ARNM Honours Manitoba Nurses and Health-Care Teams at 2026 Celebration of Excellence
More than 200 nurses, family members, colleagues, health-care leaders, and community partners gathered in Winnipeg on Thursday evening for the 2026 Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) Celebration of Excellence - an evening dedicated to recognizing the remarkable contributions of nurses and nursing teams across Manitoba.
Held at Canad Inns Polo Park, the annual event continues to grow each year, reflecting both the strength of Manitoba’s nursing profession and the importance of recognizing excellence in nursing leadership, education, research, advocacy, clinical care, and teamwork.
The evening featured the presentation of the 2026 Professional Nursing Awards, recognizing nurses and interprofessional teams whose work is making a meaningful difference in health care and communities throughout the province.
Guests also heard greetings from Carla Compton, MLA for Tuxedo, nurse of more than 18 years, Premier’s Advisor on Nursing Culture & Safety, and Co-chair of the Provincial Healthcare Advisory Table, as well as Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot of the Keewatin Tribal Council. Their remarks highlighted the impact nurses continue to have across Manitoba’s health-care system and the importance of supporting and strengthening the profession.
The evening was hosted by ARNM Executive Director Joyce Kristjansson and ARNM Board Member and Chair of the ARNM Scholarship Committee Shellie Anderson, who guided attendees through an evening focused on celebration, connection, and recognition.
Throughout the program, recipients were recognized not only for professional achievement, but for the compassion, leadership, mentorship, innovation, and collaboration they bring to nursing practice every day.
This year’s award recipients represented a broad range of practice areas and communities across Manitoba, from rural and northern care settings to post-secondary education, research, acute care, long-term care, oncology, Indigenous health, and digital health innovation.
2026 Professional Nursing Awards Recipients
Advocacy Award
- Svetlana Gussakovsky
Clinical Nursing Practice – Acute Care
- Erin Hertz
Administration Award
- Louise Segui
- Allyson Cooper
- Fleur McEvoy
Education Award
- Janeth Sawatzky
- Jacqueline Santiago
- Tiffany Barker
- Stephanie Nunes
- Kimberly Sefton
- Shakerah Jones Hall
- Lisa Banman
- Karen Di Pietro
Research Award
- Dr. Lisa Knisley
Outstanding Nursing Unit, Program, or Interprofessional Team Award
- Beausejour District Hospital Acute Care Team
- Keewatin Tribal Council Nursing Team
- PMH Western Manitoba Cancer Centre
- UCN Nursing Faculty
- St. Boniface Antepartum & Gynecology
- Misericordia Personal Care Home
- Shared Health Alternative Integrated Accommodation
Legacy Award
- Kelly Hinds
- Tracey Fallak
- Laverne Sturtevant
- Dr. Lynn Scruby
ARNM extends sincere congratulations to all recipients and nominees honoured during this year’s Celebration of Excellence. Their leadership, dedication, and commitment to high-quality care continue to strengthen the nursing profession and improve health outcomes for Manitobans across the province.