SHA Innovation Awards
Join us as we celebrate Innovation Close to Home during SHA’s third annual Innovation Month.
A key highlight of the month is the Innovation Awards Virtual Ceremony, hosted by CEO Andrew Will on May 27 from 12–1 p.m. This event is an opportunity to recognize and honour the innovative work making a real impact across SHA.
By registering for the awards ceremony, you’ll also gain access to the full Innovation Month event platform — featuring virtual sessions, presentations, and exclusive content being shared throughout the month. Seating for the awards is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Connect with colleagues from across the province, hear from inspiring speakers, and help us celebrate the people and ideas shaping the future of health care in Saskatchewan.
Reserve your spot today and take part in this province-wide celebration of innovation.
2024 Award Recipients
Each year, the SHA Innovates recognize groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible in Saskatchewan’s healthcare system. In 2024, we celebrated five remarkable initiatives: a Virtual Physician program keeping rural emergency rooms open, a Pharmacy Care Pilot revolutionizing medication management, a patient-centered community care initiative, a creative Occupational Therapy approach using 3D printing and VR, and a food-sharing program bridging healthcare and social needs.
Below you can read more about each award and the projects that were recognized. As you do, think about, Who’s driving innovation in your world?, and then consider nominating a project today to help us celebrate the next wave of healthcare trailblazers!
Creative Innovation Award: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Some of the best innovations come from rolling up your sleeves and making the most of what you have. The Creative Innovation Award honors projects that embrace ingenuity, adaptability, and hands-on problem-solving.
The 2024 Creative Innovation Award recognized Carmen Valle, a Senior Occupational Therapist at Saskatoon City Hospital. She led a variety of innovative approaches to address health-care challenges within occupational therapy, demonstrating an admirable “can-do” leadership style crucial for fostering a culture of innovative practice within their team. Carmen introduced group therapy sessions to increase capacity and integrated cutting-edge tools such as 3D printing and virtual reality systems to further enhance both tangible and intangible outcomes, ultimately improving the overall patient experience.
Have you seen a team tackle a challenge with creativity and grit? Nominate them today!
Emerging Innovation Award: Pioneering the Future
Some innovations are ahead of their time—bold ideas that break from convention and push the boundaries of what’s possible. The Emerging Innovation Award celebrates visionary projects that take risks, challenge the status quo, and lay the groundwork for future transformation.
Our 2024 Emerging Innovation Award recipient was the Pharmacy Care Pilot program in Swift Current. Through collaborative practice agreements, this project enabled pharmacists to assume expanded roles in medication management, disease education, and personalized support - revolutionizing the patient care experience. This pioneering initiative not only enhances patient outcomes but also amplifies patient satisfaction and engagement with healthcare services by increasing access to care and streamlining services – especially for mental health patients.
Do you know a forward-thinking project that’s exploring uncharted territory? Nominate them today!
Hand-in-Hand Innovation Award: Strength in Collaboration
Innovation thrives when people work together. The Hand-in-Hand Innovation Award recognizes projects that bring diverse teams, departments, or organizations together to drive meaningful, system-level change.
Our 2024 Hand-In-Hand Award recipient was the Food Sharing initiative led by the Mental Health and Addictions Team in Melfort. They adopted a low-cost, ground-up approach to addressing client needs by providing meals alongside care services. Starting with donated soups and expanding to utilize surplus food from local sources, the project distributed over 800 meals to vulnerable clients, and enabled 25 harm reduction clients to connect with and receive crucial counseling services. Their efforts illustrated the power of coming together as a community to provide a holistic solution that addresses basic needs before treatment.
Know a team that’s making a difference through partnership and teamwork? Nominate them today!
Impact Innovation Award: Proven, Scalable Change
The best ideas don’t just work—they last. The Impact Innovation Award recognizes projects that have led to measurable, sustainable improvements in healthcare.
Our 2024 Impact Innovation Award recipient was the Virtual Physician for the Emergency Department program. Through HealthLine 811, this program uses digital health tools and technology to avoid temporary emergency department closures in rural communities. Nursing staff are able to assess patients and perform physical exams, then work with a physician virtually. Working remotely, the physician can order tests, reach a diagnosis, and provide treatment orders or refer to a higher level of care.
Know a project that’s creating lasting change? Nominate them today!
Patient Family Partners Choice Award: Innovation with Heart
The most powerful healthcare innovations are those that truly center patients and families. The Patient Family Partners Choice Award celebrates projects that improve patient care, experience, and outcomes—especially for vulnerable or underserved communities.
Our 2024 PFP Choice Award recognized the wonderful Connected Community Care for The Core program in Saskatoon. This initiative recognized the importance of hearing from those facing significant barriers by creating culturally appropriate spaces for authentic, empathetic conversations that center on the needs of underrepresented and underserved populations. This innovative engagement strategy not only improves services for local Indigenous people, addressing a recognized healthcare gap, but also sets a precedent for equitable, culturally sensitive healthcare practices.
Have you seen a project making a real difference for patients and families? Nominate them today!
Patient Family Partners Choice: Honourable Mention
Each year, many outstanding projects push the boundaries of innovation, making a meaningful impact across multiple areas of healthcare. While award categories recognize specific aspects of innovation, the honourable mention is reserved for initiatives that demonstrate excellence across the board—projects that impress in every category and deserve special recognition.
Last year, the Patient Family Partners recognized the MRI-Ultrasound Fusion for Transperineal Prostate Biopsy project at St. Paul’s Hospital for its outstanding contributions to patient-centered care. This initiative introduced a safer biopsy method, significantly reducing infection risks and improving diagnostic accuracy for men’s health. By leveraging MRI-Ultrasound fusion technology, the team not only enhanced patient outcomes but also demonstrated leadership in interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and resource optimization—reducing ICU admissions and surgical suite usage.
Have you come across an initiative that stands out for its innovation, collaboration, and impact on patient care? Nominate them today!
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Problems accessing Awards Force to submit a nomination? Email SHA Innovates.