Amy Warren receives first-ever Shannon Adams Nursing Excellence Award
(Left to right: Kim Mullins, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive; Robin Varnes, Director of Med/Surg and Obstetrics; and Amy Warren, recipient of the first-ever Shannon Adams Nursing Excellence Award.)
At Norfolk General Hospital (NGH), Shannon Adams wasn’t just known for being a fantastic nurse.
She was a leader.
A friend.
A steady source of kindness, resilience, and inspiration.
Even while facing cancer, Shannon continued to put others first — raising awareness for stem cell donation across Canada, and raising thousands of dollars for cancer care.
Her team at NGH stood by her side, creating “Plasma Cell-Mates” t-shirts that read Together We Fight — a simple but powerful reminder of the community Shannon helped build. Many staff still wear those shirts today.
This year, during National Nurses Week, NGH honoured Shannon’s memory in a lasting way — by presenting the first-ever Shannon Adams Nursing Excellence Award.
The recipient: Amy Warren, a Registered Nurse on 3B.
Amy has been part of the NGH team since 2013 and was selected from a group of peer-nominated colleagues who say she exemplifies Shannon’s values in her everyday work — compassion, clinical excellence, leadership, and a commitment to others.
“Receiving this award is incredibly humbling and to say it’s an honour feels like an understatement,” said Amy.
“This award and all it represents, is the greatest career achievement I could have ever hoped for. I recognize I could not be the nurse I am without the support of my amazing team of colleagues hospital-wide and consider this award as much theirs as mine.
I am deeply appreciative and so incredibly fortunate to work in such a supportive, positive environment. This award is a recognition of the collective commitment to patient care and the compassion we show to patients, families and each other.
This achievement motivates me to continue striving for excellence and never lose sight of the positive impact we can have on others’ lives.”
This year’s nominees also included nurses: Carly Anstee, Athira Ashokan, Sara Block, Abby Church, and Priscilla Taylor.
(Left to right: Sara Block, RN; Priscilla Taylor, RPN; Amy Warren, RN; and Carly Anstee, RN. Not pictured: Athira Ashokan, RN, and Abby Church, RN.)\
Each nominee was recognized for their commitment to high-quality care, teamwork, and consistently going above and beyond for patients and families. NGH extends sincere thanks to all who were nominated.
At the award ceremony, Kim Mullins, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at NGH, delivered a speech reflecting on Shannon’s legacy — and why Amy was such a meaningful choice.
Kim described Amy as someone who supports her team, leads by example, and brings steady presence to her work.
“She brings with her a positive energy each and every day, and a willingness to help that uplifts her entire unit. Her presence is calming, supportive, and engaging — whether with patients, families, or co-workers.
She communicates clearly and consistently, advocates effectively, and is always looking for ways to improve outcomes.
She educates and empowers her colleagues… and she sees people — not just diagnoses.”
“As one colleague so beautifully put it: ‘Working with her is like having a bit of Shannon back.’”
For Amy, the recognition is personal.
“It truly feels impossible to adequately put into words what Shannon means to me,” she shared.
“She taught me countless lessons not only about nursing but about life, love and resilience. She was the epitome of ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ spreading love and joy everywhere she went.
Shannon truly meant the absolute world to me and all those that were fortunate enough to know her. I miss her every day.”
She added:
“This award is not just a personal recognition; it’s a tribute to the values Shannon embodied every day.
For me, it’s a reminder to keep carrying forward her spirit of kindness and excellence in not only my nursing career but life in general.
She is deeply missed, but her influence will forever continue to guide me and inspire me.”
The Shannon Adams Nursing Excellence Award will be presented each year during National Nurses Week to a nurse who goes above and beyond — someone who brings compassion, leadership, and consistency to their team and patients.
Congratulations, Amy — and thank you to all of this year’s nominees. Your contributions continue to shape patient care at NGH.
