We are Niagara Health is a series of stories that celebrates the incredible people working and volunteering in our organization and how they make a difference in the lives of patients and coworkers every day.
Lifin Parakkal Thomas has been with Niagara Health through four different stages of his professional life - from volunteer, Registered Practical Nurse, then Registered Nurse, and now Nurse Practitioner.
When Lifin Parakkal Thomas first walked through the doors of Niagara Health in 2013 as a volunteer, he never imagined he’d one day be receiving an award for excellence. But more than a decade later, this internationally-educated nurse practitioner is now a vital member of the internal medicine team — and the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Award.
“Being recognized like this - it means a lot,” Parakkal Thomas says. “It reminded me that all the hard work I’ve done hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Parakkal Thomas has been with Niagara Health through four different stages of his professional life - from volunteer, Registered Practical Nurse, then Registered Nurse, and now Nurse Practitioner. Through it all, he says Niagara Health has nurtured his growth.
But the journey was not easy.
As an internationally-educated nurse, Parakkal Thomas had to navigate licensing hurdles, cultural transitions and the pressure of proving himself in a fast-paced healthcare system. But giving up was never an option.
“There were times when it felt impossible,” he says. “But I kept faith in myself. I stayed focused, stayed positive and always looked for solutions.”
His proactive mindset quickly made an impression. Known among colleagues for staying one step ahead, he prioritizes early intervention, continuous learning, and building strong relationships with patients and their families. Whether it’s shortening a hospital stay or making someone more comfortable at the end of life, his approach is guided by the same principle: act early, act with care.
“You can’t treat patients the same way every time,” he says. “Healthcare evolves by the second. You need to keep learning, reflect on your practice, and stay flexible."
For Parakkal Thomas, that learning comes from many places – Continuing Medical Education (CME) tools, open conversations with colleagues, hospital resources like SourceNet, and above all, reflection.
“Every case is different. So you reflect, you adapt, and you get better,” he says. “That’s how you grow.”
He credits much of his professional development to the internal medicine team, especially lead physician Dr. Shalin Shah, his manager, Elayn Young and the staff who he says, have shaped his thinking and supported him every step of the way.
“They’ve helped me understand the bigger picture - what to focus on, what to let go of, and how to keep fine-tuning my approach,” he says. “It’s constant learning.”
Receiving the Rising Star Award wasn’t just a career milestone. “For me, this award is more than a title,” he says. “It’s a reminder that I’m on the right path - and that the work I’ve done has made a difference.”
Still, he’s quick to share the credit. He dedicates the award to his wife, who cared for their five children while he studied and worked toward his goals.
“She’s been my greatest support,” he says. “Without her, none of this would’ve been possible.”
To internationally-trained nurses just starting out, his advice is simple but personal: believe in yourself, keep your goal in front of you, and take each step with purpose.
“There’s no easy path,” he says. “But if you stay focused, stay grounded, and use the support around you - you’ll get where you’re meant to be.”
