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National Volunteer Awards


CHS honours VOLUNTEERS

At the CHS Awards Banquet, held May 28 in Calgary, in conjunction with Rendez-vous 2011, the CHS recognized dedicated volunteers, staff and health care providers who made a significant contribution to the bleeding disorder community.



The CHS National Awards Program has become a biennial program, with awards presented every two years in May at the Rendez-vous joint meeting hosted by the CHS and the four health care groups. The next deadline for submitting nominations is January 31, 2013.

Nomination Forms

National Awards Nomination Form

To be used for the following awards:
Frank Schnabel, Honourary Life Membership, Chapter Leadership, Exceptional Service, International Contribution, Dr. Cecil Harris, Award of Appreciation and Pierre Latreille Award


Frank Schnabel Award

This award was initiated to honour the outstanding service of Frank Schnabel, the founder of the Canadian Hemophilia Society, for his valued  role in the growth and development of the CHS, the education and care of people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, and the education of the public regarding the needs of the bleeding disorders community. The award is presented in his name to honour a volunteer at the national level of the CHS, who, over a number of years, has rendered distinguished services and noteworthy contributions to the mission and objective of the CHS at the national level.

Previous recipients:
2006 - Eric Stolte
2004 - Pam Wilton
2003 - Tom Alloway, Ph.D.
2002 - Bill Mindell
2001 - Michael McCarthy
1999 - Barry Isaac, Ph.D.
1998 - Erma Chapman
1997 - John Plater
1997 - Ken Little
1996 - Durhane Wong-Rieger, Ph.D.
1994 - Frank Bott
1992 - David Page
1991 - Peter Wachter



Honorary Life Membership Award

This award is the highest category of National Awards and is based on exceptional leadership and devotion to the CHS over many years.  This award is given to an individual who has merited special recognition for outstanding efforts, at the national level, to further the mission and objectives of the CHS and the development of public recognition of the CHS and its goals.

2011 RECIPIENT  |  DR. BRUCE RITCHIE

   
    Dr. Bruce Ritchie is the clinic director of the Edmonton Comprehensive Centre for Bleeding Disorders. He is a dedicated physician whose care far exceeds the expectations of any patient. He is also passionate about his research and his list of accomplishments is lengthy. Dr. Ritchie has been a dedicated volunteer with the CHS for more than a decade. He served as MSAC chair from 2003-2009 and continues to be the medical advisor to the CHS Board of Directors. Bruce is always humble and readily shares his knowledge and offers guidance at the board table. Over the years he has been involved with many CHS committees including Blood Safety, the Emergency Department Advisory Group, and the Network of Rare Blood Disorders (NRBDO).
    In 2006, the CHS recognized Dr. Ritchie’s remarkable contributions and awarded him the Dr. Cecil Harris Award which was presented to him upon his return from South Africa where he shared his CHARMS expertise and provided medical guidance as part of the CHS – South African Haemophilia Foundation twinning partnership.
In 2009, the CHS needed an expert witness at the Freeman hearing and Dr. Ritchie generously agreed to help. He spent weeks preparing his report and giving his testimony because he believed it was the right thing to do for the CHS and for all Canadians.
    In the past five years his efforts to promote and support the Network of Rare Blood Disorders deserve special mention. He is truly a champion for those suffering with these very rare conditions. He helped to plan and organize two major conferences held in 2006 and 2009.
    Dr. Ritchie has been an outstanding CHS volunteer and is associated very closely with work that moves our mission forward. His dedication to this work has helped the CHS to achieve the high standard of excellence we are known for throughout Canada and the world.
    Bruce never says “no” because he sincerely believes in our mission. He never says “no” because he is indeed a true friend to the CHS.

Previous recipients:
2008 - Tom Alloway, Ph.D.
2004 - John Plater
2002 - Frank Bott
1997 - James Kreppner
1997 - Durhane Wong-Rieger, Ph.D.
1996 - Pierre Fournier
1995 - David Page
1994 - John (Jack) McDonald, Ph.D.
1991 - Elaine Woloschuk



International Contribution Award

This award is presented in recognition of a volunteer who, through continuing efforts over a number of years, has made a significant international contribution to the development of care and services for people with bleeding disorders.   

2011 RECIPIENT  |  KATHY MULDER, PT


    Kathy Mulder began her work in hemophilia care in Winnipeg, in 1974, where she first worked in the adult program and later transferred to the Children’s Hospital. Her experience and knowledge is vast. For more than a quarter-century, Kathy has contributed to many successful CHS projects and served as chair of the Canadian Physiotherapists in Hemophilia Care (CPHC) where she provided strong leadership and set a solid example, to which many aspire.
    In a world where seventy percent of people with hemophilia do not have access to replacement products, physiotherapy is especially important. Kathy understands this and works relentlessly to teach patients, as well as health care providers, how to manage bleeding, limit destruction of joints and improve rehabilitation. Kathy has utilized her skills and knowledge to help hundreds around the world. She has served on the WFH Musculoskeletal Committee for more than a decade and was chair from 2004 to 2007. Her name appears on several WFH publications and tools and she has been instrumental in planning and implementing many of the WFH musculoskeletal workshops.
    Kathy has travelled to many countries as a WFH volunteer to share her knowledge and skills on the front lines of care. In 2010, because of her past experience with the Egyptian Hemophilia Society (EHS), she accepted to join the CHS/EHS twinning group and worked very hard through the fall of that year to prepare for a very successful assessment visit in December.
    Over many years Kathy has made an outstanding international contribution to the development of care and services for people with inherited bleeding disorders.

Previous recipients:
2008 - Dr. Brian Luke
2007 - David Page
2006 - Dr. Man-Chiu Poon






Exceptional Service Award

This award is presented in recognition of an individual or organization who, through exceptional service over a number of years, has contributed to the growth and development of the mission of the CHS at the national level.  

Previous Recipients:
2007 - Patricia Stewart
2006 - Ian DeAbreu
2005 - Sheila Comerford
2005 - Lorie Reznik, Canadian Blood Agency



Dr. Cecil Harris Award

This award was initiated to honour the outstanding contribution of Dr.Cecil Harris, the first medical advisor of the CHS. This award is presented to a physician in recognition of distinguished contributions in the areas of research or the advancement of the care of patients with hemophilia or other inherited bleeding disorders. It is preferable that only one physician be recognized in a given year, unless exceptional circumstances require special consideration.

Previous recipients:
2007 - Dr. Mary Frances Scully
2006 - Dr. Bruce Ritchie
2005 - Dr. Victor Blanchette
2004 - Dr. Sara Israels
2003 - Dr. Hanna Strawczynski
2002 - Dr. Robert Card
2002 - Dr. Mohan Pai
2001 - Dr. John Akabutu
2000 - Dr. Gerry Growe
1999 - Dr. David Lillicrap
1998 - Dr. Irwin Walker
1997 - Dr. Georges-Étienne Rivard
1996 - Dr. Martin Inwood
1995 - Dr. Ken Shumack
1992 - Dr. Man-Chiu Poon
1991 - Dr. Kaiser Ali



Award of Appreciation

This award honours an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the care of people with inherited bleeding disorders over and above their responsibilities as a member of the hemophilia health care team. This person must have worked with patients with hemophilia and their families for a minimum of 5 years. Preference will be given to an individual whose work has contributed to improving care and treatment on a national level through the CHS. It is preferable that there be only one recipient from a category. This award will be limited to a maximum of 2 individuals in a given year, unless exceptional circumstances require special consideration.  

2011 RECIPIENTS
SUZANNE DOUESNARD, psychologist

   
    Suzanne Douesnard received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Montréal in 1974. She began her career in general pediatrics at Sainte-Justine Hospital and then joined the specialized pediatrics department in the area of hematology/oncology. Her work in the area of critical diseases prepared her for her role during the tainted blood tragedy.
    Since 2004, Suzanne’s involvement with the CHS has increased through her participation in several chapter and national workshops. She was a presenter at the 1st New Team workshop, participated as a facilitator at various Family Inhibitor workshops and at the Living with a Rare Bleeding Disorder workshop.
    Suzanne was one of the authors of the chapter, Growing with Hemophilia in the second edition of All About Hemophilia: a Guide for Families. Suzanne has been involved with the hemophilia treatment team at Sainte-Justine Hospital for close to three decades. She has always demonstrated a desire to share her knowledge and expertise with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
    She is committed to harmonizing the activities of the different professionals in contact with patients to work towards a common goal for the patient and provide more effective help.
    Suzanne’s contribution in the field of psychology of patients with bleeding disorders has been highly appreciated by her colleagues and she has been a great support to countless Quebec families who are living with hemophilia.


LUCIE LACASSE, RN
   

    Lucie started her career in hemophilia nursing in 1988 and has been the nurse coordinator at the Regional Comprehensive Care Centre for Hemophilia and Hemostasis in Ottawa for over 20 years. She is a kind, compassionate individual who always puts the well-being of patients and families first, and who also finds the time to contribute to educational initiatives and to participate in research targeted at improving knowledge in the field of inherited bleeding disorders.
    Over the years, Lucie has been involved with many CHS educational projects. She was a key member of the group of hemophilia nurses who developed the children’s resource, The Bleed Stops Here. She has been a member of the CHS Emergency Department Advisory Group since 2001 and currently serves as co-chair. She was also one of the authors of the manual on Emergency Care for Patients with von Willebrand disease. Lucie participated on the Planning Committee for the 2009 CHS Medical Symposium and cochaired a session. More recently she has taken a special interest in the issue of aging with a bleeding disorder and is a member of the CHS working group on aging.
    Lucie has volunteered her time and expertise to the Ottawa region of Hemophilia Ontario by participating in chapter activities, giving educational presentations at chapter events and by being involved with Camp Wanakita.
    Lucie has served as a member of the CANHC Executive. She has contributed to the present level of professionalism within CANHC and spearheaded the development of the CANHC Constitution. She also ensures that new nurses to hemophilia remain aware of the devastation of HIV and HCV.
Lucie is an outstanding nurse and for over 20 years has served the community with distinction.
 
Previous recipients:
2008 - Anne Marie Stain, RN
2008 - Linda Waterhouse, RSW
2007 - Claudine Amesse, RN
2007 - Greig Blamey, PT
2006 - Dorine Belliveau, RN
2006 - Ruanna Jones, RSW
2005 - Sylvie Lacroix, RN
2005 - Nichan Zourikian, PT
2004 - Jenny Aikenhead, PT
2004 - Rose Jacobson, RN
2004 - Jennifer Crump, RN
2004 - Michelle Hendry, Lab Tech
2003 - Sherry Purcell, RN
2003 - Pam Hilliard, PT
2002 - Maureen Brownlow, RSW
2002 - Julia Sek, RN
2001 - Kathy Mulder, PT
2001 - Wilma McClure, RN
2000 - Betty Ann Paradis, RN
1999 - Nora Schwetz, RN
1998 - Ann Harrington, RN
1998 - Jane Neil, PT
1997 - Lois Lindner, RN
1997 - Muriel Girard, RN
1996 - John (Jack) McDonald, Ph.D., RSW
1996 - Brenda Blair, RN
1995 - Lorraine Bernier, RN



Chapter Leadership Award

This award is given to an individual who has merited special national recognition for outstanding efforts to further the growth and development of a particular chapter. Among the criteria to be considered in making this award are the following:

• exceptional leadership and devotion at the chapter level over
  a minimum period of 5 years
• clearly identifiable achievements that have contributed to the
  development and growth of the chapter in an outstanding and   significant way (e.g. fundraising, program and services,
  volunteer recruitment and membership growth)
 
In making a nomination, consider who has made the greatest contribution to the development of the chapter over its history and who meets the criteria set out above. This does not preclude someone who has also made a contribution at the national level, but the focus of  this award is on achievements on behalf of the chapter. The award can be made posthumously.

2011 RECIPIENT  |  HELEN GIBSON
Hemophilia Ontario - NEOR

   
    From the earliest days in the ‘60s, the Gibson family established a hemophilia presence in the Sudbury area of North Eastern Ontario. Helen and her husband Harry, with their son Robert, were key people who became involved in the early efforts to obtain compensation and treatment for those infected by HIV.
    Helen was the founding member and served as chair of the Sudbury North Eastern Ontario Region for many years. She was instrumental in establishing the hemophilia clinic at the Sudbury hospital and was active in identifying “bleeders” in the Sudbury and North Eastern Region. She went on to serve on the Hemophilia Ontario Board for many years. She dedicated her life to hemophilia and, even after her son Robert passed away, she continued her work. She has made an outstanding contribution towards furthering the growth and development of the North Eastern Ontario Region.

Previous recipients:
2008 - Jeff Beck
2007 - Dan Doran
2006 - Norman Locke
2005 - Christine Keilback
2004 - François Laroche
2003 - James (Jimmy) Love (in memoriam)
2001 - Eric Stolte and Craig Wright (in memoriam)
1999 - Lois Bedard, Joyce Rosenthal
1998 - Normand Landry




Pierre Latreille Award

This award was initiated in memory of Pierre Latreille who was the CHS Finance Manager for many years.  This award for excellence is given to an employee of the CHS who has worked at the national, provincial or regional level for a minimum of 5 years. The recipient is expected to have demonstrated skills, dedication and accomplishments beyond the normal duties of an employee. The recipient should meet the following criteria which are based on qualities demonstrated by Pierre:
• Personal character and values: a person with a positive caring and supportive attitude towards volunteers and other staff 
• A sense of teamwork: a person who is a reliable team player, dependable and co-operative – one who contributes to team success.
• A focus on the needs of people with bleeding disorders: a staff member committed to serving the organization with excellence, creativity and efficiency.

2011 RECIPIENT  |  GENEVIÈVE BEAUREGARD

   
    Geneviève has been the program coordinator for the Quebec Chapter (CHSQ) for the past seven years. The confidence of the chapter in “Genny” has only increased over the years.
    Geneviève became the guiding force for the chapter during a challenging period. She stepped in to provide leadership and not once hesitated to go beyond the normal duties of an employee. While functioning without an executive director, Geneviève’s dedication was once again demonstrated as she helped the CHSQ maintain control and keep the organization on track. It is extremely difficult to imagine where the Quebec Chapter would be today if Geneviève had not been there during those difficult years. Geneviève has worked tirelessly to deliver programs and to coordinate major fundraising events. Dance for Life, the Quebec Chapter’s major fundraising event for the past several years, has been entirely her initiative.
    Today, Geneviève’s responsibilities have increased significantly and she continues to play a crucial role in the organization. She is a likeable, humble, devoted and empathetic person who is loved by all: the members, volunteers, staff and partners. She has demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication.

Previous recipients:
2006 - Aline Ostrowski
2005 - Joyce Argall
2004 - Karen Olson
2003 - Jane Bishop
2002 - Robert St-Pierre
2001 - Clare Cecchini
2000 - Hélène Bourgaize




Chapter Recognition Award

This award is designed to recognize chapters and regions who have demonstrated a significant achievement over the preceding year (or  years) in one or more specific areas such as fundraising, communications, peer support/education, advocacy or chapter development.

 
2011 RECIPIENT  |  MANITOBA CHAPTER
Volunteer Development



    In 2008, the Manitoba Chapter identified the development of the volunteer base as a priority in the chapter’s strategic planning process. The chapter had reduced staff from four positions to one part-time position as a result of the economic situation at that time. It was imperative that if the chapter was to continue to offer services and programming, volunteers would be doing the work.
    To meet the challenge, the Volunteer Committee was created with the mandate to develop policies and guidelines to recruit and manage volunteers. The Volunteer Committee’s activities succeeded in making it easier to develop and recruit volunteers into chapter leadership positions.
    Volunteer training and development has increased volunteer skills and helped standardize committee work, allowing volunteers to move easily between committees. As a result of these efforts, in 2010, Manitoba Chapter volunteers logged 1,227 working hours – the equivalent of having a paid staff, 23 hours a week!
 
Previous recipients:
2008 - New Brunswick Chapter - Chapter Development
2007 - Prince Edward Island Chapter - Public Awareness
2006 - Nova Scotia Chapter - Communications and Chapter Development
2006 - Newfoundland & Labrador Chapter - Public Awareness
2005 - Quebec Chapter - Patient Services and Advocacy
2005 - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter - Public
Awareness and Communications
2004 - Alberta Chapter - Chapter Development
2004 - Manitoba Chapter - Advocacy and Diversification of Funding
2003 - British Columbia Chapter - Fundraising
2002 - Hemophilia Ontario - Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Region – Fundraising
2001 - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter – Advocacy
2001 - Alberta Chapter – Education
2000 - Hemophilia Saskatchewan – Advocacy
1999 - Quebec Chapter – Fundraising
1998 - Quebec Chapter – Advocacy
1998 - Toronto and Central Ontario Region - Outreach to people with VWD
1997 - Manitoba Chapter – Education (Rural Outreach)
1997 - Hemophilia Ontario – Communications
1997 - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter – Fundraising
1996 - Nova Scotia Chapter – Advocacy
1996 - Quebec Chapter – Advocacy
1996 - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter - Chapter Development
1996 - Hemophilia Ontario, Central West Ontario Region Education & Outreach
1995 - Prince Edward Island Chapter – Advocacy
1995 - Hemophilia Ontario -Youth Activities


National Outstanding Achievement Award

This award is presented in recognition of a volunteer who has been with the national organization five years or less and has made a significant contribution towards furthering the mission of the CHS at the national level.

2011 RECIPIENT  |  MAXIME LACASSE GERMAIN

   
    Maxime became involved with the CHS National Youth Committee in 2008 as one of the Quebec youth members. In the few years he has been involved, he has demonstrated maturity and leadership and has been instrumental in the implementation of many programs. After only six months on the CHS Youth Committee, he was elected cochair of the committee. Under his leadership, the National Youth Committee has organized two leadership workshops as well as a Drive Your Care/Drive Your Car event in Montreal.  Maxime is currently leading a nation-wide youth swim-athon fundraising event which will be piloted in Montreal in 2011.
    Maxime was a recipient of the 2010 Karttik Shah Fellowship which allowed him to attend the WFH Congress in Argentina. He took advantage of this opportunity to network with youth from all over the world. He continues to stay in touch with them and acts as the liaison person between the Canadian and international youth community with bleeding disorders.
    In addition to his contribution at the national level, Maxime is also involved at the Quebec Chapter where he participated in the restructuring of its summer camp program and has volunteered as camp director.
    For the past two years, Maxime has been a member of both the CHS national and Quebec Chapter Board of Directors. Maxime has demonstrated commitment, confidence, and maturity despite his young age. Volunteering and helping others are an important part of his life and he is currently developing into an outstanding future leader of the organization. He is a very worthy first recipient of this new CHS award.