Nominations selected for an award were contacted in March 2020 and, with their permission, their stories will be subsequently published on this website as well as other Merck channels, including social media.
Congratulations to the following 2019/20 award recipients:
- British Columbia, Public Health Association of BC, Act Locally, Vaccinate Globally
- Ontario, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, After Hours Symptom Management Telephone Support
- Quebec, Intensive Care Unit Bridge Program, Bridging People & Medicine
- Quebec, DREAM Project Team, The DREAM Project
- Quebec, Dr. Nathalie Saad, Mount Sinai Tele-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
- Atlantic, Peninsula Clinical Supervision Model Team, Clinical Supervision Model for Children/Youth
- Atlantic, Adult Neurodevelopmental Stabilization Unit, NSHA, Building Capacity to Reduce Restrictive Practices
British Columbia
Act Locally, Vaccinate Globally - Public Health Association of BC
Online program makes learning a game and boosts global immunization
I Boost Immunity (IBI, https://iboostimmunity.com) and Kids Boost Immunity (KBI, https://kidsboostimmunity.com) are online learning platforms designed to raise vaccine literacy for children and adults. Users learn about immunization through a series of online quizzes and ‘earn’ lifesaving vaccines for children around the world through UNICEF Canada.

From left to right: Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Canada’s Minister of Health at the time; Ian Roe, PHABC National Manager - IBI/KBI; Shannon Turner, Executive Director, Public Health Association of BC; David Morley, President & CEO, UNICEF Canada. Photo credit https://kidsboostimmunity.com/kids-boost-immunity-and-unicef-encourage-canadian-students-act-local-vaccinate-global
I Boost Immunity (IBI, https://iboostimmunity.com) and Kids Boost Immunity (KBI, https://kidsboostimmunity.com) are online learning platforms designed to raise vaccine literacy for children and adults. As the first platforms of their kind anywhere in the world, users learn about immunization through a series of online quizzes and ‘earn’ lifesaving vaccines for children around the world through UNICEF Canada.
Visitors, known as Boosters, to the websites complete a series of fun and informative online quizzes or share articles and stories through their social networks.
KBI is a free digital learning platform for primary to high school students. KBI encourages students from grades 4-12 to think about immunization in a global context, connecting local classroom learning directly to global giving.
KBI was officially launched in April 2018. Approximately 240 schools from across Canada have registered in the program, with at least 8,000 students answering more than a million quiz questions related to vaccine health; improving student immunization literacy, reducing vaccine hesitancy and protection children against the misinformation spread through social media and the internet.
IBI was launched in April 2016 and has approximately 17,000 Boosters in 25 countries. Boosters have answered more than 1.4 million quiz questions, earning more than 750,000 vaccine doses.
Ontario
After-Hours Telephone Support - Stronach Regional Cancer Centre
After-hours hotline for cancer patients answers the call for patient-centred care
Patients with cancer that experience side effects from their treatment don’t just need help between 9am and 5pm. The Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Newmarket, Ontario piloted an initiative to provide after-hours telephone support and clinical guidance to cancer patients. The initiative has spread across the province, providing cancer patients after-hours access to a trusted healthcare professional, from the comfort of their own home.


Left image ‘Catherine Cotton, Director, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre”, Right image ‘Karyn Perry, Manager, Outpatient Clinics & Systemic Therapy Suite Cancer Care, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre’
Patients with cancer that experience side effects from their treatment don’t just need help between 9am and 5pm. A pilot project initiated at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Newmarket, Ontario in 2016 has expanded to provide after-hours telephone support and clinical guidance to cancer patients across the province.
Patients call a central contact number to receive symptom management advice from experienced specialized oncology nurses. The pilot project has provided a needed service in a cost-effective and efficient manner, leading to reduced emergency rooms visits. It has delivered patient care when, where and how cancer patients wanted to receive it.
By March 2018, the service had logged 500 calls a month. Of those patients using the service, 94 percent rated the services as "very helpful" and 80 percent reported that without the service they would have gone to the emergency room. Ninety-five percent of the patients who were referred to the hospital received the necessary medical intervention or were admitted. Today, the after-hours telephone support has transformed into a province-wide program available to all hospitals across Ontario that deliver systemic treatment. The initiative provides cancer patients after-hours access to a trusted healthcare professional, from the comfort of their own home.
Quebec
Bridging People and Medicine - Intensive Care Unit Bridge Program
ICU Bridge Program bridges intensive care with intensive caring
The ICU Bridge Program (www.icubridgeprogram.org) in the ICUs of the McGill University Hospital Centre (MUHC) and Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) is reducing the information gap and limiting the stress, anxiety and mental health impacts of the ICU environment through increased communication, heartfelt gesture, and an innovative electronic diary program provided by university-student volunteers.
Adamo Donovan, ICU Bridge Program Director and Co-Founder
The ICU Bridge Program (www.icubridgeprogram.org) in the ICUs of the McGill University Hospital Centre (MUHC) and Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) is reducing the information gap and limiting the stress, anxiety and mental health impacts of the ICU environment through increased communication, heartfelt gesture, and an innovative electronic diary program provided by university-student volunteers.
At the heart of the ICU Bridge Program is a team of university-student volunteers who work from 8am to midnight, seven days a week at the welcome desk to guide visitors, act as a conduit to communicate concerns to the ICU medical team, provide snacks and water, keep young children company as their parents enter the ICU, or simply lend a sympathetic ear.
A second key aspect of the ICU Bridge Program helps patients and their families restore or provide accurate memories of what went on in the ICU through the use of an electronic diary. Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) affects some 50 percent of patients and their families and can make it difficult to recall the ICU stay and distinguish between what was real and what was not.
The ICU Bridge Program adds a friendly face and has been making a world of difference in humanizing the ICU experience, putting patient care and caring volunteers at the centre of what is an intense experience in the intensive care unit.
DREAMLAND - The DREAM Project
The purpose of the game is to reduce pain and anxiety
The DREAM team has created a virtual reality video game called DREAMLAND to reduce pain and anxiety in children undergoing a painful procedure. It has made a real difference in the experience of young patients and their families.



Left to right: David Paquin, Ph.D., Sylvie Le May, Ph.D., and Dr. Jean-Simon Fortin
The DREAM Project team – researchers David Paquin, Ph.D., Sylvie Le May, Ph.D., and Dr. Jean-Simon Fortin – designs technological solutions to reduce pain and anxiety in children who have to undergo a painful medical procedure. By transforming procedures that are already stressful and painful into positive care episodes, the three experts have been tangibly improving the experience of young patients and their families during their hospital stay.
The team created DREAMLAND, one of the first virtual reality video games aimed at reducing procedural pain and anxiety.
Every year, over 20,000 children undergo painful procedures at CHU Sainte-Justine’s mother and child centre in Montreal. Previously, pain management for children consisted primarily of drug administration or no intervention at all, and few non-pharmacological options were available.
DREAMLAND harnesses the power of distraction to manage pain and anxiety. By redirecting the patient’s attention to an imaginary world, the video game helps reduce the player’s pain and anxiety. Each aspect of the game has been carefully crafted to provide continuous distraction. This non-violent game is suitable for children seven years of age and older. It can also evolve to adapt in real time to older or more experienced players.
Preliminary results indicate a decrease in anxiety in 80% of young patients who played DREAMLAND. Pain decreased in 50% of cases and disappeared completely in 30% of young player-patients. The DREAM team’s approach to pain has a direct impact on pediatric patients as it helps reduce the pain felt during different interventions. This could result in improved diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and patient/family care experience.
Mount Sinai Tele-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Tele-pulmonary rehabilitation connects COPD patients to optimal care
The Mount Sinai Tele-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is increasing access to this much needed service for patients in Quebec with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A specialized interdisciplinary team of a respirologist, COPD nurse, respiratory therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian and occupational therapist support patients at regional hospital sites through the use of technology.

Top row, from left to right: Yujie Hu, COPD Nurse; Dr Nathalie Saad, Respirologist and Program Director; Maria Stathatos, Physiotherapist. Bottom row, from left to right: Albert Sicondolfo, Project Manager; Barbara Panayotidis, Dietitian; Martin Bienvenue, Respiratory therapist. Missing: Nacera Hamiane, Respiratory therapist.
The Mount Sinai Hospital’s Tele-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is increasing access to this much needed, and guideline-recommended, service across Quebec for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Taking advantage of RUIS (Réseaux Universitaires Intégrés de Santé), McGill’s secure video-conferencing system and REACTS (Remote Education, Augmented Communication, Training and Supervision) platform, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at regional hospital sites are granted access to Mount Sinai Hospital’s specialized interdisciplinary team which includes a respirologist, COPD nurse, respiratory therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian and occupational therapist. This allows patients with COPD across Quebec to benefit from the specialized interdisciplinary team while at the same time reducing patient travel and minimizing costs for its partner sites.
Since being launched in January 2017, over 400 patients from nine sites have participated in the tele-pulmonary rehabilitation program. Of these patients, 87 percent have completed the program. Assessments of patient progress have shown that participants experience improvements in a variety of measures. Two additional hospital sites are expected to join the program in 2020.
Mount Sinai is optimizing use of the provincial tele-health system. With 9 sites, Mount Sinai Hospital is fast becoming the best way to create new pulmonary rehabilitation programs in the province, improving accessibility to pulmonary rehabilitation with minimal cost. They are putting patients first in this front-line, technology enabled initiative.
Atlantic Canada
Clinical Supervision Model for Children/Youth - Peninsula Clinical Consultation Team
Teamwork is key to planning clinical supervision for youth with complex difficulties.
In the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick, an innovative partnership was developed between the Social Development Department’s child welfare services and the Vitalité Health Network’s Child/Youth Mental Health Services, to better help youth with complex needs and their families. The partnership has led to the development of the Clinical Supervision Model, which provides for, among other things, a tailored Clinical Consultation Team (CCT) created for individual youth with complex needs being placed in foster care or therapeutic facilities in the Acadian Peninsula. One of the special features of these CCTs is that the youth themselves and their biological parents are involved and consulted regularly. Data collected in recent years confirm that the Clinical Supervision Model has yielded significant results in addressing the needs of children with complex needs and their families.

ANDRÉ GIONET, Social Worker Child & Youth Team Manager, Community Mental Health Center, Vitalité Health Network, Acadian peninsula

DANIÈLE LOUBIER, Mental Health Psychologist, Child & Youth Team, Community Mental Health Centre, Vitalité Health Network, Acadian peninsula

SONIA FERGUSON, Social Worker, Clinical Specialist, Child Welfare, Department of Social Development, Acadian peninsula

RENO LEBOUTHILLIER, Social Worker, Program Manager, Department of Social Development, Acadian peninsula

STÉPHANE NOËL, Psychologist, Child Welfare, Department of Social Development, Acadian peninsula
In the Acadian Peninsula, in northern New Brunswick, an innovative partnership has unfolded between a clinical social worker, a child welfare psychologist from the Social Development Department (SDD), and a psychologist for the Vitalité Health Network’s Children/Youth Mental Health Services. They have drawn on best practices to develop an operational clinical model that provides optimal responses to the needs of children with complex difficulties such as trauma, mental health problems, attachment issues and more. The model is relevant for clients in foster care as well as in therapeutic facilities that serve children and youth with complex difficulties. The Clinical Supervision Model provides different approaches and initiatives to address the dynamics associated with children’s complex needs. The model’s crowning achievement, however, is the development of the Clinical Consultation Team (CCT) concept. CCT intervention begins when youth are placed in foster care or in a therapeutic facility. Their needs, characteristics and challenges are clearly identified and recognized. The CCT meets regularly throughout the youth’s placement, and plans out the youth’s return to his or her family or transfer to another resource. If the youth is hospitalized outside of his or her region or admitted to an external resource for evaluation, the CCT will also oversee the youth’s return to a resource in his or her own community. Youth are given a seat at the table and, when capable, they can share their own impressions and perceptions of the results of the strategies and interventions aimed at achieving their optimal recovery.
In 2019, the results of a study on the Clinical Supervision Model’s performance showed a significant decrease in police interventions, involvement with the justice system, hospitalizations for psychiatric issues and ambulance use. Parents and youth support networks have indicated that the CCTs make them feel valued, involved, understood and included. Thanks to the Clinical Supervision Model developed in the Acadian Peninsula, more youth are able to stay in their community, with the support they need.
Building Capacity to Reduce Restrictive Practices - Adult Neurodevelopmental Stabilization Unit, NSHA
Neurodevelopment team is putting the brakes on restraints
A team at the Adult Neurodevelopment Stabilization Unit at the Nova Scotia Health Authority has developed a program that is reducing restrictive practices and helping clients learn and modify future behaviour that enhances their overall quality of life. They are putting patients first through proactive prevention and intervening in the least intrusive manner possible.

Top row, left to right: Dr. Alaba Williams, Staff Psychiatrist; Dr. Mutiat Sulyman, Psychiatrist and Clinical Academic Leader
Middle row, left to right: Adeola Adebayo, Charge Nurse; Oluseye Akinkunmi, Health Services Manager
Bottom row, left to right: Some of ANSU team members; Nicole Robinson, Board Certified Behavior Analyst; Melissa Muise, Recreation Therapist
A team at the Adult Neurodevelopment Stabilization Unit at the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) has developed a program that has proven to reduce restrictive practices and is helping clients learn and modify future behaviour that ultimately enhances their overall quality of life. The program is putting patients first in meaningful ways.
There is an increased likelihood of receiving restrictive practices for clients experiencing a mental health crisis or those with complex behaviour and intellectual disability. When alternative behaviour management practices exist to reduce the frequency and duration of restraint and restrictive practices, these interventions should be implemented.
The NSHA Adult Neurodevelopment Stabilization Unit has successfully innovated a new standard of care that is being shared with other community agencies. They are creating a shift of cultural awareness from reactive responding to a more proactive preventative approach and getting results based on team education, applications of the NSHA Least Restraint Policy and the development of functional behaviour assessments and treatment plans.
Staff are better prepared when challenging behaviour occurs and have the capacity to teach clients adaptive skills. The Stabilization Team have become better observers of lower levels of escalation and are able to intervene earlier so the need for more intrusive treatment is reduced.
Reports show a significant reduction in the use of restraints, including chemical restraints, and improvements in quality of life as demonstrated by access to community, improved structure and routine. Patients have increased community access and encouragement from their families to participate in activities. Increased advocacy and increased staff engagement have also occurred ensuring the best practices identified become the usual practices in the facilities.
The Adult Neurodevelopment Stabilization Unit at NSHA is a model for putting patients first through proactive prevention and intervening in the least intrusive manner possible.
Some of the 2017/18 winners included:
WINNERS’ STORYBOOK (2018)Ontario
Ajax Harwood Clinic
For the Ajax Harwood Clinic in Ajax, Ontario, healthcare is much more than a doctor’s appointment
The clinic (https://ajaxharwoodclinicblog.wordpress.com) delivers accessible, inclusive and sustainable patient-centred care through collaboration, innovation and empowerment of patients, caregivers and learners.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Family Leadership Program ensures care is patient-centred
The Family Leadership Program at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, ON, (https://www.hollandbloorview.ca) enables children, youth and families to co-design: governance and policy frameworks; programs and services; and, research that advances patient and family-centred care.

Dr. Les Kalman
Dental program is something to smile about
Dr. Les Kalman, Assistant Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in London, Ontario, is leading a volunteer-based program that provides free dentistry to those with minimal economic means. Many patients in southwestern Ontario can smile again because of Dr. Kalman’s passion and dedication to patient-centred care. Dr. Kalman and the DOCS program (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/about/community_programs/docs.html) are privileged to have the generous support from all the amazing volunteers!

Quebec
Mr. Alexandre Chagnon
Québec-based pharmacist Alexandre Chagnon is the founder of askyourpharmacist.ca, a secure website where patients can obtain free, reliable advice about their health and medications.

Dr. Tarek Hijal, Dr. John Kildea and Prof. Laurie Hendren
Opal connects oncology patients, caregivers and each other
Opal (http://www.opalmedapps.com/), the brainchild of Dr. Tarek Hijal, Dr. John Kildea and Prof. Laurie Hendren, empowers and informs oncology patients at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, QC, allowing patients to access to their medical file, personalized educational material, appointment schedules and more.

The Merck Patients First Awards and the innovations and innovators they honour will contribute to an improved health care system by recognizing patient-centred care as a priority.


