Clinicians across diverse health-care professions bring dedication, compassion and innovation to their work, shaping meaningful futures for clients and families. The STAR Awards, now in its fourth year, celebrate Holland Bloorview’s clinical excellence and innovation through peer and client-and-family nominations. The hospital proudly honoured recipients earlier this month with both STAR and Jake’s Awards. 

“Through these awards, we celebrate clinical excellence, teamwork, courage and innovation,” said Irene Andress, vice president of programs and services and chief nursing executive. “We are deeply grateful to our clinicians for their unwavering commitment and compassion in providing personalized care that is agile, socially accountable and transformed by research and education for the 8,500 clients and their families we serve each year.”

Staff teams across the hospital gathered in the hospital’s Coriat Atrium to recognize the following recipients of this year’s awards.

Jake’s Award

Maria Wong, a speech-language pathologist in the brain injury rehabilitation team unit, received the fourth annual Jake’s Award, which honours clinicians who see a client as a whole person and embodies Holland Bloorview’s core values.

Marcy White, Jacob’s mom, shared why Maria was the perfect candidate: 

“In the course of interacting with so many medical professionals in Jacob’s life in general, we’ve seen different types of care. And the one thing that really hits home for us, especially when we’re going through something difficult, is someone who is empathetic. You can tell from their mannerisms and interactions that it’s more than just a job for them, they understand and want to help. 

Maria embodies everything we were looking for in terms of the compassion, the thinking outside the box, a sense of positivity and working with family unit –not just the patient or parent.”

Maria received this award from Jacob and his family with many of her clinical colleagues present at a surprise event earlier last week – complete with pickles and cheezies, snacks that Jake enjoyed. She was touched by the recognition from her peers. 

“I'm deeply grateful to the team that supported me – this award reflects their guidance. I’ve learned to honour each client and family’s voice during their rehab journey, especially in our brain injury rehabilitation unit,” said the speech-language pathologist. “What drives my clinical work is to see clients and families as who they are and not be defined by just their injury.”

Team Innovation Award

The Communication and Writing Aids and Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Communication teams were honoured for developing new headset and software solutions that enhances the experiences of children and youth using the BCI technology. 

“This reflects our shared commitment to supporting children and families through collaboration and creativity, and advancing access, inclusion and communication,” says BCI designer Jason Leung on behalf of his team.

Team Excellence Award

The Communication, Learning and Behaviour Social Work team, recipients of the Team Excellence Award, exemplify team excellence by strengthening collaboration among colleagues and creating new ways to support clients and families in a fast-paced diagnostic setting.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to be recognized and celebrated by our colleagues. We are passionate about supporting kids and families,” said social worker Robin Hermolin on behalf of her team. “Congrats to all the nominees and recipients! We are proud to work with so many creative, dedicated and compassionate colleagues.”

Clinical Excellence Award (Individual)

Congratulations, Janet Bernstein for receiving this year’s Clinical Excellence Award for mentoring and supporting occupational therapists as well as newer clinicians in other fields including physiotherapy and speech-language pathology. 

“Working with the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team (BIRT), I value collaborating with clients and their families, while mentoring newer therapists to develop clinical skills and foster strong interdisciplinary relationships to meet client needs and goals,” said Bernstein.

Rising Star Clinical Excellence Award

Physiotherapist Carlie Thornber received this inaugural award that recognizes early-career professionals for their exceptional clinical care, eagerness to learn and a strong commitment to client- and family-centred practice.

"I’m grateful to be recognized among so many dedicated professionals. This award reflects the support I’ve received from colleagues, mentors, and especially my incredible CCC team. Their insight, care and collaboration have deeply shaped my growth. I’m committed to paying it forward by mentoring new clinicians in client- and family-centered care,” says Thornber.

“With generous support from the Trossman family, Holland Bloorview Foundation, and vendors like Loblaws Ltd., Marty’s Pickles and Carolina’s Brownies, we celebrate our exceptional clinicians,” said Lisa Kakonge, collaborative practice leader, who organized the ceremony along with members of the STAR Awards committee. “Congratulations to all recipients! To every clinician at Holland Bloorview – thank you for your dedication and excellence. Your work helps create meaningful, healthy futures for children, youth and their families.”

By Suelan Toye

Photos by Brendan Byrne