Recognizing excellence: Nominations open for Lois Fairley Nurse of the Year Award

Nominations are open for this year’s Lois Fairley Nurse of the Year award.

Nominations are now open for the 18th annual Lois Fairley Nurse of the Year Community Service Award, which recognizes a Windsor-Essex nurse who has demonstrated excellence in patient care, advocacy, and community service.

The award honours the late Lois Fairley, a longtime registered nurse at Windsor’s Grace Hospital. Fairley, a 1955 graduate of the hospital’s nursing program, spent her career in patient care, mentoring students, and advocating for the nursing profession.

She served as head nurse in various hospital departments and held leadership roles with the Ontario Nurses’ Association and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO).

Fairley retired in 1993 but remained dedicated to improving patient care, leading fundraising efforts at the hospital. She passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service.

The award is selected and given each year by the Windsor-Essex chapter of the RNAO from nominations received by the public.

To be considered for the award, nominees must be nurses who have proven themselves as patient advocates, committed caregivers and supporters of their workplace community.

Nominations must include a 500-word letter from the nominator, detailing how the nurse exemplifies these qualities and must be submitted by April 25th.

More information on the award and the nomination process can be found online. The award presentation will take place during Nurses Week 2025.