Shining a spotlight on this year’s Honoured to Care Awards recipients
From going above and beyond the call of duty to the many little things done each and every day, the Honoured to Care Awards celebrate how the Oak Valley Health team is living its values — demonstrating respect, trust, commitment, compassion, and courage across the organization.
This year marks the 7th annual Honoured to Care Awards, and for the first time, each of the above five categories recognized have two individual recipients. This marks a celebration of its people, their exemplary contributions, and the continued growth of the organization. The timing also coincides with the 35th anniversary of Markham Stouffville Hospital and serves as a reminder of how every member of its team contributes to its shared commitment to delivering extraordinary care.
In winter 2024, staff, patients, families, and the community were invited to nominate individuals or teams who demonstrated the organization’s core values through their actions and service across Markham Stouffville Hospital, Uxbridge Hospital, and the Reactivation Care Centre.
From one end of the care spectrum to the other, the awards recognize the contributions of all staff — clinical, support, administrative, and beyond.
The Honoured to Care Awards showcase the diverse talent and dedication across all departments and areas of care. Aligning with Oak Valley Health’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, and a renewed reflection on its core values, this recognition reinforces a shared commitment to advancing both its people and the culture they are collectively building.
Congratulations to this year’s Honoured to Care Awards recipients:
Respect: Marisa Bouwmeister, Manager, Professional Practice and Caitlin Keeble, Nurse Practitioner, Inpatient Mental Health.
Trust: Arden Warren, Registered Nurse, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding Clinic and Ricco Wong, Registered Nurse, Short Stay.
Commitment: Quinn McKenney, Clinical Dietitian & Dietitian Discipline Lead, Clinical Nutrition Inpatient and Carlos Pereira, Manager, Building Operations & Maintenance.
Compassion: Maxine Palmer, Registered Nurse, Postpartum/Paediatrics Unit and Genevieve Payumo, Unit Secretary, Transitional Care Unit.
Courage: Teresa Givelas, Patient Care Manager, Outpatient Mental Health, Staff & Physician Wellness and Leanne White, Patient Care Manager, Inpatient Mental Health, Crisis Team/Urgent Care Clinic and Community Treatment Order Program.
For more information about this year’s recipients and what their nominators have to say, visit oakvalleyhealth.ca and search for Awards.
Photo: Oak Valley Health’s 2024-2025 Honoured to Care Awards recipients.
*Story submitted by Alysia Burdi.