
Overall Award Recipient | Highest Overall Score
GPA was implemented in Vancouver General Hospital and Older Adult Tertiary Mental Health (OATMH) in 2013. It is embraced by staff in a positive collaboration with the mental health teams. GPA is an established part of staff education at OATMH and acute medicine and with support from VCH leadership, is accessible to staff across disciplines.

ᒪᓕᒐᓕᐅᖅᑎ ᐅᓐᓇ: | Honourable Mention
Currently when Inuit elders develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias they are sent to the south — Ottawa Embassy West — very far away from their loved ones. In 2018, with the support of the Government of Nunavut, Diane Graham, Healthcare Manager for Home and Community Care and a GPA Certified Coach began introducing GPA to this northern territory. The goal in providing dementia education in Nunavut is to allow its elders to stay closer to home longer.

GPA Leadership Excellence ‘with distinction’
One Saturday during an Adult Day Program at the Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County (ASWE) one of the group’s participants suddenly got up, left the activities and exited the building. What happened next? The team’s GPA training kicked in! Read Tom’s story and other insights about GPA in action at ASWE.

GPA Leadership Excellence ‘with distinction’
Sherbrooke Community Centre is home to 263 residents and 100 Community Day Program participants, supported by more than 500 staff, 400 volunteers, families, friends, students and quite a few furry pets! GPA was implemented in 2010. Before taking their first shift, new staff must complete a GPA education session. Currently, 100% of staff have participated in GPA and 93.1% have completed GPA-Recharged to refresh their knowledge and skills.

GPA Leadership Excellence ‘with distinction’
Halton Healthcare introduced GPA into the acute care setting in 2014 with two GPA Certified Coaches. Fast forward to 2018 — the number of coaches has now more than quadrupled across all three sites and coaches come from a variety of roles and programs. GPA education sessions rotate monthly between sites and include staff from the point-of-care, allied health, medical personnel, diagnostic imaging, unit clerks, housekeeping, dietary staff and volunteers.