Nurse's Week

RN Stephanie Allard Recognized with Prestigious Leadership Award During Nurses Week

 In honour of Nurses Week, the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) is pleased to announce Stephanie Allard as the recipient of the 2024 Leslie Burt-Manary RN Leadership Award. Allard is a Registered Nurse on A1/Evergreen Lodge who has dedicated thirty-three years to caring for others.

Allard was nominated for this award by her peers, and they shared the many ways she demonstrates leadership and dedication in her work.

For the past seven years, Stephanie has been the unit lead on A1/Evergreen Lodge - two very complex and different patient populations; complex continuing care and senior’s mental health. As team lead, she is in the unique position to collaborate with all aspects of the healthcare team, the patients, and the patients’ families. She has made significant contributions to this team by fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, while also serving as a role model and mentor for others. Stephanie is the kind of person to always put others’ needs before her own, and that has been reflected in her work.

Many of our patients are here long term, and are in positions where they cannot always advocate for themselves, or do not have families to help them advocate for their needs. Stephanie takes on challenges and is persistent in her advocacy of her patients when needed. She is kind, empathetic, and takes the time to understand others, especially during challenging times.

 This special award honours Leslie Burt-Manary, a dedicated nurse who died of cancer in 2017. To celebrate Leslie’s life, her mother established an endowment fund and award as a lasting legacy to celebrate nursing leadership. The award provides an annual grant for professional development.

“Congratulations to Stephanie and best wishes as we celebrate her achievement and Nurses week,” shared Joanne Laplante, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, NBRHC. “This award is a significant part of our celebration of Nurses Week. It highlights the qualities of nurses, their knowledge, skills, compassion and dedication to patient care, no matter what circumstances they are facing.”

Leslie Burt-Manary was born in France in 1959, and graduated from Canadore College in North Bay as a Registered Nurse in 1979. She began working at the former Civic Hospital in 1987 and continued her career with NBRHC.

Leslie’s mother, Pauline Burt, says her daughter loved being a nurse and had a positive outlook on life. “She often said, ‘It’s not just what I do, it’s who I am.’”  Leslie shared her cancer experience on social media in hopes of demystifying the journey and helping others. “Her witty sense of humour stayed with her throughout her illness,” her mother added.

“The endowment fund and bursary is a meaningful way to remember the impact Leslie had in motivating others to continue their education and aspire to become the best nurses they could be,” said Tammy Morison, President and CEO, NBRHC Foundation. “In 2018, the endowment fund was seeded with a donation from Mrs. Burt.”