Each year, CMHA recognizes mental health leaders, innovators and volunteers who advance the mental health of all Albertans.
Hundreds of volunteers and staff members across Alberta make the Canadian Mental Health Association work. Without their dedicated efforts, CMHA would be missing the leadership, direction and resources essential to a community-based organization. The Division Awards Program provides the opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievement of its volunteers, as well as individuals and organizations in the community who best exemplify the spirit of the CMHA in Alberta.
Nominations for our 2021 Awards are now closed.
For questions or comments related to CMHA Alberta Division awards, please contact:
Michele Rowan, Executive Coordinator – CMHA Alberta
mrowan@cmha.ab.ca.
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award
The Award, originally the Consumer Award, was renamed in 1991 in memory of Nadine Stirling, the first Alberta Consumer Networker. It is awarded to a consumer or immediate family member in recognition of their effort to attack stigma and/or support the development of self-help initiatives or facilitate consumer participation. The staff member being nominated will exemplify the mission, vision and values of CMHA in their professional and personal interactions and demonstrate they share the values of CMHA. They will have made a significant impact within the mental health community through outstanding dedication, competence, exceptional performance and excellent service to their community and their workplace.
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service
The Award is named in remembrance of Bettie Hewes, former CMHA Alberta Division President, Regional Director and MLA. Bettie’s lifelong interest in mental health issues and her commitment to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness is an example to all. The Award honours a volunteer or volunteers who have given much time and effort in direct service or management or have promoted the goals of the Association throughout the community.
Communications Award
Created to honour those representatives in the media who have made outstanding contributions to the coverage of mental health issues and/or shown regular and continuous interest in promoting the Association’s goals and objectives and/or given special assistance in promotion of special events such as Mental Health Week.
Professional Care Award
Awarded to a professional mental health care worker or organization exhibiting special creativity and effectiveness in the provision of mental health care.
Special Service Award
Awarded to a service club, group or business which has aided the Association through financial or special service. More than one award may be given in any one year.
Workplace Wellness Award
Awarded to any organization from the public, private or voluntary sector, union or employee association which has demonstrated the promotion of mental health in the workplace and/or cooperation between employers, employees and community agencies within the workplace.
Jillian Dayck Award
This award is named for Jillian Dayck, a 35 year CMHA Alberta staff member. Ms. Dayck’s support for her coworkers and dedication to improving the mental health of all Albertans will live on through this award. Nominations for the Jillian Dayck Award are open to all CMHA staff members across Alberta. Nominations for this award close August 20, 2021.
2019 – 2020 Award Winners
Communications Award: Barb Nekich, Lethbridge
Bettie Hughes Award: Drive Happiness Seniors Assisted Transportation, Edmonton
Stirling Award: Glori Meldrum, Edmonton
Workplace Wellness Award: George Spady Society, Edmonton
Workplace Wellness Award: Health Benefit Trust of Alberta, Edmonton
Professional Care: Islamic Family and Social Services Association. Edmonton
Jillian Dacyk Award: Meghan Reid, Calgary
Special Service: Terra Plato, Lethbridge
2018 – 2019 Award Winners
Stirling Award: Blake Loates, Edmonton
Professional Care Award: CINIM, Calgary
Jillian Dacyk Award: David Gabert, Lethbridge
Communications Award: Ryan Jespersen, Edmonton
Special Service: Dr. Ganz Ferrance, The Ferrance Group, Edmonton
2017 – 2018 Award Winners
Professional Care Award: Boris Lesar, Edmonton
Stirling Award: Vanisha Joy Breault, Calgary
Bettie Hughes Award: Ron Campbell, Sherwood Park
Communications Award: Liane Faulder, Edmonton
Workplace Wellness Award: Covenant Health, Edmonton
President’s award: Carol Robertson-Baker, Edmonton
2015 – 2016 Award Winners
Communications Award: Doug Neuman and Scott Hayes (St. Albert Gazette), St. Albert
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Debbie Wiebe, Calgary
Professional Care Award: Tracy Johnson, Edmonton
Special Service Award: Methanex Social Responsibility Committee; and Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat
Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Zoe Best, Medicine Hat
Workplace Wellness Award: Dr. Brenda Sautner, Fort McMurray
President’s Award: CMHA Wood Buffalo Region, Fort McMurray
2014 – 2015 Award Winners
Communications Award: Erin Anderssen, Toronto
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Melanie Moore, Edmonton
Professional Care Award: Medicine Hat Food Bank, Celine Symmonds and Tammy Vanderloh (Executive Directors), Medicine Hat
Special Service Award: Community View Lions Club, Medicine Hat
Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: I Will Survive Association, Calgary
Workplace Wellness Award: Community Futures Entre-Corp, Medicine Hat
President’s Award: Ben Scrivens, Spruce Grove
2013 – 2014 Award Winners
Communications Award: Dorry Rossiter and her band, “The Weathermen”, Lethbridge
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Todd Sirovyak, Medicine Hat
Professional Care Award: Renee Wagner, Medicine Hat
Special Service Award: Hamilton + Partners / Sagium – Guderyan + Green, Calgary
Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Don McInnes, Lethbridge
Workplace Wellness Award: The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Edmonton
President’s Award: Ione Challborn and Colleen Swanson, Edmonton and Camrose respectively
2012 – 2013 Award Winners
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Pat Pestell, Fort McMurray
Special Service Award: Calgary Police Service – Calgary Police Information Check Unit, Calgary
Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Jane MacKinnon, Calgary
Workplace Wellness Award: Medicine Shoppe Canada, Canada-wide
President’s Award: Laurie Beverley and Cathy Pryce, Edmonton
2011 – 2012 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Dr. Vincella Thompson, Fort McMurray
Workplace Wellness Award: Janet Cook (of Auto-Star Compusystems), Medicine Hat
Communications Award: Valerie Berenyi, Calgary Herald, Calgary
Professional Care Award: Edmonton Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic (EEPIC), Edmonton
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Jennifer and Jesse Wallin, Red Deer
Special Service Award: Rotary Club of Camrose Daybreak, Camrose
President’s Award: His Honour, Colonel (Ret’d) Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Alberta
2010 – 2011 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Gladys Garyk, Redcliff
Workplace Wellness Award: City of Calgary, Human Resources, Calgary
Communications Award: Karen Owen, CTV News, Calgary
Professional Care Award: Terrance (Terry) Wilton, Tofield
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Richard Boulet, Edmonton
Special Service Award: Glamorgan Care Centre, Calgary
President’s Award: Nancy Mannix, Norlien Foundation, Calgary
2009 – 2010 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Josie Sartore, Calgary
Communications Award: Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald
Professional Care Award: Dr. Rita Dahlke, Calgary
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Candace Watson, Calgary
Special Service Award: Mobile Response Team (MRT), Calgary
President’s Award: Sandra Harrison, (Formerly of) Edmonton
2008 – 2009 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Craig Johnson, Calgary
Workplace Wellness Award: Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), Edmonton
Professional Care Award: Rod MacInnis, Camrose
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Kelley McCune, Medicine Hat
Special Service Award: Groves’ Value Drug Mart, Camrose
2007 – 2008 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Olivier Martini, Calgary
Communications Award: CTV Television, Calgary
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Mona Cooley, Calgary
Special Service Award: TransCanada / The Royal Bank of Canada / RBC Foundation, Calgary
President’s Award: My Mental Health Campaign Team, Calgary
2006 – 2007 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Muriel Rogers, Medicine Hat
Communications Award: The Oyen Echo, Oyen
Professional Care Award: Barbara Lamoureux, Fort Saskatchewan
President’s Award: Bob Campbell, Lethbridge
2005 – 2006 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Darrin Murphy, Fort McMurray
Communications Award: The 40-Mile Commentator, Bow Island
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Shawn Payne, Medicine Hat
Professional Care Award: Helene Beck, Oyen
President’s Award: Centre for Suicide Prevention, Calgary
2004 – 2005 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Dick Southworth, Edmonton
Workplace Wellness Award: Fleet Services Department, City of Calgary
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Donald Reid, Medicine Hat
Professional Care Award: Rhonda Koenig and Trish Leonard, Medicine Hat
President’s Award: Doug Baxter, Calgary
Special Service Award: Provident Energy Trust Ltd. , Calgary
2003 – 2004 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: Kathleen Frei, Grande Prairie
Workplace Wellness Award: Ken Fair, McDonald’s Corporation, Camrose
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Sharon Sutherland, Edmonton
Professional Care Award: Dr. Margaret Shim, Edmonton
President’s Award: David Allen, Edmonton
Special Service Award: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 4, Lethbridge
Communications Award: Jackie Flanagan, Alberta Views, Calgary
2002 – 2003 Award Winners
The Bettie Hewes Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service: John Stokdijk, Calgary
Achievement Award: Dennis Anderson, Edmonton
Nadine Stirling Memorial Award: Carmela Hutchison, Irricana
Professional Care Award: Shelly Dalueg, Daysland
President’s Award: Richard Drewry, Edmonton
Special Service Award: Kiwanis Club of Edmonton, Edmonton
Communications Award: Terry Reith, Edmonton / Lissa Swihart, Medicine Hat
For a complete list of past award recipients, download Divisional Awards for All Years.
If you are looking for information about the Canadian Mental Health Association’s national awards, please visit CMHA National.