RNAO presents annual Media Awards to journalists

TORONTO, March 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Two publications in our nation's capital and CTV News are the big winners in this year's Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) Media Awards competition.

The Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun both earned judges' top praise, winning in the daily newspaper, best in-depth feature and daily newspaper, best series categories, respectively. Six other media outlets will also pick up RNAO Media Awards.

The province's top professional nursing association's annual competition honours reporters working at newspapers, radio and television stations and online publications examining nursing, health and health-care issues. The winners will receive their awards during the President's Banquet at RNAO's annual general meeting in Toronto on Friday, April 17.

Reporters covered a range of topics this year in their winning work: from vaccination rates, to end-of-life issues, to the difference a continence clinic is making people's lives, journalists shone a spotlight on topical and lesser-known stories in communities across Ontario – and beyond.

Nine judges, including nurses and working journalists, pored over more than 40 thought-provoking entries that were submitted from across Ontario. Nine top-scoring entries captured the judges' attention.

Winners who will receive an RNAO Media Award:

Tamara Shephard
Community newspaper, best news story
Continence clinic: it's the place to go if you've got troubles 'going'
Etobicoke Guardian

Matthew Pearson
Daily newspaper, best in-depth feature
A boy named Mikey - a gender story in six chapters
Ottawa Citizen

Dani-Elle Dubé and Aedan Helmer
Daily newspaper, best series
Senior is on his own
Ottawa Sun

Ann Silversides
Exceptional reporting on an RN/nursing issue
Nunavut's Nursing Crisis
Maisonneuve magazine

Marcia Kaye
Magazine, best story
The Closet Smokers Among Us
Best Health

Carmen Chai and Patrick Cain
Online, best story
Which Toronto schools have the lowest measles vaccination rates?
Global News

The Current, CBC Radio
Radio, best in-depth feature
Being mortal, and what matters in the end

Carrie Trownson
Television, best in-depth feature
It's not a death sentence
CTV News Northern Ontario

Avis Favaro and Elizabeth St. Philip
Television, best news story
'Butterfly child' with rare condition gives hope to thousands
CTV News

RNAO President Vanessa Burkoski says she is proud of journalists' work to uncover pressing nursing, health and health-care issues, and on behalf of RNAO, she congratulates all Media Award winners. "These journalists haven't shied away from exploring difficult topics that have captured the public's attention," says Burkoski, adding "It's clear the winners demonstrate the ability of a high-functioning press, and the impact of a compelling story."

"RNAO's role as the provincial nursing association is to speak out for nursing and health. It only stands to reason we honour those who share similar mandates, and journalists are top-of-mind," adds the association's Chief Executive Officer, Doris Grinspun. "We work very closely with the media and for more than a decade, we've been delighted to recognize reporters' outstanding work."

This year marks the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's (RNAO) 90th anniversary. RNAO is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve. For more information about RNAO, visit our website at RNAO.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Daniel Punch, Editorial assistant, RNAO, Tel: [phone], ext. 211, [e-mail]