NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED - 2026 BD AWARD

The CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award 2026

Made possible by a generous grant by:

                         

CELEBRATING NURSES ACROSS CANADA!
Recognizing excellence in the practice of infusion therapy and vascular access

In recognition of the efforts that healthcare professionals make every day, CVAA National and BD Canada would like to recognize the important contributions made in vascular access management and infusion therapy practice.

The 2026 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award recognizes healthcare professionals in all care settings who are committed to safety and quality improvement in vascular access, the care and maintenance of vascular access devices, improving the patient experience, and optimizing infusion therapy practice through leadership, innovation and implementation of sustainable best practice techniques.

Please take the time to nominate yourself, or a member of your healthcare team who has demonstrated excellence in patient care through optimized vascular access management and infusion therapy.

All nominees must be current CVAA national members and in good standing.

Purpose of the award:

  • Promote safety and quality improvement in vascular access management and infusion practices for optimal patient outcomes
  • Recognize champions and trailblazers in Canadian vascular access management and infusion therapy practice in all care settings
  • Raise the awareness of the impact of individual contributions to system wide results
  • Recognize leadership in improving vascular access patient experience initiatives

Please include the following information in the nomination – a description of:

  • The safety and quality improvement in vascular access management and infusion therapy practices and how it was achieved, citing:
    • Leadership
    • Innovation
    • Implementation of sustainable best practices
    • Change-management concepts
  • The impact and/or improvement on patient care outcomes, explaining how this supports the healthcare organization’s goals.
  • The involvement and participation in a CVAA chapter.
  • Other considerations that may be of interest to the selection committee.

Please provide a brief description (500 words, or less) of how this nominee meets the criteria for this award - in any or all of the following areas and how they have displayed excellence in vascular access management and infusion therapy practice.  Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Improving safety for the patient and healthcare practitioner
  • Bringing evidence-based healthcare into practice, policy and procedure to demonstrate outcomes
  • Driving practice efficiencies and demonstrating impacts to timely care delivery, improvements to patient flow
  • Compliance with standards, regulations, guidelines, and directives
  • Providing continuity of vascular access management and infusion therapy services in multiple care areas
  • Use of innovative practices and technologies in vascular access management and infusion therapy that dramatically improves patient care
  • Standardization of IV therapy processes and consistency of outcomes across care venues
  • Impact of their initiatives on overall patient experiences

There will be three (3) regional awards for recognition:

Geography for awards:

  • West – BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut
  • Central – Ontario
  • East – Quebec and Atlantic provinces

Nature of the award:

Nominations (self or other) accepted online here

Nominations will be accepted until March 6, 2026 at 4:00pm EST.

Winners will be announced and recognized on the CVAA website, in the weekly Friday File email, on social media, and at the annual general meeting.

Two (2) of the REGIONAL winners will receive:

  • $500 CAD educational grant that may be used toward an education material or course relating to infusion therapy and/or vascular access, registration to an association or conference for nursing practice, other (subject to approval)

One (1) of the regional winners will be named the NATIONAL winner and will receive:

  • $1000 CAD educational grant that may be used toward an education material or course relating to infusion therapy and/or vascular access, registration to an association or conference for nursing practice, other (subject to approval)

If the winners are unavailable to attend the conference, registrations are not transferrable.

The top 3 numerical score winners shall be awarded, regardless of region.

*Note – The amounts reimbursed will be a maximum of $500 and $1000 depending on award. 

Original receipts are required and subject to review to ensure the criteria is met before reimbursement given. 

NOMINATE SOMEONE HERE

2025 BD AWARD WINNERS

The CVAA Board of Directors are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 - CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award!  The award recognizes the important contributions made in vascular access management and infusion therapy practice with a focus on peripheral IV therapy. 

Purpose of the award:

  • Promote safety and quality improvement in peripheral IV vascular access management and infusion practices for optimal patient outcomes 
  • Recognize champions in Canadian vascular access management and infusion therapy practice
  • Raise the awareness of the impact of individual contributions to system wide results

We had a great number of deserving applicants and the submissions were blindly reviewed by the Board of Directors. We are very pleased to announce the following recipients:

National Winner  – Sarah Gallie, Hospital for SickKids, Newmarket, ON

  • Sarah is a recognized leader in vascular access management and infusion therapy with a dedication to innovation and evidence-based practice.
  • As Co-Chair of the CLABSI Action Group, she plays a pivotal role in monitoring infection trends and implementing strategies to reduce CLABSI rates. 
  • Sarah was instrumental in developing the Infusion Safety Practice Bundle at SickKids, a critical initiative that enhances infusion safety by supporting best practices, preventing patient harm, and helping clinicians infuse with confidence. 
  • Sarah advances Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT®) education and policy development, reinforcing infection control best practices to minimize contamination risks. 
  • Sarah is an active CVAA member and played a key role in re-establishing the Greater Toronto Chapter. Her contributions, both within the hospital and at the national level, make her a highly deserving nominee for this award.


Regional Winner - Jennifer Theis, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, ON

  • With an impressive Guardrail compliance rate of 97.09%, Jen’s focus on evidence-based practices has significantly contributed to patient safety and care excellence.
  • Jen’s leadership is demonstrated through her ability to engage multidisciplinary teams and promote adherence to best practices in infusion therapy.
  • Most recently Jen trained DI with PICC training resulting in prompt treatment reducing delays in critical interventions resulting in positive outcomes and patient experience.
  • Jen’s dedication to both staff education and innovative technologies keeps CMH at the cutting edge of vascular access and infusion therapy. Her efforts have not only improved CMH but also positively impacted the broader healthcare community. 


Regional Winner – Ilka Chobanova, Interior Health Authority - Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops, BC

  • Ilka is a true champion of evidence-based best practices in PICC insertion ensuring exceptional outcomes for patients across the Thompson-Cariboo region and Royal Inland Hospital.
  • Thanks to her specialized skill set, children and their families can now receive expert treatment closer to home, reducing the stress and burden of travel while maintaining high-quality care. 
  • Through data collection and tracking outcomes, Ilka played a pivotal role in driving quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient safety and optimize vascular access success rates. 
  • Ilka’s advocacy for best practices has led to reduced catheter-related complications, improved device longevity, and enhanced patient outcomes.
  • It is Ilka’s honor to carry the “invisible umbrella“ of vein preservation to work hard and advocate for her patients.
     

CVAA is appreciative of the initiative and support of BD Canada, one of our 2025 Platinum Corporate Members, and wish to thank them for funding this award.

PAST BD AWARD WINNERS

2024 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL and REGIONAL Winner – Gillian Weppler, IV Therapy, St. Mary’s General Hospital, Waterloo, ON
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Sarajayne Charnley, Ambulatory Care/PICC Team, Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, ON
Third Place/REGIONAL Winner - Emily Panke, Level II Neonatal ICU (SCBU)/ Nursery/Labour and Delivery, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Bermuda

2023 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL and REGIONAL Winner – Bryan Kitchen, Clinical Resource Nurse Vascular Access PICC Program, Health Sciences Centre, MB
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Nadine Smith, Clinical Educator, Infusion Therapy, IWK Children’s Hospital NS

2022 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL and REGIONAL Winner – Lollita Rahaman, William Osler Health System, Brampton, ON
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Sandra Vaz-Gonsalves, Alberta Health Services - Peter Lougheed Centre, Calgary, AB
Third Place/REGIONAL Winner – Kimberlei Dool, Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, BC

2021 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL and REGIONAL Winner – Krista Getson, Prince County Hospital, Summerside PE
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Demar Thompson, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Bermuda
Third Place/REGIONAL Winner – Patricia Connick, PConnick Consulting, Bracebridge, ON

2020 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award 

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL Winner – Julia Casey, NB 
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Chanda MacDonald, NS 
Third Place/REGIONAL Winner – Miranda Harrington (Board Student Ambassador), Madolyn Connolly and Catherine Farmer joint founding members of McGill Ingram School of Nursing (ISON) Vascular Access Student Club (VASC) 

2019 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL Winner – Tracey Hagan-O'Connor, PEI
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Kathleen Toth, BC
Third Place/REGIONAL Winner – Nicole Jackson, Bermuda

2018 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
First Place/NATIONAL Winner – Tannia Agnot-Johnston, Winnipeg, MB
Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Janice Buttle, New Glasgow, NS
Third Place/REGIONAL Winner – Nancy Friesen, Winnipeg, MB

2017 CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
• First Place/NATIONAL Winner – Shelley Lacelle, Sudbury, ON
• Second Place/REGIONAL Winner – Cathy Duerksen, Vancouver, BC
• Third Place/REGIONAL Winner – Nathan Best, Vancouver, BC

2016 CVAA/BD Excellence in Optimal Vascular Access & Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
• East (Quebec and Maritime provinces) NATIONAL – Kim Bowness - Health PEI Prince County Hospital - Alberton, PE
• West (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) REGIONAL – Kristie Naayer - Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre - Abbotsford, BC
• Central (Ontario, Bermuda) REGIONAL – Carmen Cernusca - Niagara Health System - Welland, ON

2015 CVAA/BD Excellence in Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
• West (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) NATIONAL – Cherie Pinkerton - Winnipeg, MB
• Central (Ontario, Bermuda) REGIONAL – Daphne Broadhurst and Diane Roscoe - Ottawa, ON

2014 CVAA/BD Excellence in Infusion Therapy Award

Regional and National Winners:
• West (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) NATIONAL – Tami Jemson - Lake Country, BC
• Central (Ontario, Bermuda) REGIONAL  – Kristin Goncalves - Mississauga, ON
• East (Quebec and Maritime provinces) REGIONAL – France Paquet - Montreal, QC