COUPN recognizes Trillium Health Partners (THP) with the Agency Recognition Award for their outstanding dedication to clinical education, interprofessional collaboration, and advanced practice nursing.

Students commend THP for fostering a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that allows them 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.

Students note that staff foster a culture of proactivity and dedication to learning at THP, as demonstrated by their expansion of placements in pediatric, post-partum, and community health settings. Similarly, students reported overwhelmingly positive interactions with the staff who dedicate their time to ensuring that students’ learning needs are met.

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

COUPN is pleased to recognize Susan Grafe with a Clinical Instructor Award for her work in community-based nursing practice, health promotion, and advocacy. Susan embodies a dedication to equity and justice both in teaching and in life, which her students credit as an inspiration in their nursing journeys. She is commended for fostering a safe and inclusive environment that emphasizes critical thinking and compassion.

Advocacy is inextricable from Susan’s approach to pedagogy, as she draws from her experiences as a nurse practitioner in community health settings working with refugees and historically underserved populations. She embodies lifelong learning by keeping abreast of relevant research developments and new evidence-based practices, integrating them into curriculum. Susan’s students note her keen attention to student wellbeing, demonstrated by her caring attitude, flexibility, and proactively addressing their needs.

Her students write: “having participated in several clinical placements, we can confidently say that our time with Susan stands out”, describing her as a “model recipient” for this clinical instructor award.

COUPN honours Yhael Medalla with a 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.

Students credit Yhael for fostering clinical reasoning, judgement, and confidence in the practice setting. Her proactive efforts in preparing students for placements, checking in, and promoting problem-solving have been noted by students and staff as integral in supporting her students. Her feedback is timely, constructive and encourage reflection and improvement.

Yhael’s extensive research contributions have been recognized by both Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she has received awards in nursing excellence. She presented her research on the role of clinical nurse specialists in mental health, sharing her knowledge so that participants can apply it in their practice.

One student shares: “Yhael has been the best tutor I have ever had. I learned so much this
semester, and with Yhael’s help, I feel much more prepared to go into fourth year.”

COUPN celebrates Dr. Samer Ghazi with the COUPN Doctoral Dissertation Award. 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 (SCD). SCD is a severe disease with limited treatment options, and Dr. Ghazi’s research will contribute to understanding its impact on patient health outcomes.

In addition to his complex doctoral research, Dr. Ghazi has been recognized for his research dissemination skills at major international conferences in the areas of oncology and hematology. He has also made significant contributions to nursing education, developing and implementing eleven courses related to nursing and clinical practice. Dr. Ghazi currently works as a clinical instructor and practices nursing at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Dr. Roya Haghiri-Vijeh is an outstanding educator who is recognized for her teaching excellence and unwavering commitment to student wellbeing. 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. Her emphasis on intersectionality and humility fosters empathy and advocacy within the nursing profession and has inspired countless students to seek out opportunities within her area of research.

Dr. Haghiri-Vijeh is recognized for her innovative teaching strategies, exemplified by her recent collaboration with a university in Hong Kong, highlighting the importance of global perspectives in nursing education. She also launched a scholarship for students working with 2SLGBTQIA+ migrants and developed gender-affirming online resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. She routinely brings students into communities, breaking barriers between theory and practice in nursing education.

Her students describe her as an “exemplary advocate for lifelong learning,” and are inspired by her dedication to health equity in the nursing profession.

Dr. Penny Tryphonopoulos 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 consistently invites student feedback on course content and assesses the efficacy of teaching strategies, ensuring that her methods remain responsive to students’ diverse learning needs.

Dr. Tryphonopoulos has also made significant contributions to nursing research and scholarship, having supervised 18 postgraduate theses. She effectively integrates her own research experience into curriculum, modelling advocacy in critical areas such as women’s health, mental health, and health equity across the lifespan. She is also an invaluable mentor to her colleagues who have benefited tremendously from her knowledge and eagerness to share tips and strategies to enhance their learning experience.

One of Dr. Typhonopoulos’ students writes: “her unwavering dedication to fostering academic and emotional growth among students, championing academic excellence, and applying innovative and effective teaching strategies sets her apart as a remarkable educator”.

Aya Tagami is 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. Aya successfully completed a randomized feasibility trial within a two-year timeframe, exceeding expectations for Master’s level research. Her findings have laid the groundwork for new lines of inquiry, which have significant potential to improve post-surgical outcomes for patients.

Additionally, Aya is recognized for her extensive engagement with the nursing community. She joined a research collaboration in primary health care during her Master’s program and currently holds a Research Coordinator position with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She has been actively involved with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, taking on Executive Network Officer roles, and joining key committees. She also served as a Graduate Peer Mentor, providing invaluable support and guidance to other graduate students.

Jenna Leichner receives 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 policy, and see the unique value of the nurse practitioner role.

Jenna’s colleagues highlight her exceptional ability to foster an environment that is both challenging and supportive, instilling confidence in her students as they navigate clinical settings. She delivers constructive feedback with the utmost professionalism and consistently models an exemplary dedication to public safety and patient care. Her diverse clinical background includes primary care and mental health, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma- informed therapy, providing students with invaluable insights about a wide range of clinical settings.

One of Jenna’s students writes: “she is an exceptional preceptor who embodies all the qualities outlined in the Preceptor Recognition Award criteria: clinical excellence, commitment to lifelong learning, a collaborative approach, and an unwavering dedication to student success”.

COUPN recognizes Dr. Lisa Cranley 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.

Dr. Cranley demonstrates significant and sustained leadership. She is an editorial board member of the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, a member of the Ontario Interdisciplinary Council for Aging and Health, and Co-Chair of the Canadian Network for Nurse Researchers in Aging. She has also supervised eight graduate students and has served on committees for an additional nine students.

Recognized as a distinguished expert in LTC health care delivery, Dr. Cranley boasts an impressive funding record, a robust publication history, and is sought after for presentations and committees. Her dedication to improving the lives of older Canadians is evident through her extensive work in gerontological and nursing policy, practice, research, and education.