2006 NURSING AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Aboriginal Nurse, The, Jul 2006

On May 12,2006, during a special ceremony, Minister of Health Tony Clement presented three outstanding nurses who serve First Nations and Inuit communities with the Award of Excellence.

The Award of Excellence in Nursing celebrates the dedication, initiative and excellence of nurses employed by First Nations communities, Health Canada and Inuit communities who work in partnership to improve the health of Canada's Aboriginal people. It is presented every year during National Nursing Week and nurses are nominated for this award by their peers. Each winner receives a $2,500 non-cash award to be used for his/her professional development.

This year's recipients are:

Sandro Echaquan, who grew up in the Attikamekw community of Manawan, Quebec, has worked there as a nurse since 1999. Mr. Echaquan has a Master's Degree in nursing from Université de Montréal and is currently studying to qualify as a nurse practitioner in primary care, while also holding down a job in a promising telehealth project. Sandro's peers agree that his enthusiasm and persevering attitude make him an exceptional resource for his clients. There is no doubt that Sandro Echaquan embodies the future of nursing in First Nations communities.

Susan Jewitt has been nurse-in-charge for almost four years at the Horse Lake First Nation Health Centre in Alberta. She has successfully introduced a number of health programs in the community and has pioneered a volunteer centre at Grande Prairie Regional College. Ms. Jewitt's greatest passions are prenatal education and women's health issues. Susan is presently working towards her MA in nursing. Through initiatives such as smoking cessation programs for teens and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome walks, she is a role model for staff and through her lifestyle change has become a source of inspiration to her community.

Gail Redpath has worked in First Nations and Inuit communities for over 25 years. Since 1988, she has been supervisor of health programs in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. Ms. Redpath is hoping to become a nurse practitioner. In addition to her work as a nurse, Gail serves as an elected council member, is involved in local radio shows, the National Addictions Awareness week, and in the coordination of a local AIDS walk. These actions demonstrate her commitment to the community and explain her clients' attachment to this exceptional nurse.