Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Making Waves Awards!
The Making Waves Awards Program, proudly co-sponsored by belairdirect, is designed to honour the remarkable dedication of our Nova Scotia Health team members and to celebrate our shared commitment to our vision, mission, values and strategic goals.
This year's honourees:
COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE CATEGORY
Outstanding Community Contribution Award (CHB)
Central Cape Breton County Community Health Board
EMPLOYEE AND PHYSICIAN CATEGORY
Award of Distinction
Crystal Conrad, Public Health Nurse, Western Zone
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Accessibility (EDIRA) Award
Dr. Mutiat Sulyman, Director of EDIA, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University
Don Currie Workplace Safety Champion Award
Vicky Martin, Charge Nurse, Central Zone
Outstanding Contribution Award
Rev. Dr. Debra Orton, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Western Zone
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE CATEGORY
Employee in a Formal Leadership Role
Valerie Nugent, Director, Cancer Care Program, Eastern and Northern Zone
Physician Leader
Dr. Daria Manos, Medical Director, Professor of Radiology, Dalhousie University
Leadership in Action
Tara Szuszkiewicz, Psychologist, Western Zone
VOLUNTEER EXCELLENCE CATEGORY
Outstanding Patient Family Advisor Volunteer Award
Donalda MacIsaac, Patient Family Advisor, Central Zone
Outstanding Hospital Volunteer Award
Tracey Ruehlicke, Hospital Volunteer, Western Zone
Outstanding Community Based Volunteer Award (CHB Individual Member)
Rhonda Frank, CHB Member, Central Zone
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CATEGORY
Early Career/Emerging Researcher Award
Dr. Tommy Brothers, Physician, Central Zone
Innovator Award
The AI-Enabled Medical Imaging Waitlist Optimization Initiative Team, Central Zone
Outstanding Researcher Award
Dr. John Sapp, Attending Physician and Professor at Dalhousie University, Central Zone
