News release

Nominations Excellence Awards Now Open

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Cancer Care Nova Scotia (CCNS) is calling for nominations for its 2013 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 Nova Scotia patients and families.

"Cancer Care Nova Scotia is in the business of strengthening the cancer system and we do so by working within government, and in partnership with health administrators, health professionals and others," said Archie MacEachern, CCNS board member and member of the 2013 Excellence Awards Committee. "We are fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated health professionals and community volunteers who routinely go above and beyond to make the cancer system the very best it can be."

Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, chief medical director, CCNS, said the system is very focused on getting it right for patients and families but generally does not take time to celebrate its milestones and accomplishments.

"The Excellence Awards provide an important opportunity to take stock and celebrate the contributions of the many people who play a critical role in ensuring Nova Scotia has a high quality cancer system," said Dr. Giacomantonio. "I encourage 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."

Four awards will be presented in three categories:

  • Leadership Excellence
  • Excellence in Patient Care Awards, one to recognize health-professional contributions and one to highlight the valuable role of volunteers
  • Pioneer Excellence Award, which was last presented when the Excellence Awards were introduced in 2009

The Pioneer Excellence Award will be presented again this year to mark the fifth anniversary of the Excellence Awards.

Both individual and group nominations will be considered for the leadership and pioneer awards, including, volunteers, activists, health professionals, health administrators and researchers.

The Excellence in Patient Care Awards are specific to a health professional or teams 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 nomination deadline is April 26.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Excellence 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.