2026 Excellence in Healthcare Award Winners Announced

The Municipality of Inverness County proudly celebrated the outstanding contributions of local healthcare professionals at the second annual Awards for Excellence in Healthcare gala, held on April 22, at the Canton Culturel de Chéticamp.

More than 200 guests gathered to honour deserving award recipients from across Inverness County. This year, several new award categories were introduced to recognize the many partners involved in the circle of care.

2026 Award Recipients:

• Outstanding Doctor – Dr. Suze Egar, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
• Outstanding Nurse – Jessica Deveaux, Sacred Heart Community Health Centre
• Outstanding Long-Term Care Professional– Cathy Spence, Foyer Père Fiset
• Outstanding Mental Health Care Professional – Adam Matthews, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
• Outstanding Allied Health Professional – Brenda Rankin, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
• Outstanding Youth Healthcare Professional (30 years and under) – Hallie MacEachern, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
• Outstanding Support Services Professional – Jenny MacDonald, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital & Betty Deveaux, Chéticamp Medical Clinic
• Outstanding Direct Patience Care Professional – Janet Fortune, Inverary Manor
• Excellence in Community Health and Wellness (Group or Volunteer) – The Inverness County Singers

In addition, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Michael Ojoleck, a recently retired dentist who practiced out of Port Hood for over 40 years, providing oral healthcare to generations of residents throughout the county.

“Tonight was a true celebration of many of our county’s finest healthcare professionals,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac. “Inverness County is a place where people not only live and work but also thrive. Events like this highlight the strength and dedication of those who care for our communities.”

Each award recipient received a unique stained-glass ornament handcrafted by local Acadian artist Polycarpe LeBlanc of Polycarpe Glass Art. The designs reflect the natural beauty of their home communities.

Attendees enjoyed an evening of diverse cultural entertainment, including traditional Celtic and Acadian music, Chinese and Colombian dance, Mi’kmaq and African drumming, and a healthcare recruitment video showcasing opportunities in Inverness County.

The Awards for Excellence in Healthcare were made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Event Sponsor –  Zutphen Contractors Inc., along with Cabot Cape Breton, Judy Intelligence, The Dancing Goat, Acadian Credit Union, Freeman’s Pharmacy, Cape Breton University, Cape Breton Medical Campus, Lake Shore Living, Doctors Nova Scotia, New Dawn Enterprises, the Multicultural Association of Cape Breton, Parks Canada, Cabot Trail Lavender, Nova Soapia, and Walker’s Preservery.