On October 12 AFHTO named the winners of our eleventh Bright Lights Awards at our ceremony at our annual conference. These innovators have improved access to primary care through their leadership, outstanding work and significant progress made toward improving the value delivered by interprofessional primary care teams throughout Ontario. Bright Lights Award winners are innovators and team players whose work has an impact on the healthcare system and in the lives of their patients and communities.
The review committees made up of AFHTO members chose the winners from among dozens of nominations. AFHTO gave awards for each of our four conference themes, as well as a spotlight award for excellent work by an underrepresented primary care team. The winners will receive a $750 education grant each courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim.
In addition, AFHTO’s board presented an award to a physician leader who supported the public and healthcare professionals alike in a hard-hit community and continues to tirelessly advocate for ongoing support.
Board Award: Dr. Lawrence Loh
In recognition of: Providing Leadership to Support the Vulnerable During the Pandemic
This year, the board has recognized Dr. Lawrence Loh, the medical officer of health (MOH) for Peel Region, and new ED and CEO of CFPC, for his creation of a partnership model that will serve the community well beyond the pandemic.
The five recipients of Bright Lights Awards are listed below. Click on the links to read a summary of their achievements:
1. New Vision Family Health Team
Award Category: It Takes a Team: Collaboration Inside and Out
Achievement: New Vision ICT Geriatric Pilot Project
New Vision FHT assembled an integrated care team for older, non-rostered adults in Waterloo, reducing the waitlist for a geriatrician and optimizing patient care.
2. Queen Square Family Health Team
Award Category: Health Equity at the Centre
Achievement: Nurse Practitioner-led Gender Clinic
Led by Erin Ziegler, Queen Square FHT developed the Nurse Practitioner-led Gender Clinic to provide safe and gender-affirming primary care to transgender and non-binary individuals.
3. North York Family Health Team
Award Category: Sustainable Solutions to Primary Care Problems
Achievement: Creating the Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Program (CSP)
North York FHT created the Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Program (CSP), which provides continuity of care for people who have been treated for cancer with an interprofessional team.
4. North Shore Family Health Team
Award Category: Mental Health and Addictions
Achievement: Care coordination for patients who experience mental health struggles
North Shore FHT used an increased approval for a part-time navigator position for intake, assessment and care coordination services for patients who experience mental health and/or socio-economic struggles.
5. Wawa Family Health Team
Award Category: Spotlight Award
Achievement: Quality Patient Navigation Support
Wawa Family Health Team expanded their Medical Abortion Program to include a virtual component, serving dozens of urban women, in addition to local patients.
Congratulations to all our winners and nominees! And to see all our nominees please visit the 2022 Hall of Fame.
The call for nominations for the 2023 Bright Light Awards will go out in June 2023. All AFHTO members are welcome and encouraged to participate.