Awards and Accolades

Gold Level - Excellence Canada - 2017
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is proud to announce it has been recognized by Excellence Canada for its commitment to wellness in the workplace.

Excellence Canada, an independent, not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing organizational performance across Canada, oversees a national recognition program that recognizes organizations from all industries who demonstrate excellence in one of their three standards or frameworks. Ontario Shores earned Gold Level recognition following a review against the Mental Health at Work® Framework.

Read More about this award from Excellence Canada »

Greater Toronto Top 100 Employers - 2017
Ontario Shores has been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers in 2017.

In its 11th year of recognizing employers who foster a culture which creates and maintains a desirable workplace, the Greater Toronto’s Top Employer competition has become a benchmark for organizations striving for excellence.

As part of the evaluation process, the competition considered organizational accomplishments as well as employee remuneration, benefits, the building’s physical space along with programs and services that support and celebrate staff.

Celebrating the Human Spirit Award - CCHL
Ontario Shores is the proud recipient of the 2016 Celebrating the Human Spirit Award from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL). The award honours the meaningful contributions of individuals or teams for acts of caring and compassion that go above and beyond the call of duty, inspire others and have a profound and lasting impact.

Ontario Shores was recognized for our commitment to a recovery-focused environment for patients. The nomination highlighted our Hope for Mental Health Campaign including the HOPE t-shirt, song and music video, our #5in5 series, patient recovery stories showcased in print, digital and video, the lobby re-design, the Recovery Art Show, patient prom and paint night.

Not-for-profit Communications Department of the Year - 2015

In May of 2016 the Ontario Shores Communications and Public Affairs Department was awarded the 2015 Not-for-profit Communications Department of the Year at the IABC/Toronto Ovation Awards.

Greening Health Care Award
Ontario Shores has been recognized with the 2015 Greening Health Care Award. Greening Health Care is the largest program of its kind in North America, helping hospitals work together to lower their energy costs, raise their environmental performance, and contribute to the health and well-being of their communities.

Read more about the Greening Health Award

HIMSS Davies Award for Improved Healthcare
In 2015, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) was named a 2015 recipient of the HIMSS Nicholas E. Davies Enterprise Award for Excellence.

The Davies Award recognizes the outstanding achievement of using health information technology to substantially improve patient outcomes while achieving return on investment. Only organizations that received the HIMSS Stage 6 or 7 designations are eligible for this recognition.

Ontario Shores was the first hospital in Canada and one of 77 organizations in the world to receive this prestigious recognition. This followed closely on the heels of Ontario Shores being awarded the Stage 7 designation for a completely Electronic Medical Record (EMR); the only hospital in Canada to receive this.

Read more about the HIMSS Davies Award for Improved Healthcare

Ontario Shores Receives 2015 Award of Excellence in Mental Health and Quality Improvement
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) has received the 2015 Award of Excellence in Mental Health and Quality Improvement from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL).

Ontario Shores was honoured for the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices through the use of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), including one for the assessment and treatment of schizophrenia.

Read more about the CCHL Award of Excellence Award

LEADing Practice Award for Excellence in Digital Health
Ontario Shores was one of six national recipients of the LEADing Practice Award recognized by Canada Health Infoway and Accreditation Canada in 2015. The award recognizes those who have strengthened clinical practice and improved the patient experience through digital health.

International Awards for Website
Ontario Shores has received international recognition for their work in the website redesign project: Making it Click at ontarioshores.ca.

The organization has been recognized with three awards of distinction from Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC):

• Grand Award (APEX) based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence
• Gold Quill Award of Merit (IABC International) for Communication Management – Electronic, Digital and Interactive Communications
• OvationAward of Merit (IABC Toronto) for Communication Management – Electronic, Digital and Interactive Communications

These awards celebrate excellence in the management of technology-based communication projects and recognize the creation of a new tool that is developed using a full range of planning and communication management skills, including strategy, creativity, consultation, analysis, tactical implementation and evaluation.

Ovation Award of Merit
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is recognized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC Toronto) with an Ovation Award of Merit for the 2010-2011 Annual Report: Answering the Call under the Creative – Publication Design category.

“It is an honour to receive recognition on both regional and international levels,” said Glenna Raymond, President and CEO, Ontario Shores. “Thank you to the patients, families and staff who openly shared their stories of hope for our annual report.”

Business Achievement Award
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) received the 2011 Business Achievement 50 or more Employees Award from the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious award recognizes companies and individuals who have made exemplary achievements in business.

"I want to thank the Whitby Chamber for recognizing the achievements we have made as an organization and I also want to acknowledge all our staff who strive for excellence each and every day," says Glenna Raymond, President and CEO. "It is their hard work and innovation that have made this award possible."

Project Implementation Team of the Year and Project Patient Care Innovation Team of the Year - 2011
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) and Healthtech Consultants (Healthtech) received two awards from the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) Health: Project Implementation Team of the Year and Project Patient Care Innovation Team of the Year. 

Read more about the award

Quality Healthcare Workplace Award
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) was awarded the 2011 Quality Healthcare Workplace Award – Gold.

Presented by The Ontario Hospital Association and the Ministry of Long-Term Care – Healthforce Ontario, this annual award recognizes healthcare organizations that have gone above and beyond to ensure a quality workplace.

Ontario Shores is pleased to provide a number of programs and services to enhance our work environment and support the well-being and professional development of our staff members. Some of these include, a Tuition Assistance Program, extended orientation, an excellent benefits package, Employee Assistance Program and a Bright Ideas program that enables staff to voice their opinion and participate in positive change. Staff can also enjoy a walking trail surrounding our lakeside location, indoor and outdoor recreation areas, conditioning room, weight room, full-size gym and fitness classes.

Eat Smart Award 2011 – Region of Durham
Nutrition and Food Services
Nutrition and Food Services has been recognized with the 2011 Region of Durham Eat Smart Award, an award given to organizations who provide healthy eating in a workplace. The evaluation was conducted by two public health department nurses who inspected our facility and evaluated our menu and offerings against the healthy eating standards set by the Durham Region Department of Public Health. This is the fourth consecutive year that Nutrition and Food Services has won the Eat Smart Award for providing delicious, nutritious food and quality service to patients, staff and visitors from the community.

Ontario Shores Receives Ovation Award of Excellence
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) recently accepted an Ovation Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators – Toronto.

The hospital’s Communications and Public Affairs team received the award for its program Creative Minds: Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma through the Arts.

Read more about this Ovation Award

2011 Excellence in Mobile Point of Care Award
Ontario Shores was awarded the 2011 Excellence in Mobile Point of Care Award from Motion Computing. The annual award recognizes an organization’s commitment and dedication to deploying Mobile Point of Care Solutions that enhance patient safety and improve quality of care.

“Ontario Shores is honoured to receive this award from Motion Computing and be recognized for commitment to innovation in order to provide the highest quality of care for our patients,” said Karim Mamdani, Chief Operating Officer at Ontario Shores. “We’ve seen firsthand how point of care documentation via Tablet PCs helps us deliver on that promise.”

Excellence in Volunteer Administration
Liz Onley-Wiseman, Manager of Volunteer Services at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) received the 2011 Maralyn MacKenzie Achievement Award for Excellence in Volunteer Resource Management.

Liz Onley-Wiseman (middle) poses with Kelly Braun, OSSEP instructor (left) and volunteers who assist with tutoring patients enrolled in OSSEP.The award recognizes a Durham Region Association for Volunteer Administration (DRAVA) agency member that has demonstrated professionalism and excellence in the administration of volunteer resources within the community.

Read More about this award

Eat Smart Award 2010 – Region of Durham
Nutrition and Food Services
The Nutrition and Food Services Department at Ontario Shores received the 2010 Eat Smart award.

This is the fourth year in a row that our Nutrition and Food Services team has won this award, which recognizes healthy food choices, food safety and smoke-free dining.

Congratulations to Nutrition and Food Services for their continued success in providing staff, patients and visitors with great food options. Keep up the excellent work!

Hygeia Award 2010 – Health Care Public Relations Association Canada
Communications and Public Affairs
Ontario Shores received a Hygeia award from the Health Care Public Relations Association Canada. The organization’s rebranding project “A New Brand for a New Era” won first place in the Special Purpose Communication – General category. 

“We are honoured that our rebranding initiative has received a Hygeia Award,” said Glenna Raymond, President and CEO of Ontario Shores. “I would like to recognize the efforts of our Communications team and thank staff, patients, stakeholders and the community for their input and contributions during the brand development process.”

Gold Quill Award of Merit 2010 – International Association of Business Communicators
Communications and Public Affairs
Ontario Shores won a Gold Quill Award of Merit in the category of Brand Communication from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for the organization’s rebranding project, A New Brand for a New Era.

This international award celebrates excellence in brand communications and recognizes the development of a new brand that uses a full range of planning and communication management skills, including research, analysis, strategy, tactical implementation and evaluation.

3M Health Care Quality Team Award 2009 – Canadian College of Health Service Executives (CCHSE)
Metabolic and Weight Management Clinic
Ontario Shores received the prestigious 2009 Canadian College of Health Service Executives (CCHSE) 3M Health Care Quality Team Award for the remarkable achievements of our Metabolic and Weight Management Clinic (MWM Clinic) since its inception in 2007.
 
The national award recognizes innovation, quality and team leadership, and in winning this award Ontario Shores is recognized for identifying a significant gap in mental health patient care.
 
“Receiving this award illustrates how the Metabolic and Weight Management Clinic embraces quality, innovation and teamwork through the exemplary care it provides our patients, and is reflective of our core values of excellence, innovation, safety, respect and community,” said Glenna Raymond, President and CEO of Ontario Shores.

John Dick, Patient Council Coordinator wins provincial award
John Dick, Patient Council Coordinator, was awarded the 2008 Ontario Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction.

The award recognizes the outstanding achievement of dedicated professionals and volunteers in the victim services field. These awards acknowledge the strength, creativity and courage of individual victims who have been able to create a fulfilling future for themselves, their families and their communities.

“We are very proud of John for his work at Ontario Shores and this wonderful recognition,” says Glenna Raymond, President and CEO. “John truly embraces our core values of excellence, innovation, safety, respect and community. His ability to use his personal experiences to motivate, provide hope and support patients during their recovery is inspiring.”

As Patient Council Coordinator, John assists and provides a voice for patients, promotes self-determination and ensures patients acquire the appropriate skills, supports and services to enhance the quality of their lives.

Minister's Innovation Award for Innovations in Health Promotion 2007 – Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario Shores and Community Partners were awarded the 2007 Minister’s Innovation Award for Innovations in Health Promotion for the “Stomp Out Stigma” Summits for Students in Durham Region.

The Summits involve day-long gatherings of student ambassadors who are taught about mental illness through a series of presentations by individuals with mental illness and professionals. These presentations focus on giving the ambassadors the tools necessary to build strong “anti-stigma” teams within their schools.

“Ontario Shores is proud to have a leading role in this innovative project which presents opportunities to reach out to our adolescents and provide them with information on a very important issue,” said Sheila Neuburger, Vice-President, Clinical Services at Ontario Shores.