The Children's healthcare professionals pride themselves in going above and beyond for our patients and their parents. During challenging times, like the last 18 months, these efforts are even more special.

It is with pride and gratitude, therefore, that The Children's Foundation presented its 22nd Awards of Excellence to Hospital staff who contribute every day to the wellbeing of patients and their families through their actions, team spirit and dedication.

Presented by TD Bank Group, the virtual Awards ceremony on October 27 celebrated the honourees’ exceptional work in helping The Children’s find Unexpected Ways to Heal and getting their young patients back on their feet. The Award recipients were nominated and selected by their peers.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our valued partners, National Bank and Pfizer Canada, for making these awards possible. Thanks to their generous support, sick children in Quebec can regain their fighting spirit.

Congratulations to all!

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners 

Winners

• Maia Aziz, recipient of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Professional Staff Award of Excellence
• Dr. Margaret Berry, recipient of the National Bank Medical Award of Excellence
• Mary Pauline Espinosa, recipient of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Nursing Award of Excellence
• Dr. Indra Gupta, recipient of the Pfizer Research Award of Excellence
• Bernard Riel, recipient of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Administrative and Clinical Support Staff Award of Excellence
• Complex Care Service Team, recipient of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Teamwork Award of Excellence

Maia Aziz
Recipient of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation Professional Staff Award of Excellence

Maia has built a reputation as a woman of action. As head of Allied Health Services at The Children's, she possesses the rare gift of tackling the responsibilities associated with high-level management with humour, compassion and empathy. Her humane, transparent, unifying and visionary leadership successfully united 13 departments with over 210 professionals through an unprecedented global health crisis.

"What touches me the most is the thoughtfulness with which patient- and family-centered care and services are delivered at The Children's. It's not the work of one person; it's the spirit that drives all of our teams here." - Maia Aziz

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners 

Dr. Margaret Berry
Recipient of the National Bank Medical Award of Excellence

Dr. Margaret Berry, a member of The Children's Northern Health Program, has been practicing pediatrics for 40 years and spends one week a month in Quebec’s northern villages of Nunavik. Her mission is to ensure the health and well-being of thousands of newborns, children, adolescents and pregnant women. Dr. Berry provides clinical and innovative care to 22 First Nations communities. Hers is a model of respectful and culturally sensitive care.

"I'm really happy. I thank my colleagues for nominating me for this wonderful award. When I started this work, I didn't think I would receive such recognition" - Dr. Margaret Berry

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners 

Mary Pauline Espinosa
Recipient of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation Nursing Award of Excellence

Mary Pauline Espinosa has been a nurse for 42 years. From the very beginning, she understood that being a nurse is much more than just a job; it is about caring for children and families. Prior to her recent retirement, she worked in the Hemodialysis and Apheresis Unit as an assistant head nurse, where ensuring the comfort of her young patients was her greatest challenge.

"When you see a stressed parent and understand their fear, when you find the best way to support them, you connect with the family. I know then that I am giving optimal care, to the child and to the family."- Mary Pauline Espinosa

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners 

Dr. Indra Gupta
Recipient of the Pfizer Research Award of Excellence

Dr. Gupta is the embodiment of a dedicated and respected clinician-scientist. She is currently Acting Director of Child Health Research at The Children's/ MUHC and of The Children’s Division of Nephrology, as well as Acting Associate Director of the Research Institute of the MUHC. Moreover, her clinical research program has trained the next generation of scientists. An outstanding leader, Dr. Gupta pursues her research excellence with humility, integrity and inclusion.

"In research, when something works, we are elated. We have found something that can be developed further. We live for those rare moments." - Dr. Indra Gupta

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners 

Bernard Riel
Recipient of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation Administrative and Clinical Support Staff Award of Excellence

With 35 years of experience in a hospital setting, including 24 years at The Children's, Bernard Riel speaks of his work with enthusiasm and conviction. Even in retirement, he never hesitates to lend a hand whenever his medical unit needs help. His exceptional skills were particularly important during the Hospital's move to the Glen site in 2015. The thing Bernard enjoys most is giving stressed parents the support they need.

"Seeing the stress and, at times, the distress of parents who are facing this situation is something I saw almost every day. I wanted to do everything I could to help them." - Bernard Riel

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners 

Complex Care Service Team
Recipients of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation Teamwork Award of Excellence

More than 3,000 vulnerable children with a high degree of medical complexity visit the Complex Care Service each year. Many depend on cutting-edge equipment to survive, and managing this equipment at home can be daunting for parents. However, they can depend on this front-line team, which works tirelessly to ensure that these patients transition safely and efficiently from hospital to home. Collaboration, support and commitment: there are no better words to describe this exemplary team.

"We work together to ensure that every child on our service continues to receive the comprehensive care they need. Each member of our team is a Champion of resilience and problem solving." - The Complex Care Service Team

*Absent in the photo: Emilie Cadorette, Anne Lachance, Antoinette Lemieux, Jenilee Napoleon and Michelle Parizeault

Read more in the Chez Nous Special Edition: Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners