A nursing student advancing understanding of aboriginal health issues and another who has done community work in India are two of the seven award winners who were celebrated by the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing (COUPN), in its annual recognition of organizations, faculty members and students.
Aleshia Denny is the recipient of the COUPN Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award (Compressed Program). A student in Western University’s BScN program, she has been praised by her instructors to be an inspiring leader, who demonstrates scholarly excellence, and is a conscientious, compassionate practitioner. She is thriving in her current professional practice placement, for which she has specifically requested a rural setting, and aspires to become a nurse practitioner. She has been active in educating fellow students on election issues and helping arrange speaker series on Aboriginal health for her faculty.
Sarah Haliburton is the recipient of the COUPN Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award (four-year, BScN program). She is an accomplished student at McMaster University’s School of Nursing, a varsity athlete and an active volunteer within her program. During her recent international placement in India, Haliburton made a significant contribution to nursing practice at a Kolkata clinic. She was also a student ambassador and has written an in-depth report on HIV/AIDS in the Indian population.
“There are many talented students at the universities in Ontario, and we are pleased to see the recognition of Aleshia and Sarah’s hard work and leadership,” says Dr. Catherine Tompkins, Chair of COUPN and Associate Dean of Health Sciences (Nursing) at McMaster University. “As the demand for skilled nurses continues, programs at our universities will help prepare students like Aleshia and Sarah to provide the best health care for Ontarians, and will also advance research and innovation on an ongoing basis.”
Also recognized this year by COUPN are outstanding nursing faculty, staff and health program partners across Ontario. The fifth annual award ceremony took place on April 25, 2012.
The winners of this year’s awards are:
- Agency Recognition Award – Lakeridge Health Corporation, nominated by UOIT
- Doctoral Dissertation Award – Kim Widger, University of Toronto
- Award for Excellence in Collaborative Education – Kathy Cummings, UOIT
- Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award, Compressed Program – Aleshia Denny, Western University
- Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice at the Undergraduate Student Level Award, 4 Year BScN Program – Sarah Haliburton, McMaster University
- Excellence in Teaching Award – Jacqueline Choiniere, York University
- Preceptor Recognition Award – Vivian Recollet, nominated by the University of Toronto
Click here for more about the contribution of each recipient.
Click here to view photos from the 2012 COUPN awards ceremony.
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