Recognizing and celebrating the power of many - Healing Hands and Helping Hands Awards

Cancer care relies on connection—the quiet strength of teamwork and the compassion shown through simple gestures, grounded in a shared commitment to support people through some of life’s most challenging moments. Clinical and non-clinical staff, across many disciplines, contribute to the seamless, compassionate care that defines the patient and family experience and eases the cancer journey for Nova Scotians.

The Cancer Care Program’s new recognition program, the Healing Hands and Helping Hands Awards, was developed to recognize the collective contributions of all staff in delivering exceptional, holistic care. Currently being piloted in Eastern and Northern zones, the program will eventually expand across the province.

The awards program has two components: Healing Hands recognizes clinical excellence as well as the compassion, empathy and humanity that defines patient-centred care. Patients and families can nominate any individual or team supporting the Cancer Care Program—regardless of their role. The Helping Hands component recognizes the important role of individuals and groups outside cancer care. In this case, anyone working in Cancer Care can nominate an individual or group for their contribution. Nominees could be volunteers or a group providing a service that benefits patients with cancer. Examples include a driving service to get patients to appointments or a group providing accommodation to patients who have to travel for specialty treatment.

“Hearing how one’s work has touched another’s life is deeply affirming,” says Catherine Shepherd, Quality Lead for Eastern Zone and the creator of the Helping Hands and Healing Hands Awards. “The awards are a meaningful way to say ‘thank you’ while honoring health care teams and individuals and the broader system of care. They are a reminder that often the everyday acts of kindness—a reassuring voice or a welcoming smile -- make the greatest difference.”

The Healing Hands & Helping Hands Awards reflect the Cancer Care Program’s commitment to individualized care and to fostering a workplace culture grounded in kindness, connection, and compassion. These moments of recognition remind us that cancer care is not defined by one person or profession, but by the power of many.

The awards program is currently being promoted in Eastern Zone and Northern Zone facilities. Application forms are available at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre and at community oncology sites at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital, Aberdeen Hospital, Colchester East Hants Health Centre and Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2026. The inaugural awards will be presented early in 2027.