VHA is made up of caring and committed people who truly want to help and love what they do.

In every role, VHA team members lead with purpose, build bonds that matter, and are passionate about providing high quality care, with great heart, to the communities we serve.

VHA’s annual Client Choice Awards give clients and families an opportunity to nominate and recognize care providers who have really made a difference in their lives. Nominations were collected in April and May of 2023.

“We’re excited to share that we received nearly 700 nominations this year, setting a new record for highest amount of nominations received in a given Client Choice Award term. Thank you to the many clients and families who took time to share their care stories with us,” says Kelley Myers, Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Development.

Client Choice Award winners receive a financial award and an engraved plaque. A special tribute video is also created to highlight their unique contributions and impact. Our selection committee had the daunting task of selecting 10 winners. This year, we have added a new category, Honorable Mention, to celebrate individuals who have received multiple nominations, including some who are nominated year after year.

We can’t wait to announce our winners and celebrate with our nominees this September at VHA’s Staff and Service Provider Recognition Party, a special night of fun, festivities and most importantly, recognition of the incredible contributions of our team members including those have recently retired and those who are marking new milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service at VHA.

“By celebrating these success stories and outstanding achievements of our care providers, it inspires and promotes a culture of client and family centered care which is what really matters to us,” says Dan Uzelac, Director, People and Culture.

On that celebratory note, we wanted to share with you just a few moving nominations that clients sent in this year. Please note that personal details have been removed to maintain privacy and edited for length and clarity.

“[My PSW] has been helping me while I’ve been battling Stage 4 cancer. She has been caring for me with such compassion, patience, and professionalism! I’m blessed to have her helping me through this to regain my strength and independence.”

“I cannot nominate just one nurse who takes care of my daughter because the entire team who deliver care to her are deserving of this award as they are all exceptional. They provide high quality care in an integrated and collaborative way.  As my daughter’s needs have increased, they provide a safe and seamless continuity of care.”

“Our scheduling coordinator’s efficiency, helpfulness, and attentive listening skills make her an exceptional candidate for this recognition. What sets her apart is her genuine willingness to go above and beyond. She accommodates last-minute changes, resolves conflicts, and finds innovative solutions with empathy and patience.”

“The care provider I’d like to nominate is the best Occupational Therapist I have ever met. After I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, I was devastated, the whole world closed to me. Thanks to her, I regained my freedom and independence.”

Although every client’s story is unique, in reading our 2023 Client Choice nominations – one thing is very clear – the Personal Support Workers, Nurses, Rehabilitation Therapists, Cleaners, and Scheduling Coordinators who provide care to their clients do so no matter what with compassion, dedication and of course, heart.

Please see a complete list of 2023 Client Choice Award nominees below and check out stories about our previous winners on our YouTube channel

2023 Client Choice Award Nominees

Name of Nominee	Job Title
Agustina Haynes	Personal Support Worker
Al Vincent Chio	Personal Support Worker
Aleli Yumol	Personal Support Worker
Alesia Francis	Personal Support Worker
Alexandra Lizano	Personal Support Worker
Alma Mendoza	Personal Support Worker
Alma Pineda	Personal Support Worker
Almaz Abebe	Personal Support Worker
Almohena Mendoza	Personal Support Worker
Alyssa Becker	Occupational Therapist
Amalia Vitto	Personal Support Worker
Amelia Baduya	Personal Support Worker
Amor Buntag	Personal Support Worker
Ana Marie Baltazar	Personal Support Worker
Anabel Mueller	Personal Support Worker
Angelica Balagot	Occupational Therapist
Ann Yvonne Gill	Personal Support Worker
Anna Tan	Registered Nurse
Anne-Marie Majer	Personal Support Worker
Annette Hall	Extreme Cleaner
Anupa Hundani	Physiotherapist
Arcely Roxas	Personal Support Worker
Aries Sanchez	Personal Support Worker
Arnie Aquino	Personal Support Worker
Arlene Nunez	Personal Support Worker
Ashita Ritchie	Registered Nurse
Ashley Laplante	Extreme Cleaner
Audrey Letouze	Physiotherapist
Aurorita Cruz	Personal Support Worker
Avelino Flauta	Personal Support Worker
Barbara Croal	Personal Support Worker
Beatriz Cawis	Personal Support Worker
Belinda Chico Mendoza	Personal Support Worker
Bella Li	Personal Support Worker
Beratriz Aguilar	Registered Practical Nurse
Betty Ducosin	Personal Support Worker
Bibi Khan	Personal Support Worker
Brenda Charles	Personal Support Worker
Brendalyn McDonald	Personal Support Worker
Bridget Afe	Personal Support Worker
Carlos Garcia	Personal Support Worker
Carlos Herrera	Personal Support Worker
Carmen Bayle	Personal Support Worker
Carmen Villatoro	Personal Support Worker
Caroline Asemota	Personal Support Worker
Cassandra Sam	Personal Support Worker
Chandra Naipaul	Personal Support Worker
Charmin Sinnette	Personal Support Worker
Cherry Ann Cervales	Personal Support Worker
Cheryl Esteban	Personal Support Worker
Chona Junsay	Personal Support Worker
Christine Froude	Personal Support Worker
Colleen Beaumont	Personal Support Worker
Colleen Crosbie	Personal Support Worker
Concepcion Talisayon	Personal Support Worker
Cricilda Escabellas	Personal Support Worker
Criselda Gabisan	Personal Support Worker
Curtis Hiemstra	Occupational Therapist
Dawattie Sankar	Personal Support Worker
Dely Paraiso	Personal Support Worker
Denise Morgan	Personal Support Worker
Dian Hoyte	Personal Support Worker
Dolores Manuel	Personal Support Worker
Dona Dinulong	Personal Support Worker
Donnabella Labasan	Personal Support Worker
Edna Babao	Personal Support Worker
Eileen Navarro	Personal Support Worker
Elda Cabauatan	Personal Support Worker
Elizabeth Olalemi	Child And Family Support Worker
Eloise Glasgow	Personal Support Worker
Elvira Pangilinan	Personal Support Worker
Emelita Maria Soriano	Personal Support Worker
Emelyn Del Rosario	Personal Support Worker
Erhieyovwe Momodu	Personal Support Worker
Erlinda Perez	Personal Support Worker
Ethlyn Francis	Personal Support Worker
Farida Kamran	Occupational Therapist
Faustina Adjei	Personal Support Worker
Favour Jolly	Personal Support Worker
Fe Morante	Personal Support Worker
Felicia Mensah	Personal Support Worker
Fritzie Manibog	Personal Support Worker
Genesis Gallardo	Operations Support Staff
Gina Fernandez	Personal Support Worker
Giovanna Di Matteo	Personal Support Worker
Girlyn Dinulong	Personal Support Worker
Glenda Dela Cruz	Personal Support Worker
Grace Sem	Personal Support Worker
Hannah Mahon	Occupational Therapist
Hannah Njenga	Personal Support Worker
Hazel Florida	Personal Support Worker
Heather Schneider	Personal Support Worker
Helen Chen	Personal Support Worker
Helen Astillero	Home Support Worker
Holly Woo	Personal Support Worker
Irene Estrada	Personal Support Worker
Irene Tejada	Personal Support Worker
Ivy Yap	Personal Support Worker
Janette Blas	Personal Support Worker
Jasodra Bacchus	Personal Support Worker
Jeanette Ong	Registered Nurse
Jenny He	Personal Support Worker
Jeremay Ramiscal	Personal Support Worker
Jessilyn Biscocho	Personal Support Worker
Jeya Kaneshalingam	Personal Support Worker
Joan Bissoondyal	Personal Support Worker
Joan Marshall	Personal Support Worker
Joemarie Castro	Personal Support Worker
Joveline Tun	Personal Support Worker
Joynie Llanto	Personal Support Worker
Judith Apps	Physiotherapist
Judith Doctolero	Personal Support Worker
Julie Ann Sambajon	Registered Practical Nurse
Jullie Ann Sayco	Personal Support Worker
Junalyn Calaro	Personal Support Worker
Kafayat Olalere	Personal Support Worker
Kaila Jonsen	Personal Support Worker
Karen Harkins	Personal Support Worker
Kasepae Mendono	Personal Support Worker
Kharina Villagomez	Personal Support Worker
Kimberly Mcfadden	Personal Support Worker
Kristine Aleah Alvarado	Personal Support Worker
Kuneta Kanhai	Personal Support Worker
Kyra Kielesinski	Child And Family Support Worker
Lailanie De Ocampo	Personal Support Worker
Laneer Pirote	Personal Support Worker
Laxmi Baral	Personal Support Worker
Lei Zhang	Registered Practical Nurse
Leigh Scholl	Registered Nurse
Leilyn Baranda	Personal Support Worker
Lelivet Cortez	Personal Support Worker
LemLem Khsay	Personal Support Worker
Lenora Rawlinsmoses	Personal Support Worker
Leonila Alcantara	Personal Support Worker
Lili Ann Morales	Personal Support Worker
Lilibeth Hill	Personal Support Worker
Lilly Li Feng Hua	Personal Support Worker
Linda Dunlop	Personal Support Worker
Lorelie Baysa Laurente	Registered Practical Nurse
Lorna Powell	Personal Support Worker
Lu Rios	Personal Support Worker
Lubaba Ayane	Personal Support Worker
Lucy Bourgeois	Office Assistant
Luisa Llanes	Personal Support Worker
Luzuiminda Ancheta	Personal Support Worker
Ma Elena Alipat	Personal Support Worker
Ma Lomahan	Personal Support Worker
Mae Anne Magdirila	Personal Support Worker
Mae Magdaluyo	Registered Practical Nurse
Maggie Tang	Occupational Therapist
Magnan Bamba	Personal Support Worker
Maksim Barolli	Personal Support Worker
Malik Hudani	Physiotherapist
Margaret Mensah	Registered Nurse
Maria Casido	Personal Support Worker
Maria Lercy Del Sole	Personal Support Worker
Maria Reyes	Personal Support Worker
Marie Persaud	Personal Support Worker
Marie Quinto	Personal Support Worker
Marie St. Amour	Personal Support Worker
Marilou Sabuero	Personal Support Worker
Marilyn Eclar	Personal Support Worker
Marivic Resultan	Personal Support Worker
Marjorie Estrada	Personal Support Worker
Marsha Dzieciol	Personal Support Worker
Marshalene Drummond	Personal Support Worker
Mary Benliro	Scheduling Coordinator
Mary Dammit	Personal Support Worker
Mary Jane Ramil	Personal Support Worker
Mathivathany Nithiyananthan	Personal Support Worker
Maureen Blair	Personal Support Worker
May Cabural	Personal Support Worker
Maylene Guanzon	Personal Support Worker
Meaghan Sturges	Personal Support Worker
Medhanit Negusse	Personal Support Worker
Melanie Tabugsoc	Personal Support Worker
Melecia Joseph	Personal Support Worker
Meng Zhu	Personal Support Worker
Merlin Brown	Personal Support Worker
Meselu Teka	Personal Support Worker
Meseret Woldeselassie	Personal Support Worker
Mica Ledesma	Registered Practical Nurse
Michelle Garcia	Personal Support Worker
Michelle Salanga	Personal Support Worker
Mike Adam Kowalska	Occupational Therapist Assistant / Physiotherapist Assistant
Molina Marquez	Personal Support Worker
Mpanzu Mputu	Personal Support Worker
Munira Emamshifa	Home Support Worker
Murayo Guled	Personal Support Worker
Mylene Bayaoa	Personal Support Worker
Najwa Mahfouz	Registered Nurse
Nancy Garcia	Personal Support Worker
Naneth Castro	Personal Support Worker
Naya Kumi	Personal Support Worker
Ndodyei (Mercy) Makombese	Personal Support Worker
Nena Javier	Personal Support Worker
Nenita Purisima	Personal Support Worker
Nicole Jones	Occupational Therapist
Nilla Aman	Personal Support Worker
Nora Palacio	Personal Support Worker
Nurun Rupa	Personal Support Worker
Odette Asuncion	Personal Support Worker
Olivia Oliphant	Personal Support Worker
Patrisha Alkuino	Personal Support Worker
Perlita Felicita	Personal Support Worker
Perlyn De Luna	Personal Support Worker
Preeta Persaud	Personal Support Worker
Princesita Perin	Personal Support Worker
Qi Fen (Annie) Liang	Personal Support Worker
Ranjini Vaikunthavasan	Personal Support Worker
Raquel Adecer	Personal Support Worker
Raquel Gabriel	Personal Support Worker
Rebecca Quiocho	Personal Support Worker
Regat Ogbasilasie	Personal Support Worker
Remdemeir Cueto	Personal Support Worker
Rhonalissa Bodington	Personal Support Worker
Ria Samuel	Personal Support Worker
Ridwan Abdi	Personal Support Worker
Rita Persaud Lariviere	Personal Support Worker
Rogelyn Agati	Personal Support Worker
Rohelita Guinawa	Personal Support Worker
Rong Yin (Vicky) Yang	Personal Support Worker
Rosalina Pedro	Personal Support Worker
Rosalyn Caubang	Personal Support Worker
Rosalyn Parilla	Personal Support Worker
Rosanna Edwards	Personal Support Worker
Rose Sullivan	Personal Support Worker
Rosewell Anne Delos Reyes	Personal Support Worker
Rozanne Brown	Personal Support Worker
Ruby Arce	Personal Support Worker
Ruby Jane Abuan	Personal Support Worker
Ruchi Sharma	Registered Practical Nurse
Rushita Patel	Physiotherapist
Ruth Agdales	Personal Support Worker
Ruth Nicholson	Occupational Therapist
Saleema Rohoman	Personal Support Worker
Saleena Kc	Registered Practical Nurse
Samantha Patterson	Personal Support Worker
Sami Barat	Registered Nurse
Sandeep Kaur	Personal Support Worker
Sarah McGregor	Personal Support Worker
Shamara Ince	Personal Support Worker
Shannon Leger	Personal Support Worker
Sharon Davis	Personal Support Worker
Sharon Semple	Nursing Coordinator
Sharron Leeder	Occupational Therapist
Sheila Franco	Personal Support Worker
Shermy Waoi	Personal Support Worker
Sophia Chowdhury	Occupational Therapist
Stephine Joseph	Personal Support Worker
Sunisa Desousa	Personal Support Worker
Susan Lu	Personal Support Worker
Susana Lopez	Personal Support Worker
Susana Perlas	Personal Support Worker
Suzette Villones	Personal Support Worker
Tamlyn Nicole Alba	Personal Support Worker
Tatiana De Vilhena	Personal Support Worker
Taylor Schmidt	Occupational Therapist
Tecla Munez	Personal Support Worker
Teisha Lee	Regsitered Practical Nurse
Theresa Trinh	Personal Support Worker
Trichia Grant	Personal Support Worker
Tricia Campbell Bascoe	Personal Support Worker
Trixia Principe	Scheduling Coordinator
Uma Sud	Home Support Worker
Vaidehi Patel	Personal Support Worker
Valder Amoako	Personal Support Worker
Van Bation	Personal Support Worker
Vercilia Alexandre-Dufreine	Personal Support Worker
Veronica Foisyloares	Personal Support Worker
Vigitha Gnanaratnam	Personal Support Worker
Vijitha Jeyakanthan	Personal Support Worker
Vilma Cerbas	Personal Support Worker
Vilma-Imelda Dunuan	Personal Support Worker
Vivalda Lemos	Child And Family Support Worker
Vivian Arellano	Personal Support Worker
Vivian Batayola	Personal Support Worker
Wai-Kwan Ng (Polly)	Personal Support Worker
Weda Causing	Personal Support Worker
Wilfred Leung	Occupational Therapist
Wilfreda Silang	Personal Support Worker
Worlanyo Matsakawo	Registered Nurse
Yan Zhou	Registered Practical Nurse
Yematawork Berle	Personal Support Worker
Yin Zhang	Personal Support Worker
Ylemuel Luna	Registered Practical Nurse
Yolanda Lacap	Personal Support Worker