Lakeridge Health Preceptor Awards 2026
On January 28, Lakeridge Health’s annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning took place, including the presentation of the Preceptor Awards.
The Preceptor Awards recognize the medical experts who devote their time and effort to training students at Lakeridge Health’s Hospitals and other facilities.
As part of this celebration, Lakeridge Health Foundation is pleased to work with Lakeridge Health’s Academic Affairs department to present the Dr. Hak Ming Chiu Award for Strategic Contribution to Education and the Deborah Chiu Research Into Practice Award. The annual distribution from the Dr. Hak Ming and Deborah Chiu Education & Research Award Endowment Fund supports these awards.
The Hak Ming Chiu Award recognizes an individual or group who has made significant contributions to Lakeridge Health’s academic vision and mission. This year, we are excited to recognize Aimee Harrison, Clinical Practice Leader at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville and Port Perry.
Aimee has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to developing both new and experienced members of Lakeridge Health’s nursing staff. She has also worked diligently to strengthen educational opportunities across the organization.
“To receive the Dr. Hak Ming Chiu Award is an incredible honour,” says Aimee.
Aimee’s leadership has played a pivotal role in advocating for and developing a Coronary Care course for nurses at Lakeridge Health. This initiative has not only enhanced ongoing professional development for the nursing workforce, but was recently acknowledged by Humber College as a prerequisite for its Coronary Care II Program.
“The impact of this award goes well beyond me,” explains Aimee. “It will help expand the educational opportunities for my entire team, allowing us to continue training students and colleagues.”
The Deborah Chiu Research into Practice Award recognizes a teammate who leads, conducts or reviews research that impacts a clinical or non-clinical practice in their field. We are thrilled to announce Dr. Shannon Fernando, Critical Care Physician, Research Lead, and Medical Director of the Trauma program, as this year’s recipient for his work in leading the first academic critical care study to originate from a community-based hospital in Canada.
Dr. Fernando’s efforts have been instrumental in bringing numerous national and international clinical trials to Lakeridge Health. He has helped enhance Lakeridge Health’s academic visibility and reputation both provincially and nationally. Dr. Fernando has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to multiple national and international clinical guidelines.
He is also leading Lakeridge Health’s first investigator-initiated randomized controlled trial, the BLUSH study. This study investigates the use of methylene blue, a synthetic compound used primarily to treat blood disorders, in septic shock.
Dr. Fernando was unable to attend the Preceptor Awards as he was attending the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group meeting in Alberta and presenting on the progress of the trial, but was very honoured to be recognized. “This award is incredibly meaningful,” Dr. Fernando said. “I feel so privileged to be able to perform research at Lakeridge Health, and am extremely grateful for all of the support I have received.”
Congratulations to Aimee, Dr. Fernando, and the rest of the Preceptor Award recipients