The sixth annual Healthier You Awards event was held at the Coast Inn of the North Friday night to honour those who have contributed to the health and wellness of the members of the Prince George community and the region.
The event was presented by The Prince George Citizen, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society executive director Baljit Sethi and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
Ten categories were open for nomination for companies, organizations and individuals.
Health and Wellness Advocate of the Year went to Neil Evans, who has had a positive impact in the region through advocacy for health and wellness. Since becoming the manager of the in-patient unit at the Fort St. John Hospital, Evans has started a number of initiatives to streamline patient care and increase the overall quality of care on the unit. As well, he has raised awareness for prostate cancer through the Movember fundraising effort. Other nominees included Diane and Paul Duperron, Dr. Ronald Chapman, Healthier You Magazine, Jessica Quinn, Northern Health STOP, and the HIV/AIDS Pilot Project Team.
Youth Initiative of the Year went to Avril Harris who provided a product or service which enhances the health and wellness of youth in northern B.C. Other nominees included the Junior Volunteer program at University Hospital of Northern B.C., the Prince George Public Library Youth Advisory Board, Telus, and the St. John Hospital Auxiliary's Youth Volunteer Program.
Outstanding Multicultural Contribution went to the Canadian Cancer Society for making an extraordinary contribution towards the health of the multicultural community. Other nominees included Carney Hill Neighbourhood Centre and the Red Cross.
Health and Wellness Innovator of the Year went to Dr. Ronald Chapmanfor developing or implementing a new approach to enhance the health of citizens. Other nominees included Ann Redding, Healthier You Magazine, and Jessica Quinn.
The Health and Wellness Educator of the Year also went to Dr. Ronald Chapman for providing ongoing health and wellness education to either health-care providers, students and/or citizens of the region. Other nominees included Aboriginal Patient Liaison and Healthier You Magazine.
Seniors Initiative of the Year went to Citizen columnist Kathy Nadalin, who has developed an initiative to enhance the quality of life for seniors by providing a welcoming environment at the Elder Citizens Recreations Association Centre and creating the Senior Bags initiative that provides more than 200 seniors Christmas gift bags when they might otherwise have been forgotten. Other nominees in this category included Peace Villa Residential Care Project, Prince George Council of Seniors, Tracie Albisser and the St. John Hospital Auxiliary's Youth Volunteer Program.
First Nations Initiative of the Year went to Pamela Tobin, who developed or introduced a product or service which enhances the health and wellness of First Nations within the region. Tobin helped create a community based Aboriginal Cancer Care Strategy to ensure meaningful engagement while empowering and supporting community based initiatives. Other nominees include Aboriginal Patient Liaison, Carney Hill Neighbourhood Centre, Cynthia Munger, and the Walk Tall Program.
Health and Wellness Provider of the Year is Ann Redding for demonstrating exemplary service and dedication to enhancing the health and wellness of citizens of the North. Redding is a registered nurse who is a constant advocate for best practice in the ICU in Fort St. John. Other nominees included B.C. Cancer Agency Centre for the North, Kim Kokesch, Neil Evans, and Robert Traxler.
Technology in Health Care award went to Dr. Bill Clifford, who developed, introduced or improved a technology product or has improved the interface or service between technology and health care. Dr. Clifford developed a valuable software tool for the health field in the form of an electronic medical record platform. Other nominees included the B.C. Cancer Agency Centre for the North, Fort St. John Hospital and Peach Villa Residential Care Project, and Jessica Quinn.
The Research Award was awarded to Dr. Rob Olson, who has performed research in the field of health and wellness within northern British Columbia. Olson is leading research at the new Cancer Centre of the North. Other nominees include Ann Redding, Anne George, Innovation and Development Commons, and Martha McLeod.
