Congratulations to the 2026 Nursing Recognition Awards Winners

May 15, 2026

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is proud to recognize the outstanding individuals honoured through the 2026 Nursing Recognition Awards. These awards shine a light on the dedication, expertise, and compassion that nursing teams bring to their work every day. These individuals are leaders in shaping patient experiences, strengthening teams, and advancing care across the organization.

“This year’s nominations reflect the incredible depth of talent and commitment across our nursing community,” says Deborah Wiseman, LHSC’s Corporate Nursing Executive and Vice President of Medicine, Emergency Services, Critical Care and Clinical Neurological Sciences. “Each nomination has been a powerful reminder of the impact our nurses have, not only on patients and families, but on one another.”

From clinical care to education, leadership, and innovation, LHSC’s nurses continue to play a vital role in driving excellence and improving outcomes across the health system. Their contributions are helping to shape the future of patient-centred care through collaboration, research, and of course, the dedication to their patients.

The 2026 Nursing Recognition Awards were hosted by Nursing Practice Excellence and Innovation (NPEI) at Victoria Hospital and Children’s Hospital on May 14. Special thanks to London Health Sciences Foundation, Children’s Health Foundation, RBC Royal Bank, and WFCU Credit Union for their generous support of this event.

Join us in celebrating this year’s award recipients and nominees, and the meaningful contributions they make across LHSC.

Advancing Equity and Inclusion

Lori Hunt

This award recognizes a nurse who demonstrates commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in nursing practice.

Lori Hunt is a Clinical Educator in Medicine B subspecialties who is deeply committed to advancing equity and improving the patient experience at LHSC. She has played a key role in developing and delivering sickle cell education for staff, addressing critical gaps in knowledge, pain management, and the impact of bias and stigma in care. Lori led the creation of a comprehensive clinical pathway to enhance coordination, streamline treatment, and ensure more responsive, patient-centred care for individuals with sickle cell disease.

Through simulation-based training and interdisciplinary collaboration, she has helped foster a more informed and compassionate approach to care. Lori’s dedication extends beyond systems change; she is known for her empathy and advocacy at the bedside, ensuring patients feel heard, respected, and supported. Her work reflects a strong commitment to reducing health disparities and delivering holistic, inclusive care.

Advancing Practice, Research and Innovation

Jeremy Masse

This award recognizes a nurse in an advanced practice role who has significantly contributed to nursing practice, research and innovation.

Jeremy Masse is a nurse within the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics (MIT) program at LHSC, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing one of Canada’s leading radioligand therapy (RLT) programs. Recognized as a clinical and operational leader, Jeremy has helped design and implement innovative nursing workflows that support the safe, efficient delivery of highly specialized cancer treatments.

He has been instrumental in developing structured clinical pathways that streamline the patient journey—from consultation and imaging to treatment and follow-up—ensuring seamless coordination across multidisciplinary teams. His commitment to quality improvement has reduced wait times, enhanced patient access, and strengthened the overall efficiency of this complex care model.

Beyond LHSC, Jeremy is a national leader in theranostic nursing, sharing his expertise through education and collaboration with emerging programs across Canada. Despite the complexity of his work, he remains deeply committed to patient-centred care, ensuring individuals and families feel supported throughout their treatment experience.

Excellence in Clinical Practice

Deanna Masterson

This award recognizes a nurse who consistently demonstrates overall excellence in evidence-informed clinical nursing practice.

Deanna Masterson is a highly respected paediatric critical care nurse whose decades of experience have shaped excellence in care across LHSC’s Children’s Hospital. As long-standing nurse lead for the Paediatric Critical Care Outreach Team (PCCOT), and a leader in both the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) and High Dependency Transition Unit, she is known for her clinical expertise, calm presence, and ability to quickly recognize and respond. Her leadership has helped build a skilled, compassionate outreach team that is trusted across the organization.

A passionate educator and advocate, Deanna has played a key role in developing and delivering paediatric resuscitation training, including establishing the hospital’s Paediatric Advanced Life Support program and training hundreds of staff. Through her work in education, quality improvement, and hospital-wide emergency preparedness, she has strengthened both individual practice and system-level care. Deanna’s integrity, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to paediatric patients continue to leave a lasting impact on colleagues, families, and the broader organization.

Excellence in Nursing Leadership

JulieAnn Lawrence

This award recognizes a nurse in a formal or informal leadership role who exhibits excellence and authenticity in leadership.

JulieAnn Lawrence is a Nurse Practitioner whose leadership and commitment to lifelong learning have strengthened renal care across LHSC and beyond. Actively engaged in regional and organizational committees, she plays a key role in advancing program planning, aligning care across satellite dialysis units, and advocating for excellence in nephrology practice. She is also a national contributor, sharing her expertise through presentations and publications, while championing innovative approaches such as coaching and emotional intelligence to enhance both individual and team performance.

A dedicated mentor and collaborator, JulieAnn fosters a supportive and connected nursing community, bringing colleagues together to share knowledge and address practice challenges. Known for her approachable and thoughtful style, she creates opportunities for learning at the bedside and beyond, while consistently advocating for patient safety and high-quality care. Through her leadership, coaching, and commitment to recognizing excellence in others, JulieAnn continues to make a meaningful impact on patients, teams, and the broader healthcare system.

Exceptional Person-Centered Care

Josephine Tong  

This award recognizes a nurse who consistently demonstrates exceptional person-centered care.

Josephine is a dedicated nurse who leads the IV Therapy Clinic at University Hospital with compassion, professionalism, and a strong commitment to patient-centred care. She consistently delivers high-quality care for patients requiring urgent transfusions, IV iron, and other therapies, while fostering a positive and supportive clinical environment despite high volumes. Known for going above and beyond, Josephine advocates for vulnerable and marginalized patients, ensuring they can access care and remain connected to essential services.

A collaborative leader and trusted resource, Josephine supports the daily operations of the clinic while mentoring staff and working closely with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to improve care delivery. Her adaptability, clinical expertise, and commitment to innovation have helped integrate new therapies and streamline processes, all while maintaining a focus on safety, dignity, and individualized patient care.

Exemplary Interprofessional Team

University Hospital Operating room General Surgery and Urology Nursing Team

This award recognizes the power and impact of an effective interprofessional team.

The University Hospital Operating Room General Surgery and Urology Nursing Team  is a highly collaborative group delivering exceptional care across a broad and complex surgical program. This team supports multiple procedures, yet consistently adapts to evolving clinical demands while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centred care.

Despite managing a high surgical volume, the team demonstrates remarkable cohesion, relying on one another to anticipate needs and ensure efficiency. Above all else, they continue to uphold a consistently high standard of care. Their ability to function seamlessly within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment has been key to their success.

The team has played a critical role in advancing innovative surgical practices, including the expansion of minimally invasive and robotic procedures, as well as contributing to the Normothermic Regional Perfusion program, which have helped improve patient outcomes and expand access to life-saving transplant opportunities.

Cultivating Learning and Growth

Hannah Yassine

This award recognizes a nurse who is committed to cultivating growth in new nurses, other team members and patients/families, or in the nursing profession itself.

Hannah is a Clinical Educator known for advancing excellence in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) through innovation, education, and quality improvement. She developed a monthly CRRT Run Review, creating a structured, case-based learning forum that translates complex therapies into practical bedside application and strengthens staff confidence across all experience levels. By introducing measurable metrics such as filter life, set-up time, and treatment efficiency, she has driven more consistent, data-informed care and improved patient outcomes.

Hannah fosters a supportive, psychologically safe environment where staff feel encouraged to ask questions, reflect, and grow. Through mentorship, education, and knowledge sharing, she has strengthened CRRT competency within the PCCU and beyond, helping to build a more confident, skilled, and evidence-informed nursing team.

Outstanding Preceptor, Coach or Mentor

Anna Trinca  

This award recognizes a formal preceptor, coach or mentor who has provided outstanding support to students, novice nurses or internationally educated nurses completing their practice experiences.

Anna is a dedicated preceptor who demonstrates a thoughtful and individualized approach to teaching, adapting her style to meet the unique learning needs of her preceptee. She creates a supportive and encouraging environment, taking the time to build confidence, reinforce understanding, and foster both professional growth and emotional well-being.

Through clear communication, meaningful feedback, and a strong focus on evidence-based practice, Anna supports the development of clinical reasoning and safe, patient-centred care. She fosters a psychologically safe space where questions are welcomed and learning is continuous, helping her preceptee grow into a confident and capable practitioner.

LHSC Legacy Award

Donna Simpson

This award recognizes a nurse for their distinguished, long-standing contributions to nursing at LHSC, demonstrating the power of nurses to transform health care.  

Donna is a highly respected nurse whose more than 40-year career at LHSC has had a lasting impact on nursing practice, education, and clinical informatics. From her early days in cardiac care to leadership roles in education and coordination, and now in Clinical Informatics, she has consistently advanced patient care by bridging frontline practice with innovative digital solutions. Her work has been instrumental in shaping electronic health record systems, improving nursing documentation, workflows, and interdisciplinary communication across the organization.

A trusted leader and mentor, Donna is known for her practical insight, direct communication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. She has led and supported numerous initiatives that enhance patient safety, streamline care delivery, and strengthen clinical decision-making. Through her collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy for evidence-based practice, Donna continues to influence nursing at both a local and broader system level.

Congratulations again to all the nominees and recipients of this year’s Nursing Awards.

As we come to the end of Nursing week, there has been a consistent theme not only of the power of nursing, but also the passion behind nursing. It is evident that our LHSC nurses continue to shape the experiences for our patients, families and community through compassion and innovation whether at the bedside, in research or in leadership. As a final reflection, we are honoured to share a poem written by one of our own nurses which is a true reflection on the heart of a nurse.  

More Than You Think

By: Samantha Wreaks

 

I am more than you think I am. I have lived enough life to help you carry yours.  

I have learned how to learn.  

I have lost it and found it again.  

I have been patient with those who offer advice,  

And I have bitten my tongue when silence was the greater kindness.  

I pour my heart into what I do.  

I am more than I think I am.  

 

I am the tears of loved ones who would do anything to reverse time.  

The joy of new life and the weight of a new cancer diagnosis.  

 

I am the memory when you whisper, Remember when my husband....

The amputee learning to run again.  

The flowers you bring for the wife you lost.  

 

The hand you hold before goodbye.  

 

I am the  wound that never heals.  

The pain that will not quiet.  

The prayer when life feels like hell.  

 

I am the IV that saves your life.  

The oxygen that keeps you here.  

I am  the chaos, the mess no one wants to see.  

 

I run toward chaos.  

I don’t shy from it. I step forward in crisis.  

I will tell it like it is.

 

I will go to war for you.  

I will tell you when enough is enough.  

I will never make your fears feel small.  

I will laugh with you.  

I will cry with you.  

 

I will help you navigate the unknown.  

I will remember where you started and how far you’ve come.  

I will use my own scars to help you heal yours.  

 

I will try to never let you down.  

But I am human too.  

 

I am more than you think I am. I more than I think I am.  

And what a privilege it is to be part of your story.