News release

Nominations Now Open for Excellence Awards

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is calling for nominations for its 2014 Excellence Awards.

The awards were created to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of those who work to enhance and improve cancer prevention and care for patients and families.

"Cancer Care Nova Scotia's role is to strengthen the cancer system by working within government, and in partnership with health administrators, health professionals and others," said Cathy Blades, board member and chair of the 2014 Excellence Awards Committee. "Our many talented and dedicated health professionals and community volunteers routinely do their part and more to make our cancer system the very best it can be. The Excellence Awards are our way of recognizing their contributions."

"The system is very focused on getting it right for patients and families," said Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, chief medical director, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "It is extremely important that we take time to acknowledge its milestones and celebrate the people that make it succeed.

"The Excellence Awards provide an important opportunity to take stock and celebrate the work of all who play a critical role in ensuring Nova Scotia has a high quality cancer system. I encourage all health-care providers, volunteers and all who work within the system, as well as patients and families who have been impacted by cancer in any way, to consider nominating someone they believe has made a difference."

Three awards will be presented in two categories:

  • Leadership Excellence (one award)
  • Excellence in Patient Care Awards (two awards). One to recognize health-professional contributions and one to highlight the valuable role of volunteers

Both individual and group nominations will be considered for the leadership award. The Excellence in Patient Care Awards are specific to a health professional or team who provide direct patient care, and a volunteer or team who has positively impacted patient care.

Nomination information and details about qualifications for the awards are available at www.cancercare.ns.ca/awards or by calling 1-866-599-2267. The deadline for nominations is June 30.

The awards were introduced in 2009 to mark the organization's 10th anniversary.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a program of the Department of Health and Wellness, was created in 1998 to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians. It supports health professionals in providing patients with high quality care.

Its work with other organizations and its screening programs raise awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer risk, and educate Nova Scotians about available testing such as Pap tests for cervical cancer and home screening kits for colon cancer. The goal is to find cancer earlier and treat it better.