Meet the winners of the St. Michael’s Our Shared Values Awards
On Sept. 29, 2026, staff, physicians, learners, volunteers and patient family partners from St. Michael’s came together to celebrate the 2026 Our Shared Values Awards on St. Michael’s Feast Day.
This year’s Our Shared Values Award recipients represent a wide range of contributions across our organization. Among them are:
- A team that fosters meaningful connections with patients and families;
- An administrative professional who builds community through compassion;
- A nursing leader whose influence has shaped practice for decades;
- A research advocate driving innovation in public health;
- A communicator who helps create a culture of belonging;
- A patient and family partner whose perspective continues to strengthen care;
- A team committed to finding sustainable ways to reduce waste in kidney dialysis; and,
- A respected leader whose genuine care for others has helped create a culture where people feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
These are the winners of the 2026 Our Shared Values Awards at St. Michael’s who have been recognized for going above and beyond to embody Unity Health’s values of human dignity, compassion, excellence, community and inclusivity. Read on for some of their stories in the words of those who nominated them.
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St. Michael’s Hospital Visitor Services Team | Human Dignity
A defining strength of the St. Michael’s Visitor Services Team is their ability to help people feel seen. They take the time to get to know patients and families, often learning their names, preferences and personal stories. In turn, patients remember them, ask about them and look forward to seeing familiar faces on future visits.
Beyond these meaningful connections, the team plays a critical role in upholding human dignity during some of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s journey. Whether supporting patients who require assistance with personal care, responding to medical emergencies, connecting individuals in crisis with appropriate services, providing first aid or helping community members access care, the team consistently leads with compassion, attentiveness and respect.
Alana Persaud, Clerical Assistant, Home Dialysis | Compassion
Colleagues and patients alike describe Alana as attentive, organized and deeply compassionate. Whether ensuring specialized supplies are available when needed, helping patients navigate their appointments with greater ease, or stepping in to support colleagues without hesitation, she consistently goes above and beyond to make others feel cared for and supported.
Her commitment extends far beyond the responsibilities of her role. When an unexpected facilities issue required the immediate relocation of medical supplies, Alana quickly developed a plan, coordinated logistics and personally helped complete the move so patient care would not be disrupted. As one leader noted, while others were focused on delivering care, Alana ensured they had the resources they needed to do so.
Cecilia Santiago, Manager, Nursing Practice | Excellence
In her 31-year nursing career, including 26 years at St. Michael’s, Cecilia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, quality care and lifelong learning. For the past 12 years, she has made significant contributions to nursing and interprofessional practice through her leadership in research, education and quality improvement.
An adjunct lecturer with the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and a practice-based researcher at Unity Health, Cecilia has authored more than 15 peer reviewed publications, delivered dozens of presentations, secured numerous grants and mentored countless clinicians and Nurse Champion projects. Known for her expertise in policy, evidence-based practice and quality improvement, she is committed to advancing care through collaboration and innovation.
One example of Cecilia’s impact is her leadership on a WeRPN-funded study examining the impact of a novel nursing shift assignment toolkit on role clarity and interprofessional collaboration. The project has helped inform approaches to supporting nurse workload and well-being, with findings shared provincially and helping to shape future Epic design work to support equitable nursing assignments.
Zoe Ramirez-Reeves, Research Coordinator and Corporate / General Counsel | Excellence
Through her legal expertise, strategic insight and collaborative approach, Zoe has played a key role in advancing innovation in public health research and improving access to care for people living with and affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
Her contributions have helped reduce barriers to testing, prevention and care, supporting more equitable access to health services across Canada. A notable example is her work on Our Healthbox, a network of smart vending machines that provide low-barrier access to essential health supplies, including HIV self-tests, naloxone kits and other wellness resources.
By helping establish strong legal, regulatory and intellectual property frameworks, Zoe supported the successful launch of this innovative program in partnership with Indigenous, urban and remote communities. Through her work, she has helped create new pathways to care for people where they are and reduce barriers associated with geography, stigma and systemic inequities.
Kevin Van Paassen, Communications Advisor Media and Digital Strategy | Community
Kevin is known for creating a sense of belonging by making others feel seen, valued and included. While he often shines a spotlight on others, much of his impact happens quietly behind the scenes through thoughtful acts of kindness and an unwavering attention to the needs of those around him.
Colleagues describe Kevin as someone with a remarkable ability to notice what others might miss, whether it’s finding more inclusive ways to tell a story or recognizing when someone may feel overlooked. As a photographer, he takes care to ensure people feel comfortable and respected, demonstrating his belief that everyone should have a choice in how they are represented.
His thoughtfulness extends to everyday interactions. One colleague recalled mentioning a dietary restriction in passing, only to have Kevin remember months later during a holiday gift exchange. When the colleague received a gift, they could not use, Kevin quietly swapped gifts to ensure they felt included and considered. For those who know him, this small gesture reflects a larger pattern of care, empathy and genuine connection that helps strengthen the sense of community around him.
Harry Ennis, Patient and Family Partner, Patient Experience | Inclusivity
Harry exemplifies inclusivity through his unwavering commitment to ensuring patients and families feel heard, respected and represented. As a patient and family partner, he brings an equity and accessibility lens to every conversation, advocating for experiences that are welcoming, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
Guided by a simple but powerful question, “How will this work for everyone?”, Harry helps ensure that patient perspectives remain at the centre of decision-making. Through his thoughtful contributions, he has helped strengthen patient-facing resources, improve access to information and reduce barriers that may prevent individuals from fully participating in their care.
As Co-Chair of the Patient Family Council, Harry fostered an environment where people felt comfortable sharing their perspectives and experiences. He is known for creating space for others to contribute, encouraging meaningful dialogue and helping ensure diverse voices are heard and valued.
Through his leadership, advocacy and collaborative approach, Harry has influenced countless conversations, decisions and improvements across the organization. By consistently championing equity, accessibility and belonging, he has helped create a culture where patients and families feel welcomed, supported and empowered to participate in their care.
Central Acid Delivery System | Spotlight on Sustainability
The Central Acid Delivery System team is demonstrating how innovation can improve both sustainability and patient care. Recognizing the significant amount of waste generated by traditional dialysis systems, the team identified an opportunity to reduce the volume of unused acid concentrate discarded after treatments.
By developing and implementing a centralized acid delivery system that uses larger drums of acid concentrate, the team significantly reduced waste, improved operational efficiency and generated more than $54,000 in cost savings in just over a year. The solution also ensures a reliable acid supply for dialysis stations, reducing the need for frequent changes during patient care.
Unique to St. Michael’s, this innovation has attracted attention beyond the organization. The team has shared its work with colleagues across Canada, inspiring other organizations to explore similar approaches that advance environmental sustainability while supporting high-quality care.
Victoria Wen, Clinical Manager, Medicine General Internal Medicine 3 | Ella Ferris Culture of Leading
Victoria Wen leads with authenticity, compassion and a deep commitment to people. Known for her relational approach to leadership, she takes the time to get to know staff as individuals, fostering a culture where people feel valued, supported and connected to a shared purpose.
Through her ability to build trust across disciplines, roles and levels of experience, Victoria creates an environment where collaboration thrives and people feel empowered to grow. Whether supporting frontline staff, learners, physicians or colleagues, she consistently leads with integrity, respect and empathy, creating psychological safety and a strong sense of belonging.
Victoria’s impact can be seen in the countless everyday interactions that shape a positive workplace culture. By showing up for her team, listening with intention and celebrating the contributions of others, she has inspired those around her and strengthened the experience of both staff and patients. Her leadership demonstrates that meaningful change is built through genuine connection, compassion and consistent care for others.
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