National Nursing Week - Wrap Up 2024

“As a nurse, I am very proud to be part of an incredibly committed team who impress me every day with their dedication to ‘Changing Lives and Shaping Tomorrow'!"

Rachel de Kemp,
Director, Nursing, Perley Health

Nursing Week 2024 was a special celebration for our community, as staff were invited to participate in Perley Health's Nursing Week celebration events from May 6-10. The Perley Health Nursing Week Committee worked hard to organize and facilitate a wide range of meaningful activities that highlighted the incredible work of our dedicated teams as a “thank you” for all that they do. A very special thank you to Heather Fletcher (Administrative Assistant, Directors). She went above and beyond every day to ensure everything ran smoothly and helped make this year's Nursing Week a success.

We'd like to recognize Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) for their donation of prizes for nurses, and CUPE for their generous support towards making nursing week a truly exciting event. Thank you.

Our community was treated to: 

  • Games, including our wonderful new magic tables (thank you to Danielle Cruise - Research Assistant) were available, as well as other games and quizzes for staff to take part in for a chance to win prizes all week long, including our big draw on Friday for a day off with pay!
    Special thanks to those who sponsored or donated prizes:
      • ONA
      • CUPE
      • Dunrobin Distillery
      • Demarco Construction
      • Gabriel's Pizza
      • Ottawa Red Blacks
      • Stephanie Kim (Manager, Resident Care); Her father's hand made cheese boards
      • Daniela Acosta (Manager, Education & Knowledge Translation)
  • Many treats were available throughout the week:
    • Candy grams were delivered throughout the week allowing staff to thank their peers with a sweet gesture. Thank you to those who helped sell and distribute.
    • Custom Perley Health swag was available to staff in the form of a measuring tape and note pad
    • Candy bowls were put out for staff to enjoy
    • Le Donut Stop Truck was on site with hot and fresh donuts
    • Le Moulin de Provence baked up some delicious custom Perley Health cookies

  • Huge thank you to Alanah Hazelwood (Manager, Food and Nutrition/Housekeeping), and her incredible Food and Nutrition team for all the fantastic food that was enjoyed all week long.
    • Coffee, Tea, and muffins were available multiple times during the week across all shifts
    • Cupcakes!
    • Staff were treated to a free slice of pizza on Thursday, hand-made right here in the Perley Health kitchen. Approximately 60 pizzas were made that day! For staff on night shifts the team was able to make specials cannelloni meals

  • Many members from our Perley Health community took time out of their days to deliver some educational seminars all week long.
    • Thank you; Dr. Aileen Comerton, Susan Shea (Nurse Practitioner Lead), Dr. Michele Raymond, Rachel de Kemp (Director, Nursing), Dustin Bilson (Talent Acquisition Specialist), Daniela Acosta (Manager, Education & Knowledge Translation), and Gail Christy (Perley Health Resident) for enriching this week with your wisdom.
    • Thank you to IPAC's Alexandra Heika (Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator) for leading hand hygiene walk and talks all week with support from Samantha Boulerice (IPAC Specialist) and Tania Paolini (Manager, Infection Prevention & Control).
    • Additional thank you to Jared Gaudet (Administrative Assistant, Education) for organizing the seminars behind the scenes.

  • Speaking of education; many staff achievements were on display in the cafeteria in the form of our recognition board. Staff who had education in their field, or advanced their careers through education were on display. Congratulations on their achievements over the last year as well as to the mentors and preceptors who share their valuable insights with their peers.

  • Thank you to Certified Athletic Therapist, Valerie, for coming on-site to provide compression sock fittings for our hard working staffs legs.

  • Many thanks to the staff on our housekeeping team who are always there to help setup and take down multiple areas throughout the week and keep Perley Health looking it's best.

  • Thanks to Meg O'Connell (Senior Communications Specialist), for keeping staff informed on events throughout the week, and announcing prize winners. As well, thank you to Tom Lilly (Senior Branding and Communications Specialist) for his help with visual communications on TVs and signage, and putting together the recognition board.

Nursing Week 2024 was a special celebration for our community, as staff were invited to participate in Perley Health's Nursing Week celebration events from May 6-10. The Perley Health Nursing Week Committee worked hard to organize and facilitate a wide range of meaningful activities that highlighted the incredible work of our dedicated teams as a “thank you” for all that they do.