Please note that the awards nomination campaign will launch on October 1, at which time the online nomination form and the nomination template will become available.
The Award
This award recognizes individuals and/or teams that are committed to transforming and improving patient safety within any healthcare environment, through leadership, culture change, quality improvement, patient partnership, and innovation.
The recipient will receive an etched glass trophy and a cash prize of $1,000. Should the future permit us to return to an in-person event, one representative of the winning organization will also receive paid travel and accommodations to attend the College’s Honouring Health Leadership event, and a complimentary registration to the CCHL National Conference.
The Canadian College of Health Leaders recognizes that different healthcare sectors use different terminology to describe the individuals they serve. While the term “patient” is used for this award, it is considered an all-inclusive concept that includes all types of clients.
Eligibility
Individuals and teams operating in Canada are eligible for this award. To be considered, nominees must demonstrate organizational commitment and involvement of senior leaders, point of care/frontline workers, and patients and/or families, and sustainable approaches to addressing a patient safety challenge. Patient safety initiatives must demonstrate scalable and transferable learnings and how the initiative is improving patient safety outcomes. Established or in-progress initiatives are welcome to apply.
All submissions must satisfy the following criteria:
- a collaborative and interprofessional team approach that includes senior management, point of care/front line workers, patients and families, peer supporters, and elders;
- use of evidence and leading practices;
- creative or innovative practices;
- adoption of a comprehensive approach to quality improvement/change management and program implementation;
- evidence of sustainability (e.g., integration into the business / operational plan) and replicability;
- evidence that patient safety is improved/improving;
- description of how patients and families are being meaningfully involved in the initiative; and,
- explanation of how the initiative creates value.
Nominations
Nominations must be made by a member of the College and be submitted by February 1.
Nominations must be submitted as one PDF file via the team and organization award online form and include the following:
- the completed nomination form (to be completed online);
- a letter of nomination from a member of the College;
- no more than two letters of support, with one being from the nominee’s chief executive officer or vice-president, who is a member of the College;
- using the nomination template, information to meet the above criteria, including quantitative and qualitative data and evidence of progress/improvement, where possible; and,
- other considerations the nominator feels may be of interest to the selection committee.
Sponsored by:
2023 Recipient: Mackenzie Health
In November 2019, Mackenzie Health conducted an organizational safety culture survey as part of our accreditation requirements, which revealed an opportunity to improve patient safety practices. This was exacerbated by anecdotal concerns that safety events were being underreported across the health system.
MH developed a 5-part strategy for cultural and process redesign that included evidence informed methods of 1) engaging stakeholders and leveraging leadership support; 2) developing a quality and patient safety framework; 3) selecting meaningful organizational quality aims; 4) evolving the safety review process to enhance reporting and learning; and 5) creating a comprehensive communication plan. This strategy set the stage to improve the patient safety culture within the organization.
Past Recipients
Please see our most recent recipients listed below. Full details are available in our Celebrating Leading Practices booklets.
2023 – Mackenzie Health
2022 – William Osler Health System
2021 – Humber River Hospital
2020 – Markham Stouffville Hospital
2019 – University Health Network
2018 – Providence Health Care
2017 – Niagara Health
2016 – Baycrest
2015 – Mount Sinai Hospital
2014 – BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) & Vancouver General Hospital
2013 – Mackenzie Health
2012 – The Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre
2011 – The Wexford Residence