future.

As a graduate student, she has also demonstrated a commitment to teaching excellence, promoting interdisciplinary education and compassionate learning in nursing classrooms. She is a clinical instructor and teaching assistant within the Queen’s School of Nursing and received her Master’s of Nursing Science and defended her thesis in the summer of 2023. She is currently completing a PHCNP post-master’s diploma program at Queen’s where she continues to excel academically.

Patty Jansen has devoted over 15 years to mentorship and teaching, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing education and practice as a hospital community liaison nurse within the Pediatric Oncology Program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

Jansen remains diligently attuned to the evolving landscape of patient care, consistently updating her knowledge of treatment protocols, funding dynamics, and resources available to her patients and their families. With an individualized approach to student mentorship, she tailors her teaching methodologies to accommodate the diverse learning needs of each student, ensuring that their educational journey is fulfilling and enriching. Jansen  is widely recognized for her enthusiasm towards teaching, and takes genuine delight in celebrating her students’ achievements.

Jansen is celebrated for her attention to student wellbeing, particularly in her commitment to supporting learners through challenging clinical experiences within the pediatric oncology clinic.

Dr. Lindsay Jibb is honoured for her research and practice contributions which have made countless direct and positive impacts on the lives of children with cancer and their families, Dr. Jibb brings research innovation, patient care, nursing mentorship, and evidence-based practice to the forefront of nursing.

As an exceptional nurse scholar, Dr. Jibb has developed a rich, innovative research program that strives to improve quality of life and psychosocial health for children, adolescents, and young adults living with cancer and their families.

As co-chair of the international pediatric pain research training initiative Pain in Child Health, she delivered conferences, virtual seminars, and awarded two post-doctoral fellowships and is engaged in significant leadership activities that embody scholarship into practice.

Dr. Jibb is also the co-lead of the Advancing Childhood Cancer Experience, Science & Survivorship (ACCESS) partner network from across Canada, who play a prominent role in shaping the direction of Canadian pediatric oncology care. She also has extensive experience in public advocacy, driving policy change in areas of nursing practice, research, and funding.