2024 Nominees & Winners

Commitment to Clinical Education

Winner – Linda Smith – Health Sciences North 

Linda Smith has worked at Health Sciences North for the past 20 years. Linda most recently transitioned to the role of Coordinator of Diabetes, Bariatrics, Ophthalmology and Nutrition Counseling where she supports the coordination of placements for nursing and allied health clinicians. Linda was nominated for the Commitment to Clinical Education by a student because she is always willing to have learners on placement with her and is a preceptor that all OT students wish for when entering placement. She is an excellent example of an OT that goes above and beyond for students’ learning. She carries herself with such confidence and kindness that radiants in the clinic. She uses her experience and knowledge to follow best practices for patient care and is a great advocate for students and for the profession.

Nominees:

• Linda Smith – Health Sciences North
• Valérie Beauchamp – Health Sciences North
• Deanna Rose – One Kids Place (Parry Sound)
• Heather Lees – Sault Area Hospital
• Niko Gregorin – North Bay Regional Health Centre
• Anabelle Mann – Sensenbrenner Hospital
• Breanna May – North Bay Regional Health Centre
• Kim Parsons – Pioneer Manor
• Kristi MacWilliam – FIREFLY

Innovative Preceptor Award 

Winner – Sarah-Jane Mason – One Kid’s Place (Huntsville)

Sarah-Jane is an Occupational Therapist at One Kids Place (OKP) in Muskoka. Sarah-Jane currently supports children aged 0-21 in school, daycare, and community settings. She additionally is qualified and completes Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessments as requested from pediatricians in the area to support Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostics. Sarah-Jane was nominated for the Innovative Preceptor Award by a previous student who praised her for being so adaptable and creating unique ways that this student could continue with her placement while supporting a sick family member at home. Sarah-Jane also demonstrated being an innovative OT by striving to adapt equipment to clients needs so they are able to participate in school-based occupations and create equal accessible opportunities to learn. One example involves a client who could only type with their feet due to dystonia in their upper extremities and Sarah-Jane liaised with a vendor who was able to create a specialized keyboard stand.

Nominees:

• Sarah-Jane Mason – One Kids Place (Huntsville)
• Sophie Stasyna – FIREFLY

Interprofessional Collaborator

Winner – Mavia DeNoble – Pioneer Manor

Mavia is an Occupational Therapist working in one of the largest long-term care facilities in Northern Ontario. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to work in many different settings, but has had a particular interest and focus in geriatrics. She is a Geriatric Assessor working with a wide range of complex residents focusing on restorative programming and complex seating assessments. Mavia strives to develop relationships with other disciplines in order to improve and provide the most comprehensive care to residents. She takes time out of her busy schedule to form these therapeutic relationships that increase the quality of life of the residents she works with. Mavia encourages students to seek out inter-professional activities and is open to having students shadow many different disciplines that interact with OT’s.

Nominees:

• Mavia DeNoble – Pioneer Manor
• Heidi Resetar – Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services
• James Pelchat – St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre
• Lisa Hartman – West Parry Sound Health Centre
• Carly Charbonneau – Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre

Northern Ambassador

Winner – Monique Jardine – North Bay Regional Health Centre

Monique Jardine is an Occupational Therapist working with adults in an in-patient mental health rehabilitation unit at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC). Monique has worked at NBRHC for 20 years, and has enjoyed mentoring students for the majority of her career. By promoting a culture of respect and teamwork, Monique contributes to the holistic development of learners and enhances their overall educational experience. Monique enjoys engaging in activities that involve being out in nature, and she looks for ways to engage students and patients in these meaningful activities that support social engagement, healthy lifestyles, and building inner capacities.

Nominees:

• Monique Jardine – North Bay Regional Health Centre
• Christine Labelle – Home and Community Care Support Services
• Valerie Fecteau – St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre

Commitment to Clinical Education 

Winner – Marie-Josee Dagenais – North Bay Regional Health Centre

Marie-Josee is a very deserving recipient of the Commitment to Clinical Education Award because of her clear passion for helping to facilitate learner growth and development. She consistently provides ongoing feedback in multiple aspects of physiotherapy practice such as assessment, treatment, and discharge planning, and she is also open to receiving feedback. She frequently consults the research to learn about the most up-to-date, efficacious treatment for patients with certain conditions or impairment, and applies the evidence directly into her practice. She encourages her students to consult the literature during their placement opportunities. Finally, she facilitates discussion with her students related to their schooling and how they can apply this to their patients, and highlights what she was taught and additional training she has received during her career.

Nominees:

• Marie-Josee Dagenais – North Bay Regional Health Centre
• Hailey Lively – St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre
• Julie Lo – St. Joseph’s Care Group
• Michael Paularinne – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Innovative Preceptor Award

Winner – Fraser Stephenson – Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority

Fraser Stephenson is the recipient of the 2024 Innovative preceptor award for physiotherapy because he is, in the words of one of his students, “an outstanding preceptor”.  Fraser graduated from the U of T in 2017, and after focusing on pediatrics in the GTA for a number of years, moved to Sioux Lookout to become interim clinical manager and PT at the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.   Fraser’s passion for teaching is evident in the numerous and innovative ways through which he engages his students.  He intentionally exposes his learners to a wide variety of learning situations in non-traditional environments that reflect the broad spectrum of PT practice roles. He consistently promotes independent self-reflection, with formalized goal setting and achievement, as a means of providing innovative feedback to his students.  He always seeks diverse experiences for his learners that will challenge them while simultaneously exposing them to the social, emotional, historical, political, and environmental factors that impact the care that Physiotherapists deliver. In summary, Fraser Stephenson is an outstanding preceptor who’s love of teaching consistently shines through in the many innovative methods that he employs, always with the intention of helping his students become the best all around Physiotherapists that they can be.

Nominee:

• Fraser Stephenson – Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority

Interprofessional Collaborator

Winner – Jill Whitwam – Temiskaming Hospital (Blanche River Health)

Jill demonstrates the importance of being an Interprofessional Collaborator. She is highly regarded as an important member of the interdisciplinary team, who all speak positively of her as a valued team member. She strongly describes the physiotherapy aspect of patient care and does so in a manner that other team members are able to understand. She is also a strong advocate for the interprofessional team and works hard to help her students understand their role and to involve her students to work closely alongside the team. One student describes that this greatly helps to increase their confidence to speak during rounds and be able to effectively communicate with the rest of the interprofessional team.

Nominee:

• Jill Whitwam – Temiskaming Hospital (Blanche River Health)

Northern Ambassador 

Winner – Derek Debassigne – Manitoulin Physio Centre

Derek Debassige is a McMaster trained Physiotherapist and owner and Clinical Director of Manitoulin Physio Centre located on the M’Chigeeng First Nation. Derek is a strong advocate for the needs of the communities on Manitoulin Island. He has developed unique funding streams for patients to access physiotherapy services on Manitoulin and helps demonstrate and teach the importance of community outreach as a clinician to his students. He incorporates Indigenous health practices and teachings into his clinical practice and helps learners do the same by passing on teachings and providing opportunities for learning about Indigenous culture outside the traditional placement setting. He is also very involved as an active member outside of his clinical practice, making him a trusted clinician, and person, on the Island. As one learner commented, his passion for helping others in his community is unmatched.

Nominees:

• Derek Debassigne – Manitoulin Physio Centre
• Rachel Parisien – Sault Area Hospital

Academic Excellence 

Winner – Cheryl Alderdice – Symetrics

Cheryl has been working at Symetrics in North Bay since 2014. Outside of direct client care, and being a Clinical Supervisor, she is also the Clinical Education Coordinator and Education Lead at the clinic. She has a passion for teaching, mentoring, and watching students and clinicians grow. Cheryl’s dedication to Academic Excellence has resulted in the last 2 students she mentored being hired at their clinic, and her role as a preceptor and commitment to developing great quality professionals lead to a seamless transition of these individuals from students to full time hires. Cheryl organizes a one hour education session every month for the therapists to meet and review cases, do chart reviews, review policies and procedures, and have staff present on new education they have learned, and lead the staff in though provoking discussions in order to improve patient care. Cherly further demonstrates academic excellence by recently taking time off of her busy patient schedule to attend preceptor development sessions run by NOSM U in order to share the knowledge she gains from this with the other staff members to improve the clinics mentorship program. She is an exceptional clinician who strives to provide her clients with the best quality evidence based care.

Nominee:

• Cheryl Alderdice – Symetrics

Commitment to Clinical Education 

Winner – Sally Guillemette – Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Centre 

We are thrilled to present the Commitment to Clinical Education Award to Sally Guillemette in recognition of her outstanding dedication and contributions to the field of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) education. Since 2014, Sally  has welcomed at least one SLP student every year, offering them invaluable placement opportunities. Sally’s teaching approach is described as nothing short of exceptional. From the moment she steps into the office, she is fully prepared and eager to educate her students on a wide array of topics. Her students have consistently praised her ability to impart knowledge not only about the profession but also in all areas of clinical competencies. What truly sets Sally apart as an educator is her unwavering support and encouragement. Throughout the learning process, she fosters an environment where students feel empowered to attempt new interventions and assessments without hesitation. Her approachable nature and willingness to address any question, no matter how trivial it may seem, make her a standout clinical instructor. One of her students shared, “She started off the whole placement making me comfortable to ask questions about anything… I have never had a clinical instructor as receptive as she was.”

Nominees:

• Sally Guillemette – Cochrane Timiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre
• Sara King – Thrive Children’s Treatment Centre (Blind River)
• Lori Spicer – George Jeffrey Children’s Centre
• Susan Coulter – Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
• Theresa Le – FIREFLY
• Kelsey Belanger – George Jeffrey Children’s Centre

Innovative Preceptor Award 

Winne – Carrie Linklater – North Bay Regional Health Centre

Since joining the North Bay Regional Health Centre in 2009, Carrie has been a cornerstone in the Speech Pathology department, touching countless lives with her expertise and compassionate care. However, what truly sets Carrie apart is her innovative approach to clinical education. Innovation is about finding new, better, and more effective ways to solve problems. Carrie embodies this spirit in her role as a preceptor. She has been nominated for this award due to her remarkable ability to adapt her teaching methods to suit the individual needs of each student. By doing so, she ensures that every student under her guidance receives the utmost learning experience, tailored to their unique strengths and challenges. Carrie’s dedication to fostering innovation in clinical education sets a gold standard for preceptors everywhere. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with her adaptability and student-centered approach, makes her truly deserving of this prestigious award.

Nominee:

• Carrie Linklater – North Bay Regional Health Centre

Interprofessional Collaborator 

Winners – Brenda Liddle & Allan Gowan – Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare

We are thrilled to announce Brenda Liddle as this year’s recipient of the Interprofessional Collaborator Award. Brenda’s dedication to the field of Speech-Language Pathology and her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration truly sets her apart. For over 22 years, Brenda has been an invaluable member of the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare team. Her journey began after obtaining her Master’s in Speech Pathology from the University of Alberta. One of Brenda’s remarkable qualities is her ability to foster interdisciplinary learning. She has taken the initiative to arrange shadowing opportunities with individuals from various healthcare disciplines, enriching the learning experience for her students. Her commitment to interprofessional education extends beyond her immediate role, as she has provided educational sessions to NOSM University medical students on adult communication disorders and dysphagia. Moreover, Brenda has conducted workshops for community healthcare practitioners on Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia, sharing her expertise and enhancing the quality of care in the community.

Allana Gowan, a dedicated Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, is one of this year’s recipients of the prestigious Interprofessional Collaborator Award. With a career spanning over two decades in acute care and rehabilitation across multiple hospitals in Ontario, including Burlington, Toronto, Cambridge, Parry Sound, and now Muskoka, Allana has consistently showcased her commitment to excellence and interprofessional collaboration. Allana’s supervisory skills have left an indelible mark on her students. As one student aptly put it, “Allana is a fantastic supervisor. She encourages discussion, always answers questions, and demonstrates how to effectively collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.” She is known for her dedication to providing learning opportunities that foster the growth of clinical skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare provision in Northern Ontario.

Nominees:

• Brenda Liddle – Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
• Allana Gowan – Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare

Northern Ambassador 

Winner – Rachel Pessah – Bright Spot Therapy

We are thrilled to present the Northern Ambassador Award to Rachel Pessah, a dedicated speech-language pathologist and the founder of Bright Spot Therapy Services Ltd. Born and raised in Timmins, Ontario, Rachel returned to her hometown to make a meaningful impact on her community’s well-being. Rachel believes that her expertise today is a testament to the incredible preceptors and supervisors she learned from as a student. With a deep sense of responsibility, Rachel actively mentors and supports aspiring speech-language pathologists, often welcoming students to her Bright Spot office. Her commitment to being a Northern Ambassador goes beyond her professional role. She embraces the beauty and culture of Northern Ontario, introducing her students to the wonders of Timmins and beyond. From exploring trails and beaches to experiencing paddle-board yoga, Rachel ensures her students have a rich and diverse experience. In a true display of ambassadorship, Rachel initiated a unique bingo game for her summer students. With a social media campaign engaging local residents, she encouraged them to share their favorite Timmins activities. This innovative approach not only promoted community involvement but also enriched her students’ Northern Ontario experience. Rachel embodies the spirit of the Northern Ambassador Award. Her passion, dedication, and commitment to her community, students, and profession make her a shining example of what it means to be a Northern Ambassador.

Nominees:

• Rachel Pessah – Bright Spot Therapy Services
• Myriam Bernier – FIREFLY
• Kelsey Belanger – George Jeffrey Children’s Centre
• Natasha Roy – One Kids Place