Pictured, left to right: Patti Cox, co-chair of the Exceptional Healer Award Committee; Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, Executive Vice-President and Chief of Staff; cardiologist Dr. Peggy DeJong; nurse practitioner Chao Zhu; Susan Bedell, Founder of the Exceptional Healer award; Jason Hann, Executive Vice-President and Chief Nursing Executive. Photo via KHSC.
Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) has presented two local health-care professionals with the annual Exceptional Healer Award.
Now in its ninth year, the award recognizes physicians, nurses and allied health professionals who exemplify patient- and family-centred care through compassion, collaboration and clinical excellence, according to a Wednesday, May 27, 2026, release from KHSC.
This year’s recipients are cardiologist Dr. Peggy DeJong, and gastroenterology nurse practitioner Chao Zhu. Both were nominated by patients for the extraordinary care, empathy and partnership they bring to their roles.
According to the health-care organization, Dr. DeJong was recognized for her compassionate communication and commitment to ensuring patients feel informed, heard, and supported during complex cardiac care. Her ability to explain difficult medical information in ways that can be easily understood, and her work to advocate for patients, reflects the core principles of patient- and family-centred care, KHSC detailed.
“This award is one of the most meaningful I have received both professionally and personally,” shared Dr. DeJong.
“To receive an award based on my interactions with patients and families is the highest honour because providing kind, effective and compassionate care is very important to me.”
Zhu was honoured for the continuity of care, responsiveness, and compassion he brings to patients living with gastrointestinal diseases, KHSC shared. Patients reportedly praised his ability to explain complex information clearly, provide timely support, and create trusting relationships.
For Zhu, exceptional care is often found in small but meaningful moments.
“Exceptional care, to me, means taking the extra time to help a patient,” he expressed in a statement.
“It is often the small gesture that makes (care) exceptional. It could be as simple as a phone call a week after an appointment to check in on a patient’s progress.”
This year, PFAC received 30 nominations from patients, families, staff, and health-care professionals, according to KHSC.
“We received many enthusiastic nominations describing health-care professionals who go above and beyond in treating patients like individuals, not simply as members of a group with similar health conditions,” said Susan Bedell, Founder of the award and member of the Exceptional Healer Award Committee.
According to the release, a common theme across nominations was gratitude for clinicians who combine skill and competence with kindness, transparency and meaningful patient partnership.
“Every year, this award celebrates health-care professionals at KHSC who truly live out the values of dignity, respect, information sharing, patient partnership and collaboration,” added Patti Cox, Co-Chair of the Exceptional Healer Award Committee.
“These individuals are not only highly skilled, but approachable, empathetic and deeply committed to improving the patient experience.”
Nominations for the Exceptional Healer Award are accepted throughout the year by PFAC at [email protected], with recipients announced annually during Patient Experience Week.