Niagara Health has recognized nurses and care teams across the organization through its annual Nursing Excellence Awards, with a record-breaking 266 nominations submitted this year. The annual recognition program, held as part of National Nursing Week, celebrates the professionalism, leadership and impact of nurses working across the healthcare system.
According to Niagara Health, the peer nominations included meaningful stories illustrating commitment and impact and represent only a portion of the exceptional work taking place throughout the organization. Among the examples highlighted were a nurse who created and continues to maintain a “treasure box” for pediatric patients, another described as representing what the “heart and soul of nursing should be,” and quality improvement work in geriatric care that has been recognized at provincial and nursing leadership conferences. Two nurses were also honoured posthumously.
“To every nominee and award recipient, thank you for the excellence you bring to your teams, to your patients and to Niagara Health every single day,” said Simon Akinsulie, Executive Vice-President, Practice, Clinical Support and Chief Nursing Executive.
“To all nurses across our organization, know that your work matters. Your presence matters. And your leadership, in every form, is what continues to shape a stronger, safer and more compassionate healthcare system.”
In the Excellence in Nursing – Registered Nurse (RN) category, recognition was awarded to Marti Culig of the Walker Family Cancer Centre at Marotta Family Hospital; Sajana (Sunny) Akkarappattiyakal of Unit D at Niagara Falls Hospital; Leah Puddester of the Emergency Department at Welland Hospital; Cassandra Decicco of Complex Care at Port Colborne Complex and Urgent Care Centre; and Rodmel (John) Cerbo of Complex Care at Fort Erie Complex and Urgent Care Centre. Niagara Health recognized recipients for qualities including patient-centred care, leadership, compassion, advocacy and clinical excellence.
The Excellence in Nursing – Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) award recipients included Roger Helmkay of the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at Marotta Family Hospital, who received multiple nominations for his work across Mental Health units. Posthumous awards were presented to Caitlin Dixie of Unit C and Elizabeth (Liz) Cournoyea of the Emergency Department, both at Niagara Falls Hospital. Additional recipients included Collin Hoorelbeck, Clinical Scholar in Professional Practice at Welland Hospital, and Emily MacDonald of Complex Care at Port Colborne Complex and Urgent Care Centre.
Recipients in the Advanced Practice category included Jennifer Wierenga, Nurse Practitioner at the Walker Family Cancer Centre; Lea Slongo, Advanced Practice Nurse in Mental Health; and Julie Rubel, Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Geriatric Program at Welland Hospital. Niagara Health highlighted Rubel’s leadership in delirium prevention and management work in the Emergency Department and noted that the initiative has been shared at provincial and nursing leadership conferences.
Team-based recognition was also presented through the Excellence in Nursing – Teamwork and Collaboration category. The Heart Investigation Unit at Marotta Family Hospital was recognized after increasing procedural volumes by more than 14 per cent over the previous year while integrating Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy therapy. Medical Unit D at Niagara Falls Hospital was honoured for collaboration in stroke care, including expanding stroke capacity from 16 to 24 beds and achieving Stroke Distinction in June 2025.
In the Excellence in Nursing – Mentorship category, awards were presented to Marnie Fitzpatrick, RPN Clinical Scholar in Professional Practice at Marotta Family Hospital, and Laurie Karas, RN at Niagara Falls Satellite Hemodialysis. Niagara Health noted Fitzpatrick’s ability to create a safe and supportive environment for mentorship and recognized Karas for her advocacy and clinical judgment in ensuring a patient received urgent, lifesaving care.
The Nursing Excellence Awards continue to serve as one of Niagara Health’s signature National Nursing Week recognitions, highlighting the work of nursing professionals across the region.
