TIMMINS - A Northern Ontario healthcare leader has been recognized with a prestigious provincial award.
Lynne Innes, president and CEO of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), has received the 2024 Premier’s Award in the health sciences category.
Innes, a graduate of Northern College’s nursing program, was selected from 18 nominees in her category. She accepted the award on Nov. 25 during a ceremony in Toronto.
“It’s a really special and humbling feeling to be recognized for all the hard work that not only I participated in, but our entire team, to better the health of our region,” Innes told TimminsToday.
The award includes a bursary in Innes’ name for health sciences students at Northern College.
The inaugural bursary, funded with a $5,000 investment from Ontario Colleges, will be awarded in the New Year. Annual bursaries of $500 will follow and Innes will help create the criteria for recipients. The bursary will be part of the winter awards at Northern College.
For those considering a career in healthcare, Innes said her journey is an example of how starting at a small, local college can lead to success.
“Starting in Northern Ontario and being as accomplished as I am today, and knowing that that's where I started, I think is something that can resonate with many people,” she said.
“People don't have to go to Harvard or McGill, they can go to Northern College and be just as successful and accomplished.”
Innes hopes her award will inspire Indigenous advocates and frontline healthcare workers to drive positive change.
“I hope my recognition from this award inspires any Indigenous advocate and frontline healthcare worker to think outside the box, to be innovative, to constantly put the pressure on, be resilient, and ensure we are working toward the betterment of our people who are the hardest to reach in this province,” she said.
“Setting it up with the seven grandfather teachings, or seven sacred teachings, to always be kind, to always be humble and to do everything with love and compassion.”
For those aspiring to make a difference in healthcare, Innes said education is key.
“I think the most important thing that we can do as people is to continuously educate people about our history and a path forward, ensuring we are moving forward in a good way,” she said.
“I'm very proud to have started my educational journey at Northern College, and very proud to be a northerner and still living and working in the north.”
This marks the second consecutive year a Northern College alum has received the Premier’s Award, following Christina Kioke’s win in 2023.
SEE: Premier’s Award: Christina Kioke supports Indigenous students
Launched in 1992, the Premier’s Awards honour graduates across seven categories: business, community services, creative arts and design, health sciences, recent graduates, skilled trades, and science, technology, and engineering.
