Emergency Department nurses at Cariboo Memorial Hospital provincially recognized
Published 10:52 am Monday, June 1, 2026
The nursing team at Cariboo Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department in Williams Lake recently received provincial recognition for outstanding clinical care.
Accepting the award on behalf of the roughly 40 nurses that was presented by the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of B.C. (NNPBC) at their annual Nursing Awards Gala held Thursday, May 28 in Vancouver were Cariboo Memorial Hospital director of clinical operations Kelly Dillon and emergency department manager Bridgette James.
“It was just an amazing event,” Dillon said. “Bridgette and I had wanted the nurses themselves to come and celebrate, but they made it very loud and clear that they wanted us to be the ones who accept the award on their behalf, so we graciously did so, and we’re so proud of the team.”
The 2026 Clinical Impact Award celebrates excellence in hands-on nursing practice and meaningful impact on patients and community health.
According to Dillon, this marks the first time the Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) Emergency Department (ED) nursing team has received such recognition.
Upon accepting the award Dillon said she and James had also prepared and read a speech that spoke of the team’s collective efforts and hardwork towards improving invidual patient outcomes and contributing to stronger and healthier communities across the region.
“The whole room was holding on to every word as most people said we didn’t think we’d cry when we came here, but we certainly did when you spoke,” Dillon said, adding she and Bridgette will be sharing the speech with the team at a later date following the emotional night.
On a webpage with further information on the 2026 NNPBC Nursing Awards Recipients Profiles, the NNPBC stated this year’s award winners reflect the distinction and diversity of the nursing profession, and that these individuals and teams are improving care and strengthening B.C’s health system.
Through the Clinical Impact Award, the NNPBC said the CMH ED nursing team is being recognized for delivering safe, compassionate care in a high-pressure environment marked by staffing shortages, service disruptions and ongoing system change.
“Despite these challenges, they have maintained continuity of care for the Williams Lake community through strong collaboration, adaptability and a shared commitment to patients,” the webpage reads.
“They have integrated Teledoc services to expand access for people in rural and remote areas and supported the onboarding of travel nurses to help maintain consistent care. Beyond clinical care, they have contributed to environmental sustainability through participation in the Green Bench PPE Recycling Project, helping divert nearly 10,000 pounds of waste from landfills.”
Dillon said the CMH ED nursing team currently has seven vacancies available that they hope to soon fill with new graduates and graduates of the emergency department certification program.
Most were unaware they had been nominated to receive the Clinical Impact Award by a nominee who wishes to remain anonymous and were even more so surprised when they had learned they would be a recipient.
“We’re going to find a display for our new award, one of many I know to come, and we’re going to have that out in the open so that the public can see it as well if they’re in the emergency department,” Dillon said.
“This award shows us we’re moving in the right direction, and we’re moving forward together in solving and supporting healthcare needs and the gaps that we have.”
NNPBC CEO Angela Wignall called it a privilege to recognize the work of this year’s award recipients and to celebrate the impact nurses and nurse practitioners are having in communities across the province.