OHA 2008 Healthy Hospital Innovators Award

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) in partnership with the NQI (National Quality Institute) is pleased to announce the OHA 2008 Healthy Hospital Innovators Award to be presented at the OHA’s Annual Convention & Exhibition, OHA HealthAchieve in November 2008.

The purpose of this award, which was created in 2004, is to recognize OHA member organizations for their commitment to implementing a comprehensive and strategic approach to the development and sustainability of a healthy workplace. It also serves to recognize healthcare organizations that demonstrate their willingness to participate in the transfer of knowledge regarding their program successes and challenges.

The OHA is committed to ensuring the needs of its hospitals are met, and recognizes that maintaining a healthy working environment has a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of quality healthcare professionals. As part of its commitment, the OHA has identified “developing innovative health human resources strategies” as a strategic direction for the organization for future years. This direction includes initiatives like the Healthy Hospital Innovators Award, which continues to play a tremendous role in helping hospitals become models of healthy workplaces, and models of healthy employees for their communities.

For national recognition, winners of the Healthy Hospital Innovators Award will also receive Level One recognition from NQI's Healthy Workplace Progressive Excellence Program (PEPŠ), as the OHA 2008 Healthy Hospital Innovators Award is based on NQI Healthy Workplace Criteria. The NQI PEPŠ program is a four-step implementation process that provides organizations with a roadmap to build on current achievements. The NQI program links to the Canada Awards for Excellence Program (healthy workplace category) and is Canada’s most prestigious award for the development and sustainability of a healthy workplace.

Details of the OHA 2008 Healthy Hospital Innovators Award

All successful applicants will receive:

OHA 2008 Healthy Hospital Innovators Award Crystal Pyramid;

NQI PEPŠ Healthy Workplace Level One Certificate (Approx. $2000.00 Value);

Recognition of your organization’s success at OHA HealthAchieve 2008, and in publication materials;

Details for Application Submission and Process

Organizations are required to submit an electronic copy of their completed application to cwoodman@oha.com, as well as a CEO-endorsed hard copy to be received by the OHA (address below) by September 15, 2008.

The Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West
Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3L1
Fax: (416) 205-1390

Applications received after 1630 E.S.T. on September 15, 2008 will not be considered;

Applications should not exceed twenty pages (any supporting information relevant to the application can be appended);

A selection panel comprised of OHA committee members at the OHA/NQI will review applications;

All applicants that meet the Award criteria will be advised by October 1, 2008.

Award presentations will take place at OHA HealthAchieve in November, 2008 in Toronto, ON.

Decisions will be based solely on information received in the application, although the adjudication/selection committee reserves the right to verify information submitted.

The OHA will provide all unsuccessful organizations with feedback as to how they may be able to meet the Award criteria next year.

All submissions become the property of the OHA and may be used for the purposes of media releases, awards booklets, case studies or other educational purposes, in consultation with the submitting organization.

For assistance in deciding whether to apply for the Award, the OHA/NQI have created a short self-assessment tool. This tool may also be useful in formulating your response to the Award application. If you are interested in receiving further information, please contact Cheryl Woodman at cwoodman@oha.com or by phone at 416-205-1373.

2008 OHA Healthy Hospital Innovators Award Application