The 2011 Canadian College of Health Leaders National Awards program was held in Whistler, BC, where Canada shone so brightly in the 2010 Winter Games. In addition, the National Awards program is now marked by the unfaltering icon of Canada, the Maple Leaf, which was so proudly displayed by athletes and observers alike at those Games. This confluence of place and patriotism was a great opportunity to reflect some of Canada’s Olympic glory, to bring new excitement to the Awards ceremony, and to showcase the tremendous effort behind our most successful health professionals.
The National Awards honoured “exemplary individuals and teams, encouraging knowledge exchange, and celebrating excellence.” These words could have been just as easily spoken at the Canadian Olympic Games. The drive for excellence is the same – only the arena is different. The achievements of the Awards winners were the result of hard work, know-how, and the drive at all times to reach the final successful outcome, much like the determination and energy that go into creating a superior Olympian.