Sunnybrook Award for Clinical Excellence 2024
Sunnybrook recently honoured individuals who exemplify clinical excellence by exceeding role expectations, championing patient-focused care, and promoting safety and respect in all interactions. These award recipients embody Sunnybrook’s core values, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a commitment to education and mentorship. Their dedication to continuous improvement and fostering collaboration inspires colleagues and enhances the quality of healthcare delivery.
Congratulations to the Sunnybrook Award for Clinical Excellence 2024 recipients!
*Award recipients are listed in alphabetical order.
Senayit Afrasa - Registered Nurse & Team Lead, 3 East, Holland Centre
Senayit started her nursing career at Holland Centre in 2007 in a role of registered practical nurse (RPN). In 2011, she graduated from Ryerson University with a bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and continued her employment as a registered nurse (RN) at Holland Centre. Over the many years of her employment at Sunnybrook, Holland Centre, she has proven her strong commitment to furthering her nursing education in support of ever-changing patient needs. She supported Holland Centre patient populations and colleagues by becoming a Best Practice Champion for Skin and Wound Care Best Practice. In her clinical work, Senayit goes above and beyond every day, to provide exceptional care, not just for our patients, but also for her colleagues and the community as a whole. From the moment she steps onto the floor, her commitment is evident. She does her morning patient rounds and takes time to listen to our patients, ensuring they feel comforted and understood.
Brian Grant - Social Worker, Reactivation Care Centre
Brian is an invaluable support and his natural empathy and communication skills consistently turn difficult situations into collaborative, positive experiences. Brian's actions are driven by an unwavering moral compass, and always moored to the patient’s best interests. He consistently advocates for what is right for each patient and goes beyond standard procedures to explore options and alternatives that can ease difficult decisions. His humility is equally evident when supporting colleagues and new professionals. He offers his time generously—whether through calls, emails, and travelling to different Sunnybrook sites to lend his expertise. Brian often says, "we’re all rowing the same boat." This mindset of unity and shared purpose has not only positively impacted his patients but has also strengthened the bonds among our team members.
Teresa Ianni - Music Therapist, Veterans Centre & Women and Babies NICU
Teresa has worked as a full-time music therapist at Sunnybrook since 2016 in the Veterans Program. While she has demonstrated clinical excellence in all of her work since her first day, it is important to highlight the incredible work she has done over the past year and a half to propose, develop and implement a brand-new music therapy program in the NICU, the first of its kind at Sunnybrook. Teresa is a strong advocate for the profession of music therapy, and for the positive role that music therapy can play in supporting the care that patients and families receive at Sunnybrook. Teresa believes strongly in working with others to offer excellent patient care. She collaborates closely with physicians, nursing, and allied health professionals on all of the units she works on, and is open to feedback on changing and improving her services.
Hariharan Maheswaran - Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (C3)
Hari has been a valued member of Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) team since 2016. Hari consistently demonstrates outstanding clinical skills, compassion and dedication towards his patients. His ability to pay attention to details and sound clinical judgment has enabled him to identify early signs of deterioration which led to lifesaving interventions. His person-centered approach and ability to provide support and comfort for patients and family members during challenging situations is truly inspiring. Hari goes above and beyond, whether it's mentoring new staff, engaging with patients and their families, or advocating for quality improvements in the unit. His strong work ethic and unwavering commitment for excellence not only enhances the team, but also significantly impacts the lives of the patients.
Cheryl Sarra - Registered Nurse & Charge Nurse, LTSE, Veterans Centre
Cheryl has been a nurse at Sunnybrook since 1994. Across this 30-year career, Cheryl has had a powerfully positive impact on all around her. Other nurses see Cheryl as the standard to match for excellence in nursing. Cheryl constantly demonstrates her commitment to personal accountability. It is evident in both common activities, like her excellent approach to shift report and assignment, and during extreme circumstances, as exemplified by her actions during the 2022 snowstorm. Cheryl quickly helped the team pivot to meet the emergent circumstances. Cheryl’s presence, demeanour and example created a calm environment for patients and other staff.
Laura Tsang - Pharmacist, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Laura goes above and beyond the usual requirements of her role as a clinical pharmacist in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). She goes to great lengths to be involved in clinical decision making for her patients. She has a deep understanding of the most effective drug therapies in the CVICU and is the ‘go-to’ person for everyone for questions related to cardiovascular and anesthesia medications. She is never too busy to help, doing it with a warm and welcoming approach, all while juggling a busy schedule with many responsibilities. She shows positivity with each challenge and during the pandemic she inspired those around her to try their best.
