The Canadian Lung Association announces its 2011 award winning volunteers and staff
The Canadian Lung Association salutes its award-winning volunteers and staff for their contributions to improving lung health.
"Across Canada, we are blessed with thousands of dedicated volunteers and dozens of employees who are passionate about our cause – helping Canadians breathe easier," says Heather Borquez, CEO and president of the Canadian Lung Association.
"Our organization was founded more than 100 years ago by volunteers and health-care professionals, whose diligent work helped build our public health system in Canada and improved the lung health of all Canadians. Today, our dedicated volunteers and staff continue this great tradition. We are delighted to recognize the outstanding work, commitment and passion of three individuals who have had a positive impact on the lung health of Canadians in the past year."
The 2011 award winners are:
Jo-Anne Douglas
Alan J. McFarlane Staff Award: Jo-Anne Douglas
Jo-Anne Douglas has a long history of standing up for those affected by second-hand smoke and providing help to those who want to quit smoking.
Since joining the Manitoba Lung Association in 1986, Jo-Anne has been a strong leader in tobacco reduction initiatives and has been instrumental in positively affecting the lung health of Manitobans.
"She is very passionate about the cause," says Margaret Bernhardt-Lowdon, Executive Director of the Manitoba Lung Association. "People just love Jo-Anne. She has a no-nonsense attitude. She really gets things done."
Jo-Anne has been a leader in the work towards bans on smoking in workplaces and public places in Manitoba. "The advocacy work that Jo-Anne tackled has been challenging. For example, when she stood up against the tobacco industry and spoke out about their ‘Operation ID’ program she was ostracized and threatened. Jo-Anne persevered in these situations with quiet determination and grace," says Margaret.
Jo-Anne developed an awareness campaign encouraging parents and caregivers to not smoke around children. This Car and Home: Smoke free for me campaign was instrumental in the Manitoba ban on smoking in cars where children are present. Jo-Anne continues to advocate for the protection of children from second-hand smoke.
Jo-Anne played an important role in the development and implementation of a smoking cessation program for teens (N.O.T. on Tobacco) and a smoking prevention program for children in grades 4 to 6 (Lungs are for Life).
She secured provincial funding to develop and implement a train-the-trainer model for Lungs are for Life. As a result, this program is now taught by health professionals in most of Manitoba’s regional health authorities.Lungs are for Life was recently highlighted in a promotional video for Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors and at a provincial schools conference as an effective and innovative school health program and partnership.
Jo-Anne was one of the founding members and an active chairperson of the Council for a Tobacco Free Manitoba, which later became the Manitoba Reduction Alliance (MANTRA), a coalition of non-profit organizations focusing on tobacco reduction activities. Jo-Anne was on the MANTRA board for two years and continues to be highly involved in their activities and strategies to reduce tobacco use.
Recently, Jo-Anne worked with the provincial government to launch the province’s firstManitoba Quits – a smoking cessation contest. "More than 1,500 Manitobans entered this contest and received ongoing support through emails and on Facebook. The response from the contestants and the public was very positive," says Margaret.
Jo-Anne is also an active member of the Tobacco Control Working Group of the Canadian Lung Association and was on the advisory committee that wrote the "Making Quit Happen" report.
Brian Connick
Lifetime Achievement Award: Brian Connick
"Whether it was running the annual Lung Run, picking up local community donations, providing expert medical advice, chairing board meetings or simply representing our organization. Brian Connick has made a massive contribution to the lung health of all Nova Scotians," says Louis Brill, president CEO of the Lung Association of Nova Scotia.
Brian first joined the Lung Association of Nova Scotia Board in 1975 and has served in every role including Chair from 2006 to 2008. Brian also served the community professionally as a senior respiratory therapist for more than 30 years.
As Chairman of the Board, Brian brought a respectful and passionate approach to the table and this spirit spread. His calm and strong demeanour united the board and provided motivation for the staff to succeed.
"He has certainly made the organization much stronger and well positioned to serve into the future," adds Louis.
Bertha Scofield and Mary Basha
Founders Award: Bertha Schofield
Bertha Schofield has provided incredible support to the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association, serving on the Board of Directors, as Past President of the Newfoundland & Labrador Nurses Respiratory Society, as past Chair of the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals and Past member of the Canadian Lung Association Board.
Bertha is a volunteer member with the Lung Savers Group and sit on the steering committee of the National Lung Framework. She is also a member of the Lung Association’s National Environmental Issues Working Group, the Canadian Respiratory Conference Partner Executive, the Leadership Council, the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals and the Newfoundland & Labrador Nurses Respiratory Society.
Bertha holds a Diploma in Nursing from the General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Nursing and Masters in Education Degrees from Memorial University and is a Certified COPD Educator.
"Bertha has been extremely generous to the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association over the past years, giving of her time, energy, and expertise. She has made an outstanding contribution to the organization and to lung health in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador," says Mary Basha, past chair of the board for the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association.
