Pictured from left to right: Heather Stillitano, Sarah Smith, Jennifer Jaswal, Susan Whitehouse, Suishanie Brooks, Katie Caswell, Katrina (Katie) Koch, Sarah Lafond, Jonathan Hogeterp, Laura Rashleigh, Deborah Wiseman, Lina Martins, Lena Johnston and Kelly Miller.
May 16, 2025
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is celebrating the recipients of its 2025 Nursing Recognition Awards. This annual ceremony recognizes some of LHSC's exemplary nursing and other team members for their contributions to patient care, education, innovation and more.
“I am incredibly proud of our recipients and nominees,” says Deborah Wiseman, LHSC’s Corporate Nursing Executive and Vice President of Medicine, Emergency Services, Critical Care and Clinical Neurological Sciences. “We received more than 130 nominations this year, which speaks to the high calibre of our nursing teams at LHSC. It’s been inspiring to hear about the positive impact they’ve had on each other and the patients and families we serve.”
As LHSC celebrates 150 years of teaching, care and research, Wiseman says she’s looking forward to how LHSC’s nurses will continue their journey of excellence over the next 150 years.
“I truly believe our nursing staff – from our registered nurses and registered practical nurses to our clinical nurse specialists – will continue to play a critical role in providing high-quality, patient-centered care and in driving the research and innovations that will transform our health-care system more broadly.”
This year’s Nursing Recognition Awards ceremony was hosted by Nursing Practice Excellence and Innovation (NPEI) at Victoria Hospital on May 15. It was generously sponsored by the London Health Sciences Foundation, Children’s Health Foundation, RBC Royal Bank and WFCU Credit Union.
The recipients in each category are:
Advancing Equity and Inclusion
Suishanie Brooks, Registered Practical Nurse (Nursing Resource Team) and Black Health Navigator
This award recognizes a nurse who demonstrates commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in nursing practice.
Suishanie Brooks is a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and Black Health Navigator committed to improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities within the Black community. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by marginalized populations, she provides culturally informed, compassionate care that prioritizes the voices and needs of Black patients and their families. Through education, outreach and hands-on support, Suishanie serves as a trusted advocate and resource, working to ensure equitable access to health care and a more inclusive system for all.
Advancing Practice, Research and Innovation
Jennifer Jaswal, Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan Hemoglobinopathy Program)
This award recognizes a nurse in an advanced practice role who has significantly contributed to nursing practice, research and innovation.
Jennifer Jaswal is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) who has been instrumental in developing and implementing evidence-based clinical guidelines for sickle cell pain management, fever and perioperative care. Jennifer has also contributed to working groups focused on enhancing emergency department and inpatient care for individuals with sickle cell disease. These collaborations have focused on streamlining pain management protocols, reducing admission times and improving overall patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and cross-departmental coordination. Her ongoing projects target improving vitamin D deficiency and vaccination rates in patients with hemoglobinopathies (blood disorders involving hemoglobin).
Excellence in Clinical Practice
Sarah Lafond, Nurse Case Manager (Paediatric Nephrology and Urology)
This award recognizes a nurse who consistently demonstrates overall excellence in evidence-informed clinical nursing practice.
Sarah Lafond is a Nurse Case Manager who works with families of children undergoing renal (kidney) transplants. She led the development of a multidisciplinary clinic for patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia (a genetic disease affecting kidney function, bones and teeth), improving access to and care coordination. Sarah is a fierce advocate for evidence-based therapy, ensuring that all eligible patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia receive the treatment Burosumab. Her contributions to patient safety have been recognized in scientific literature, highlighting her commitment to professional, high-quality care and ethical principles.
Excellence in Nursing Leadership
Lena Johnston, Clinical Manager (Children’s Hospital Emergency Department)
This award recognizes a nurse in a formal or informal leadership role who exhibits excellence and authenticity in leadership.
Lena Johnston is the Clinical Manager for the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, bringing over 20 years of nursing experience to her role. Lena is known for leading with integrity and fostering a positive, supportive team culture built on trust, empathy and open communication. One of her greatest strengths lies in her ability to mentor, coach and develop others. She takes an active role in providing guidance to nurses and is always willing to share her wealth of experience. Lena truly listens to understand and empowers her team to work together effectively in pursuit of their shared goals.
Exceptional Person-Centered Care
Katie Caswell, Registered Nurse (Multiple Sclerosis Clinic)
This award recognizes a nurse who consistently demonstrates exceptional person-centered care.
Katie Caswell is a Registered Nurse (RN) providing comprehensive care to more than 4,700 patients living with complex neuroimmunological diseases. Her ability to build trust and create a compassionate, respectful space is a defining feature of her practice. Katie regularly goes beyond routine care to understand the lived experience of each patient and tailors her approach accordingly. Whether it’s counselling someone through their initial diagnosis or providing education to support informed decisions about treatments, Katie treats all her patients as key partners in their own care.
Exemplary Interprofessional Team
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (University Hospital)
This award recognizes the power and impact of an effective interprofessional team.
The Post Anesthesia Care Unit team at University Hospital is a powerhouse of skill, heart and dedication. From the moment patients leave the operating room, PACU nurses are right there keeping a close eye on every heartbeat and breath, managing their pain, offering comfort and guiding them those first moments after surgery. It’s fast-paced, high-stakes work and this team handles it with genuine care. The team is comprised of a charge nurse, 42 full- or part-time nurses, two unit clerks, one educator and four rotating personal support workers (PSWs). Together, they support around 40 to 50 patients each day.
Cultivating Learning and Growth
Jonathan Hogeterp, Registered Nurse (Paediatric Diabetic Education Team)
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.
Jonathan Hogeterp is a Registered Nurse (RN) focused on paediatric diabetes education. Jon's exceptional mentorship has helped new nurses thrive by sharing his expertise on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pump settings. He guides other nurses in interpreting downloads and adjusting parameters and frequently accompanies team members to emergency room visits when they need support navigating complex clinical situations. His mentorship is marked by empathy and patience, fostering a supportive learning and growth environment for new nurses.
Outstanding Preceptor, Coach or Mentor
Katrina (Katie) Koch, Charge Nurse (Medicine, Victoria Hospital) and Nurse Coach
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.
Katrina (Katie) Koch is a Charge Nurse and Nurse Coach who is dedicated to supporting and uplifting the next generation of nurses. In her role as a Nurse Coach, she provides at-the-elbow support on the floor to new nurses, internationally educated nurses and nurses looking to upgrade their skills. She is known for being kind, approachable and for building up other nurses’ self-confidence. When mentoring, Katie asks thoughtful, open-ended questions like, “Why do you think that is the best option?” or “What’s guiding your decision here?” to promote critical thinking in a psychologically safe way.
LHSC 150 Years Legacy Award
Lina Martins, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Skin, Wound and Ostomy Team)
This award recognizes a nurse for their distinguished, long-standing contributions to nursing at LHSC, demonstrating the power of nurses to transform health care. It is new this year in celebration of LHSC’s 150-year anniversary.
Lina Martins, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, is known as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Skin, Wound and Ostomy Team (SWOT). With nearly 39 years of experience, Lina's specialized knowledge in wound, ostomy and continence care has profoundly impacted nursing practice and patient outcomes. Her expertise spans acute and chronic wound care, fistula management, complicated stoma presentations and diabetic foot ulcers. Lina's leadership extends from bedside care to international publications, including the development of the validated DET (discolouration, erosion and tissue overgrowth) skin scoring tool for ostomy care.