This year’s winners have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to protecting public health care and advocating for long-term care recipients and their families.Canadian Business Journal

TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — While they contributed in unique ways, each demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the public good, the Ontario Health Coalition announced the winners of its top prize. reported to This award honors the contributions of Ontarians who have made significant contributions to public health.

“This year we have faced enormous challenges in public health. We are honored to support their efforts,” said Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition.

Winner of the Ethel Mead Award Rabbi Shalom Shaktar,Toronto
Ethel Meade was a longtime advocate for health care issues. She is Vice Chair of CareWatch (a home care advocacy group), Founder and Chair of the Ontario Coalition of Aged Organizations, Founder and Co-Chair of the Ontario Health Coalition, Member of the Secretariat for Aging, and an Ontario Advocate on Aging Issues. State Association of Social Workers Commissions, etc. Her knowledge of the health care system is encyclopedic, and she works with professionals and community organizations, as well as municipal and state levels, on the development of public policy in areas she is particularly passionate about, such as home and community care. We have also been consulted by the government of

The Ethel Mead Award was created in recognition of Ethel’s retirement from the Board of Directors of the Ontario Health Coalition to recognize that research and/or policy work has made a significant contribution to the public health system and the fight to protect it. It is given to the person who

The Ontario Health Federation is pleased to nominate Rabbi Shalom Schacter as the recipient of the Ethel Mead Award. Shalom is an executive member of the Interfaith Social Reform Alliance Coalition and a successful attorney. He is active in faith communities and has advocated for improved long-term care for decades. Shalom’s research has truly contributed to the advancement of the common good. For the Ontario Health Coalition, he calculated data for a pivotal report comparing mortality rates in for-profit long-term care facilities with non-profit and public facilities after the first wave of the pandemic. From his work with us, media chains have created their own databases and started tracking this vital information. As a result, media and public understanding of the impact of privatization in long-term care has changed significantly, fundamentally changing the debate and consideration of policy options. this problem. Recently, he helped calculate hours of care in Ontario long-term care facilities from Ontario-wide survey data. This shows that the level of care has not improved despite many promises by the Ford government.Shalom is committed to researching, providing advice and support, writing findings, working with communities, his groups and faith communities. , have spent hours educating politicians and others. We are deeply grateful for his extraordinary expertise and dedication.

Winner of the Daniel Benedict Award Barb Hogg and Brit Hancock of the Guelph Health Coalition. Linda McKenzie Nicholas of the Northumberland Health Coalition. Mary-Jo Nabuurs, Michelle Robidoux, and Julie Perl of the Greater Toronto Health Coalition. Jim Stewart and the Waterloo Health Coalition. Matthew Gventer and Joan Jardin of Kingston Health Coalition.

Daniel Benedict was awarded the Order of Canada in 1998 for his many contributions to social justice, public health, justice for the elderly, workers’ rights, education, and tireless advocate in the causes of international solidarity and global equity. it was done. He was co-chair and founding member of the Ontario Health Coalition. He has also served on the boards of many large senior citizen organizations that have been leaders in the struggle to protect public health, improve community and long-term care, and stop cutbacks and privatization. Dan speaks seven languages, holds a PhD in Economics, and has made inspiring contributions to worker education in Latin America and Canada. He is remembered around the world for his contributions to social justice in America, Latin America and Europe.

The Daniel Benedict Award, in collaboration with one of the local health coalitions, is presented annually to the person who best exemplifies the spirit of Dan Benedict’s extraordinary community work and commitment to protecting and expanding public Medicare.

Barb Hogg and Britt Hancock are co-chairs of the newly formed Guelph District Health Coalition. They have stepped up and led the fight to protect public health in their communities, built new local health coalitions, spent hours learning about issues, tirelessly engaged in public education and advocacy, informed and publicized It traversed counties in the region to provide education. , attending events, conducting outreach and working with local media. Britt also advances equity issues that affect people with disabilities at every opportunity. Barb has a very strong sense of responsibility and compassion for her community, which she brings to every aspect of her work. Both of these women have demonstrated a truly remarkable commitment to protecting and improving health care in their communities.

Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas is Chair of the Northumberland Health Coalition. She has dedicated her life to educating and advocating for social change and improving conditions for healthcare professionals and patients. She has helped stop cuts in local hospital services and has led local work to improve long-term care care and conditions throughout the pandemic. , designed and developed a large-scale survey that it organized for distribution to long-term care staff on the conditions of long-term care facilities in Halliburton. She organized the regional release of major reports based on her research and advocated for improved standards of care.

Mary-Jo Nabuurs, Julie Perl, and Michelle Robidoux are members of the Greater Toronto Health Coalition. They have organized and participated in numerous rallies and protests to improve care in long-term care. Mary-Jo has led the movement to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public. Not only did Michel create weekly open market tables, produce public education and advocacy materials, and organize people to join the fight to protect public health and stop privatization, but she also created abortion rights, peace has also been a champion of social justice. Julie continues to work tirelessly and advocates for her mother and all Ontarians in long-term care to address the care crisis. She’s always there, always very helpful, engaging with family councils and others, and speaking up with amazing courage.

Jim Stewart is chairman of the Kitchener-Waterloo Health Coalition. He has led community organizing and advocacy to improve public health and stop privatization. He has inspired and organized dozens of pop-up events, assembled a truly impressive team of organizers, and advocated for an end to the privatization of local hospitals. The commitment has been truly extraordinary and has supported community health coalitions throughout Ontario.

Matthew Gventer and Joan Jardin are leaders of the Kingston Health Coalition. They have been hosting his three weekly events at Kingston’s busy intersection for months. Their commitment to educating and organizing the Kingston community is unwavering. They work to protect public health care, organize public meetings and events on the care crisis in long-term care, support community action, and hold press conferences and referendums to stop privatization and cutbacks. , has written articles, done public outreach, and has actually grown. Excellent public education and advocacy material.

The Orville Football Award was presented to Bonnie Law of the Halliburton Long Term Care Coalition. Helen Lee of the Halton Health Coalition. Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos, Elderly Advocate in Toronto.

Orville was deeply involved in social issues affecting Canadian families, especially the elderly. He is a member of the Ontario Health Coalition and Kitchener He was the founder and co-chair of the Waterloo Community Health Coalition. He was a veteran, veteran of the Corps, a tireless political campaigner, and a staunch supporter of social justice.

The Orville Thacker Award recognizes extraordinary efforts and contributions to improving quality public health for older adults in Ontario. It is awarded to individuals or organizations that have voluntarily contributed to the principles of fairness, equity and compassion, the fundamental principles of the Canadian Health Act that underlie Canada’s public Medicare.

Bonnie Law is chairman and founder of the Halliburton Highland Long-Term Care Coalition, and has been a strong force in public health care, especially in protecting long-term care residents of the community. To organize highly active and effective local coalitions, meet with local politicians, create petitions to gather thousands of signatures to improve long-term care, and highlight the care crisis in long-term care. has organized and participated in countless events in Her dedication to her community is truly extraordinary.

Helen Lee chaired Mon Sheong’s Family Council and has long championed the rights of the elderly and those in nursing homes. Helen’s grandmother died while in long-term care after contracting COVID-19. Helen is active in the Chinese community and has worked tirelessly to educate her family council and the Chinese community about the long-term care situation and spread her awareness. Helen has helped organize research into living and care conditions, organized public advocacy events several times a week in Halton, and reached out to family councils and a series of organizations to get them involved. Helen has a deep concern for older people and our public healthcare system and has devoted her time, extraordinary talent and supportive heart.

Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos is an exceptional advocate for older people, especially long-term care. During her professional life, she conducted her major new research on her family caregivers. After her grandmother passed away in long-term care just before the pandemic, Dr. V, like other awardees, is known to her affectionately for the poor conditions of life and care she received effectively. I became a spokesperson. She works tirelessly, working day in and day out to push issues and put pressure on politicians. She organized her family and was their advocate. Fearless and relentlessly honest, her contribution to Dr. V’s struggle to protect and improve healthcare and stop privatization has been truly extraordinary.

It is our privilege to recognize these wonderful people. They are our state heroes and we are proud to work with them.

For more information: Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, (416) 230-6402

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