Niagara Health proudly celebrated 27 exceptional nurses and three nursing teams as part of its 2025 Nursing Excellence Awards, honouring their leadership, innovation and compassionate care during a special ceremony livestreamed to its five sites.
The 2025 celebration reflects the Canadian Nurses Association’s national theme: “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.” Niagara Health nurses live this theme every day by leading with a deep commitment to high-quality care.
“The emotional labour, the clinical expertise, the calm in a crisis — it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but it’s what keeps our patients safe and our hospital moving forward,” said Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health. “What makes this week so important isn’t the awards or celebration – it’s the chance to shine a light on the quiet strength nurses show day in and day out.”
This year, Niagara Health received a record-breaking 201 nominations, each reflecting the talent, professionalism and compassion of nurses across the organization. The 2025 award recipients were recognized for going above and beyond across 10 categories.
Excellence in Nursing – Registered Nurse (RN)
Haley Morrison, ICU, Marotta Family Hospital
Haley is recognized for her calm, confident leadership and collaborative approach in the Intensive Care Unit. Her ability to manage high-pressure situations with poise and her commitment to patient-centered care make her an invaluable member of the team.
Danielle Teeuwsen, NICU, Marotta Family Hospital
Danielle's dedication to neonatal care is evident in her compassionate interactions with both infants and their families. Her expertise and gentle demeanor provide comfort during challenging times.
Caroline Mastromattei, Unit C Medicine, Niagara Falls Site
Caroline is celebrated for her exceptional clinical skills and her unwavering commitment to patient advocacy. Her colleagues commend her for being a reliable and supportive team member.
Kerry Brettell, ECU/ILTC, Welland Site
Kerry's leadership in the Extended Care Unit is marked by her dedication to enhancing patient quality of life. She is known for her innovative approaches to long-term care and her mentorship of junior staff.
Sanish Pulavelil Abraham, Complex Care, Port Colborne Site
Sanish is recognized for his holistic approach to complex patient care, ensuring that each individual's unique needs are met with empathy and professionalism.
Rachelle Dela Calzada, Complex Care, Fort Erie Site
Rachelle's commitment to excellence in nursing is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and her compassionate care for patients with complex health needs.
Excellence in Nursing – Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
Jennifer Shields, Ambulatory Care Clinic, Marotta Family Hospital
Jennifer is praised for her patient-centered advocacy and leadership, especially during the transition to the new Hospital Information System. Her adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement are exemplary.
Eugene Perez, Staffing Resource Team, Marotta Family Hospital
Eugene's versatility and dedication have made him a vital asset across multiple units. His positive attitude and willingness to support colleagues wherever needed are highly valued.
Caroline Naud, Woolcott Wing, Welland Site
Caroline is known for her compassionate care and her ability to build strong relationships with patients and their families, fostering a supportive healing environment.
Shalamar Finley, Complex Care, Port Colborne Site
Shalamar's empathetic approach and attention to detail ensure that patients receive personalized and effective care, making her a trusted caregiver in the complex care unit.
Excellence in Nursing – Advanced Practice
Kavitha Kuriakose, Nurse Educator, Mental Health Program, Marotta Family Hospital
Kavitha's dedication to mental health education has significantly enhanced the knowledge and skills of nursing staff, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Gloria Janz, Nurse Educator, Surgical Inpatient and Ambulatory Services, Niagara Falls and Welland Sites
Gloria's innovative teaching methods and commitment to excellence have elevated the standard of surgical care across multiple sites.
Kim Deroo, 6th Floor Medicine, Welland Site
Kim's leadership in advanced practice nursing is marked by her proactive approach to patient care and her mentorship of fellow nurses.
Excellence in Nursing – Teamwork and Collaboration
Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), Marotta Family Hospital
The PERT team is celebrated for their trauma-informed crisis care and seamless collaboration with hospital and community partners, ensuring comprehensive mental health support.
Niagara Falls Emergency Department Nurses Team, Niagara Falls Site
This team is recognized for their exceptional coordination and teamwork in delivering timely and effective emergency care to the community.
Welland ICU Team, Welland Site
The Welland ICU Team's commitment to collaborative practice has led to enhanced patient care and a supportive work environment for all staff members.
Excellence in Nursing – Mentorship
Kristine Krawec, RN, Emergency Department, Marotta Family Hospital
Kristine's dedication to mentoring new nurses has fostered a culture of learning and professional growth within the emergency department.
Melissa Caza, RN, Emergency Department, Welland Site
Melissa is known for her supportive guidance and her ability to inspire confidence in novice nurses, contributing to a skilled and resilient team.
Douglas Brown, RPN, Complex Care, Port Colborne Site
Douglas's mentorship has been instrumental in developing the competencies of practical nurses, ensuring high-quality patient care.
Excellence in Nursing – Leadership
Shona MacGregor, RN, ICU, Marotta Family Hospital
Shona's creative and hands-on leadership style has led to significant improvements in ICU operations and patient outcomes.
Maria DiLalla, RN, Emergency Department, Niagara Falls Site
Maria's strategic vision and effective communication have strengthened team dynamics and enhanced emergency care services.
Lesley Arsenault, RN, Hemodialysis, Welland Site
Lesley's leadership in the hemodialysis unit is characterized by her commitment to patient-centered care and continuous quality improvement.
Excellence in Nursing – Rising Star
Jennisetthe Lindsay, RPN, PERT, Marotta Family Hospital
Jennisetthe's enthusiasm and fresh perspective have brought innovative ideas to the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team, positively impacting patient care.
Lifin Parakkal-Thomas, NP, General Internal Medicine, Niagara Falls Site
Lifin's proactive approach and clinical acumen have quickly established him as a valuable member of the internal medicine team.
Saryn Waters, RN, ICU, Welland Site
Saryn's dedication to excellence and her rapid professional growth have made her a standout nurse in the intensive care unit.
Excellence in Nursing – Non-Traditional Nursing Roles
Julianne Morosin, RN, Transfusion Bridge HIS, Marotta Family Hospital
Julianne's work in the Transfusion Bridge HIS project has streamlined processes and improved patient safety, showcasing the impact of nursing in informatics.
Sky-Lynn Canter, Clinical Scholar, Port Colborne
Sky-Lynn's role as a clinical scholar has advanced nursing education and practice, fostering a culture of evidence-based care.
Excellence in Nursing – Lifetime Achievement
Lesley Collins, RN, Charge Nurse, 4A Respirology, Marotta Family Hospital
With decades of dedicated service, Lesley has been a pillar of excellence in respiratory care, mentoring countless nurses and advocating for patients.
Debbie Meehan, RPN, Health Informatics, Welland Site
Debbie's contributions to health informatics have revolutionized patient data management, enhancing the quality and efficiency of care delivery.
Laura Morrison, Director, Kidney & Ambulatory Care, Marotta Family Hospital
Laura's visionary leadership has transformed kidney and ambulatory care services across Niagara Health, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and compassion.
“Our nurses are not only caregivers, they are change agents, educators, leaders and advocates,” said Natalie Ferraro, Director of Nursing Practice and Education. “Their compassion, collaboration and pursuit of excellence reflect the best of who we are at Niagara Health.”
Award recipients were recognized during a virtual ceremony hosted by senior leaders. As part of National Nursing Week, all nurses across Niagara Health also received a custom-designed lapel pin, generously supported by the Niagara Health Foundation.
Celebrating Nursing Week Across Niagara Health
As part of Nursing Week, Niagara Health extends its heartfelt appreciation to all nurses for their expertise and dedication. Your impact is felt every day in patient care, in teamwork and in the lives you help shape across our hospital system.
Shining a light on nurses
In recognition of Nursing Week, Niagara Falls was illuminated in blue on Tuesday, May 13 from 10-10:15 p.m. Additionally, Welland’s Bridge 13 shined in blue on the evening of Thursday, May 15 as a tribute to the vital role nurses play across Niagara.
Join our team of dedicated nurses
Interested in joining Niagara Health’s passionate team of nursing professionals? Explore current opportunities across our hospital sites.
About Nursing Week
National Nursing Week is celebrated each May to honour the legacy of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, whose birthday falls on May 12. It honours the essential contributions nurses make to the health and wellbeing of patients, families and healthcare teams across Canada.
