Congratulations to St. Joseph's 2026 President’s Award Recipients

Compassionate, innovative and deeply committed to making a difference, the 2026 St. Joseph’s President’s Award recipients were recognized for their outstanding contributions to advancing St. Joseph’s mission, values and strategic priorities.

The President’s Awards celebrate individuals, teams and community partners who go above and beyond in service to our patients, residents, colleagues and community. Reimagined to align with St. Joseph’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, the program honours those whose leadership, innovation and dedication are advancing our mission and helping shape the future of care.

“The mustard seed at the heart of St. Joseph’s logo is a powerful symbol of what can happen when small acts of compassion, service and innovation are nurtured and allowed to grow,” says Roy Butler, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care London. “Our President’s Award recipients embody that spirit every day. Through their dedication to patients, residents, colleagues and community, they are creating meaningful change and helping St. Joseph’s continue to grow its impact in the lives of those we serve.”

Nominated by their peers, this year’s recipients were celebrated alongside colleagues, family members and friends during a special ceremony held June 22 at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute. 

Meet the 2026 recipients

President's Award for Mission in Leadership

Stephanie Cornell 
Clinical Manager, Acquired Brain Injury Program, Parkwood Institute 

Mentor, advocate, connector and compassionate leader — these are just a few of the words colleagues use to describe Stephanie Cornell, this year’s recipient of the President’s Award for Mission in Leadership.

As clinical manager of the acquired brain injury outpatient and outreach programs at Parkwood Institute, Stephanie creates environments where people feel heard, respected and supported in their work. Through mentorship, encouragement and unwavering support, she helps staff build confidence, take on new challenges and recognize strengths they may not yet see in themselves.

“Stephanie leads with warmth, humour and steadiness, creating an environment where people feel supported even in challenging moments,” her nominator shares. “Her leadership is consistent, compassionate and empowering, and it fosters growth and collaboration across both individuals and teams.”

Stephanie’s commitment to people extends to the patients and families in her care. She is always looking for ways to strengthen collaboration and improve how care is delivered for individuals with complex needs.

Recognizing that some individuals experience both acquired brain injury and the impacts of domestic violence, Stephanie brought together the ABI Outpatient team and St. Joseph’s Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program to strengthen collaboration and shared understanding. She supported dedicated time for both teams to connect, including a full-day retreat to build relationships and enhance coordinated care.

This work continues today, with Stephanie encouraging ongoing collaboration and helping shape more responsive approaches to care.

“Compassion runs through every aspect of Stephanie’s leadership,” her nominator observes. “Whether she is supporting a patient or a member of her team, she consistently considers the whole person -  mind, body and spirit.”

President’s Award for Excellence in Care, Powered by Discovery 

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Care and Research Team
Lawson Research Institute and Infectious Diseases Care Program  

Sometimes the most groundbreaking ideas are the ones no one sees coming.

St. Joseph’s Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) Care and Research Team has transformed a once-unconventional scientific concept into one of the world’s leading FMT programs, advancing research and improving care for patients facing complex and often life-altering illnesses.

This year, the FMT Care and Research Team has been awarded the St. Joseph’s President’s Award for Excellence in Care, Powered by Discovery, in recognition of its remarkable ability to translate research discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care.

What began as pioneering research led by Dr. Michael Silverman, Lawson Associate Scientist and Chief of Infectious Disease at St. Joseph’s, has evolved into a nationally recognized program.  Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a treatment that uses carefully processed donor stool to restore a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut and help treat certain serious infections and diseases. Working in partnership with research coordinator Seema Nair Parvathy (PhD), the outpatient Infectious Diseases Care Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital has advanced the development and delivery of capsule-based FMT, supporting a more patient-friendly approach to treatment.

Today, the team’s work - originally focused on treating recurrent C. difficile infections -  has expanded into groundbreaking research exploring how FMT may improve outcomes for patients living with cancer, metabolic disease and other complex conditions. Their research has helped position St. Joseph’s as a leader in clinical trials exploring the role of the microbiome in health and disease.

What distinguishes the team is its commitment to keeping discovery closely connected to the people it serves.

“Patients are supported with clear, personalized education at every stage of care and are offered choice in how treatment is delivered,” says nominator. “Families are welcomed as partners in care, and cultural beliefs, personal values and concerns are thoughtfully considered so patients feel informed, respected and confident in their decisions.”

This approach extends beyond the care experience to the impact of the treatment itself.

“The FMT team has transformed a difficult and invasive procedure into a more patient-friendly therapy,” the nominator adds. “In doing so, they are offering new hope to patients and families who often have few remaining treatment options.”

Members of the research team include Dr. Michael Silverman, Dr. Seema Nair Parvathy, Liesl De Silva, Mahnaz Kazi, Sepideh Taghizade, Trina Lewis and Kelly Muhsin. Not all team members are pictured.

President’s Award for A Vibrant Workforce

Katie Sciberras 
Storekeeper, Food and Nutrition Services

“How can I help?” is a question Katie Sciberras is known for asking often - and one that has not gone unnoticed. Even with her coat on and heading out the door at the end of a shift, Katie always takes the time to answer a question, track down a supply or support a colleague in need.

In her role, Katie keeps operations running smoothly behind the scenes in Food and Nutrition Services at Parkwood Institute. She manages inventory, coordinates supplies between kitchens and ensures staff have what they need to support patient care.

But it is her kindness, calm presence and genuine willingness to help others that have earned her this year’s President’s Award for a Vibrant Workforce.

This award recognizes individuals whose contributions, collaboration and positive attitude help create a supportive and engaging workplace culture.

“Katie always tells us she is ‘here for you,’” says her nominator. “Her ‘How can I help?’ approach makes people feel included, supported and valued.”

Katie’s ability to remain calm under pressure and find practical solutions has earned the trust and respect of her colleagues in what is often a busy and fast-paced environment.

During a particularly busy holiday period, an unexpected refrigeration issue affected a large inventory of prepared foods and desserts. Remaining calm and focused, Katie quickly assessed the situation and reorganized storage space to ensure products were safely preserved. Thanks to her quick thinking and proactive approach, no products were lost.

“Katie brings calm to any situation,” her nominator shares. “In high-pressure moments, she responds without hesitation, offering practical solutions and steady support.”

Katie’s positive attitude, collaborative spirit and genuine care for those around her make her a valued member of the Food and Nutrition Services team. 

President’s Award for Partnering for Impact 

Rehabilitation program at Parkwood Institute and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario 

Rehabilitation does not always end when a patient leaves the hospital.

For many people living with the lasting effects of a serious injury, illness, or disability, the transition from hospital to community life can be one of the most complex and vulnerable stages of recovery. While clinical rehabilitation supports physical healing, the shift to rebuilding confidence, independence, and daily routines often requires continued support beyond the hospital setting.

Driven by a shared vision to expand access to specialized adapted fitness programming for people living with disabilities, previously available only at the Parkwood Fitness Centre, St. Joseph’s and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario partnered to extend rehabilitation beyond hospital walls and better support individuals transitioning back into community life.

This year, that partnership has been awarded the President’s Award for Partnering for Impact.

Known as Partners in Motion, the program provides individuals with continued access to structured physical activity after discharge through twice-weekly YMCA-led sessions. Focused on strength, mobility, and functional movement, the program also emphasizes social connection and comfort in community recreation environments—helping participants rebuild both physical capacity and confidence in everyday life.

Over time, participants are supported in developing independence, reconnecting with their communities, forming meaningful relationships, and gaining familiarity with community-based fitness spaces that may once have felt inaccessible.

“This partnership has created something truly unique,” says the nominator. “It removes barriers that can exist after discharge, builds confidence, and provides a welcoming space where people feel supported long after formal care has ended.”

The program continues to evolve in response to participant experiences and feedback, reflecting a shared commitment by both organizations to responsive, person-centred care that extends beyond traditional rehabilitation.

“Through this partnership, people are not only staying active,” the nominator adds. “They are rebuilding independence, strengthening confidence, and reconnecting with their communities in meaningful ways.”
 

 Pictured (not in order): Rebecca Fleck, Stephanie Cornell, Dalton Wolfe, Jeff Weiler, Kristen Wanless, Maya Chawla, Neal McKinnon, Stephanie Marrocco, Soyuth Sok, Ash De Cruz, Travis Watson, Gemma Carleton and Lindsay Whitaker. Not all team members are pictured.