AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Background
In 2022, the NHNSA Executive Director, with the full support of the Board of Directors, launched a bold new initiative: an awards recognition program to celebrate the visionaries, leaders, and champions shaping the future of long-term care. Designed to include every long-term care organization funded by the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, this program shines a spotlight on excellence across the sector.
A dedicated planning committee brought the vision to life, defining six award categories that embody the core values at the heart of outstanding care.
The inaugural Awards Gala was nothing short of inspiring—a high-profile evening complete with a reception, dinner, live entertainment, and a professional host to guide the celebrations. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, partners, and stakeholders, the event drew corporate, academic, and sector leaders, along with government representatives from all three political parties, united in recognizing and honouring excellence in long-term care.
Jennifer Schmalz
Executive Assistant for NHNSA
782.409.9105
admin@nhnsa.ca
Deadline for nomination submissions is:
November 4, 2025 AT 12 noon
AWARD CATEGORIES
There are six award categories. Three recipients are selected as finalists for each category based on the evidence provided in the submission form and the scoring matrix used by the committee members. Specific questions and word limits help guide the nomination responses and ensure equity among presentation styles.
Better
Together
Award
This award recognizes an individual or team who have prioritized inter-professional and community collaboration with the goal of increasing quality of care through meaningful and sustainable relationships and shared knowledge.
Eligibility: Any individual or group comprised of long-term care employees, contractors, healthcare providers, or volunteers may be nominated.
Nomination Questions:
- Please give a description with specific examples and details, of how the nominee identified and actioned an opportunity to create and/or facilitate a relationship(s) or partnership for a positive impact.
- Describe how the nominee(s)’s work has (have) impacted multiple sector stakeholders.
- Using specific examples and some specific details that speak to the sustainability or repeatability of the relationship (i.e., how do they share best practices offer mentorship, maintain the relationship, foster the relationship,)
- How might the nominee(s)’s work be considered innovative or creative? Give specific examples.
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS REQUIRED: 1200-1500
Champion
for
Dignity
Award
This award honours outstanding advocacy by a group or individual that advances quality long-term care in Nova Scotia. Through passion and assertive influence, recipient(s) of this award have effectively advocated for funding, quality improvements, profile, respect, and sustainable investments for the sector.
Eligibility: Any individual or group comprised of long-term care employees, contractors, healthcare providers, volunteers, residents, or families may be nominated.
Nomination Questions:
- Please give a description of the initiative (s) that the nominee(s) has advocated for in support of the sector.
- Please provide examples of how the nominee(s) demonstrated passion, collaboration, and influence, or increased investment for improved resident care and/or system support.
- Please describe the nominee(s)’s role in creating awareness of the advocacy issue and their approach to engage support.
- Please describe how the nominee(s) could be considered visionary or progressive?
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS REQUIRED: 1200-1500
Cultural
Harmony
Award
This award celebrates the advances made by a group or individual to create an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible culture within their long-term care community. The recipient(s) of this award has taken initiative in promoting and implementing sustainable system frameworks that promote a greater understanding and appreciation for one another and builds a culture that ensures everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Eligibility: Any individual or group comprised of long-term care employees, contractors, healthcare providers, volunteers, residents, or families may be nominated.
Nomination Questions:
- Describe the project or initiative that the nominee has created or implemented that has prioritized diversity, inclusion, and equity and accessibility in their long-term care community.
- Using specific examples, please explain how this project or initiative has contributed to the feeling of security, acceptance and welcoming for residents and/or LTC staff.
- Describe the sustainability, and accessibility of the project or initiative (e., does it include an educational component, is the change systemic, is it accessible physically, socially, economically etc.)
- Describe how this project or initiative incorporated/consulted and tangibly includes a multitude of diverse voices.
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS REQUIRED: 1200-1500
Leading
the Way
Award
This award recognizes the incredible, engaging, skilled and passionate leaders in long-term care. The recipient of this award actively creates a legacy of impact on the long-term care sector and community. They consistently inspire a shared vision, lead with authenticity, and proactively engage in sector-wide conversations to support, sustain and improve the highest standards for best practice in long term care in Nova Scotia.
Eligibility: Any individual or group comprised of long-term care employees, contractors, healthcare providers, volunteers, residents, or families may be nominated.
Nomination Questions:
- Describe the role and responsibilities of this leader.
- Provide specific examples of how this person inspires others through their leadership role.
- Describe initiatives or projects where the leader’s skills provided benefit to others.
- Share how this leader has positively impacted their team, residents, and long-term care community.
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS REQUIRED: 1200-1500
Spirit
Award
This award celebrates an individual who embodies the #LTC Proud spirit. They strive for excellence in care delivery and demonstrates compassion, commitment and dedication through inspiring client care relationships and are the true superheroes in the sector.
Eligibility: A non-management employee working in long-term care.
Nomination Questions:
- Describe how this person demonstrates a commitment to quality care.
- Provide examples of how others are inspired by this person to excel in resident relationships and care delivery.
- Provide examples of how this person demonstrates pride in their work and nourishes positive and productive relationships with others.
- Share examples of how this person is committed to continuous learning and growth in their LTC role.
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS REQUIRED: 1200-1500
Trailblazer
Award
This award celebrates the incredible research, innovation and creativity happening in the sector. The recipient(s) of this award thinks outside the box and has challenged the status-quo in developing, implementing and/or prioritizing an innovation or innovative practice that improves quality of work-life for staff, quality care for residents and supports the advancement and/or transformation of the long-term care sector in Nova Scotia.
Eligibility: Any individual or group comprised of long-term care employees, contractors, healthcare providers, volunteers, residents, or families may be nominated.
Nomination Questions:
- Describe the details of the innovation or innovative practice.
- Describe how this innovation/innovative practice contributes to the advancement of long-term care.
- Explain the uniqueness of this project and /or the shareability with the sector.
- Share examples of how this person’s involvement with this project supports knowledge transfer, growth and success for the sector.