IWK Health is proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement at this year's Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) recognition event, where both an outstanding individual and our organization were honored for their commitment to advancing nursing practice and workforce development.
Karen Hall was recognized as Internationally Educated Nurse of the Year, an award that acknowledges exceptional leadership, dedication, professional excellence, and contributions to patient care. Karen's achievement reflects her commitment to lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and the positive impact she has made on colleagues, patients, and families. Her recognition highlights the valuable contributions internationally educated nurses make to our healthcare system and the strength that diversity brings to our workforce. Karen currently works on our Pediatric Medical Unit.
IWK Health was also honored to receive the IEN Employer of the Year Award, recognizing the organization's ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for internationally educated nurses. This award celebrates the collective efforts of leaders, educators, professional practice teams, and staff who work together to support recruitment, orientation, mentorship, professional development, and successful integration into practice. This award was made possible by the hard unwavering support of Barbara Blays, the Advanced Support Lead for Internationally Educated Nurses at IWK Health.
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These awards reflect IWK Health's dedication to fostering a culture where internationally educated nurses are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are proud of Karen's achievement and grateful to all those who contribute to creating a workplace where diverse experiences and perspectives strengthen the care we provide to children, youth, women, and families across Nova Scotia.
Please join us in congratulating Karen Hall and all those who have contributed to making IWK Health a recognized leader in supporting internationally educated nurses.
Congratulations, Karen, and congratulations to the entire IWK Health team on this outstanding accomplishment.