At a reception hosted by the Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN), nine graduating students were awarded convocation prizes for leadership, academic excellence, and passion for nursing. Held on May 27th at The Neuro鈥檚 Jeanne Timmins Foyer prior to the official convocation ceremony, the reception was a joyous occasion attended by the awardees, their families, ISoN faculty and generous benefactors.
In her opening remarks, Lynne McVey, Associate Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Director of the ISoN, congratulated the students on their impressive achievements. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e shown remarkable resilience and resourcefulness, qualities that will serve you well as you embark on the next steps of your academic and/or professional journeys. And as evidenced by the awards we will present to you shortly, in a School that attracts the best and the brightest, each of you rose to the very top!鈥�
Prof. McVey also expressed gratitude to the donors whose support of nursing education at 91社区 has been outstanding: Richard and Satoko Ingram of the Ingram Foundation, Paul Marchand and Susan Avon of the Doggone Foundation, Madeleine Buck, one of the principal fundraisers behind the Margaret E. Hooton Award for Excellence, and Angelika and Angelina Mehta, whose family created the newly inaugurated Asha Mehta Hope Award.
Although unable to attend in person, Susan Avon wrote, 鈥淚 speak for the directors of the Doggone Foundation in saying that we are very proud of our role in the development of the Ingram School of Nursing鈥檚 programs and the achievements of its graduates.鈥�
Speaking on behalf of their听 father and their older sister, Anita Mehta, herself a practicing nurse affiliated with the ISoN, Angelina and Angelike Mehta described their mother Asha鈥檚 passion for nursing, resilience, fearlessness in advocating for her patients, and compassion - all of which were evident throughout her 30-year career. Having graduated from one of the most prestigious nursing schools in India, Asha Mehta then immigrated to Quebec, where she overcame many challenges including learning and passing various French exams while raising three daughters and working double-shifts across various hospitals to help support her family. 鈥淭oday, we are proud to continue her legacy through this scholarship, which we created in her name to honor the spirit, strength, and compassion she brought to the profession. We are honoured to present this award to Mariam Khatiz who embodies the same spirit and values that defined our mother鈥檚 life and career,鈥� they said.
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Congratulations to the 2025 convocation prize winners!
Mariam Khatiz 鈥� Asha Mehta Hope Award.听
This award is given to a student who has demonstrated resilience in the face of challenges, passion for and love of nursing, a commitment to pursuing a nursing career, and a belief in her ability to advocate for her patients, for herself and for the nursing profession.
Alexandra Babakhanova - Professor Margaret E. Hooton Award for Nursing Leadership. Established in 2023 by a group of graduates of the 91社区 Nursing Class of 1970, this award celebrates the life and legacy of Margaret Hooton, a master educator, astute clinician, lifelong learner and mentor who had a lasting impact on nursing education in Canada and abroad. It is awarded to a graduating BScN student for demonstrating the ability to think critically, have a global, holistic view of nursing practice issues, be a keen observer with an inquiring mind and have the potential to be an agent of change.
Marnie O鈥橞rien - Lexy L. Fellows Convocation Prize. Established in 1969 by Miss Rae Fellowes in memory of her mother, it is awarded to the student with the highest academic and professional achievement in the BScN program.
Fouad Maghamez - Evelyne Rocque Malowany Convocation Prize. Established in 2007 by Evelyn Rocque Malowany, this prize is awarded by the program directors by the program directors to a graduating student from the BScN, BNI or Master鈥檚 program for outstanding contributions to the School and the profession during his or her studies in nursing.
Daphne Giroux - Barbara Ann Altshuler Convocation Prize. Established in 2006 by David Altshuler and the Altshuler family in honour of David鈥檚 mother, Barbara Altshuler, this prize is awarded to the highest ranking BNI student on the basis of clinical and academic achievement.
Ariane Grenier - Anne Marie Hum Fong Convocation Prize. Established in 1985 by Helen Fong Hum in memory of her sister Anne Marie, this prize is awarded to a graduating undergraduate student voted by her peers and faculty as most compassionate in her nursing care.
Alexandra Claveria - F. Moyra Allen Graduation Prize. Established in honour of the distinguished career and international renown of F. Moyra Allen, B.N., Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Nursing, this prize is awarded to a graduate of the Master鈥檚 program who demonstrates leadership in the study and practice of nursing. Winners are chosen by a vote among peers and faculty.
Jacqueline Chow and Chenrui Xie听- Pearson Education Book Prizes. Courtesy of Pearson Education Canada, this prize honouring academic achievement is awarded to the second-highest ranking BNI and BScN graduating students.
