RPNAO CEO Dianne Martin receives Premier's Award in Health Sciences

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO) is delighted to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Dianne Martin, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Premier's Award for Ontario College Graduates in the category of Health Sciences.

In addition to her 26 years as a bedside nurse, Martin has also spent the past 10 years at the helm of RPNAO, where she advocates tirelessly for excellence in health care and on behalf of the province's 39,000 registered practical nurses. Martin, who is a graduate of the Diploma Nursing program at Georgian College, has established a reputation as a champion of the nursing profession. Much of her work at RPNAO revolves around advocating for collaborative, patient-centred care and helping to remove barriers to the full scope of practice for RPNs and other health care professionals.

"We are very proud of Dianne Martin," says MaryLynn West-Moynes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Georgian College. "She, like all our nominees, past and present, is a shining example of how a college education can be a springboard to incredible life and career success."

"I've gotten to know Dianne quite well over the past number of years. I've seen her up close and in action, representing this wonderful profession," says Max Hamlyn, President of RPNAO. "Ontario's RPNs are extremely fortunate to have a leader with her character and dedication working on their behalf. Under her leadership, our profession has seen excellent progress over the past decade. On behalf of our association, I would like to congratulate Dianne on receiving this prestigious award."

Ontario's RPNs were well-represented at the annual awards gala, as April Plumton, an RPN and board member of RPNAO, was also nominated in the Health Sciences category. Plumton is a Diabetes Nurse Educator and was instrumental in implementing the insulin pump program at the Belleville Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Speaking about this year's award recipients, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said, "Ontario's colleges have produced graduates who have gone on to achieve amazing success in their careers. Many of these graduates have created jobs, made lasting contributions in their communities and helped to attract new investments. The recipients of this year's Premier Awards are examples of our college students' incredible potential."

The 2016 Premier's Awards for Ontario College Graduates were presented on November 21 at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto. The awards were created in 1992 to recognize the important social and economic contributions the province's college graduates make in Ontario and beyond.

About RPNAO
Founded in 1958, RPNAO is the voice of registered practical nursing in Ontario. There are approximately 39,000 RPNs working in Ontario, playing a vital role in the province's health care system. For more information about RPNAO, its mandate and how RPNs contribute to Ontario's health care system, please visit rpnao.org.

SOURCE Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario

Warren Weeks: [email protected] or 416-238-6361