Joan Lesmond Awards

In 2011, CARE Centre’s 10th anniversary year, a new award was established to celebrate CARE Centre member IENs for their success in Canada.

Nomination Submission Deadline: Friday September 12th, 2025

* Joan Lesmond

The CARE Centre Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Award is named in honour of the late Dr. Lesmond.

Dr. Lesmond was a nursing leader who championed access to the nursing profession, and who contributed much to the development of CARE Centre in its early years.

A tribute to Joan Lesmond

My name is Loy Asheri, RN, The 1st recipient of IEN of the Year Award in November 2011. Being the first recipient of the IEN of the Year Award, I was honoured to represent my fellow CARE Centre members in receiving the Joan Lesmond Award recognition. The award changed my life, my family, my colleagues as well as the management at my workplace. I recall my Manager in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and the Sunnybrook CEO were so proud of my accomplishment. The recognition boosted my confidence; at that time I knew I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. Today I am retired after accomplishing my goals: I worked as a Critical Care RN in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; I was a member of the Council for the College of Nurses of Ontario. I was privileged to serve my fellow IENs in the capacity of a case manager at CARE Centre. Last but not least, I am a proud mom who has raised my children as a single parent: my four children are successfully working in different areas. At my workplace, the award opened a discussion about the challenges IENs go through. I remember being invited to our Sunnybrook Trauma/Critical Care Annual Conference to talk about IENs’ contributions to Canada and the challenges they go through. All in all this award brought joy and confidence to me and my family.

As the recipient of the 2018 Joan Lesmond Award, I can still feel the excitement of receiving this award and the happiness of being recognized was unmeasurable. Nursing has always been my passion. I will never get tired of serving and caring for our residents even at this time of pandemic. Behind the mask, I am still smiling because I know they can see it from my eyes that I am providing care with all my heart and my dedication to my chosen profession will never be infected by this deadly virus. This award isn’t just a year of celebration, but it is a continuous mission. I cannot be as good as Joan, but I can be her other hand who will continue to touch the lives of many and make a difference. I can be her voice of love, hope and strength that will continue to provide support to my fellow frontliners. I am very proud to be a member of CARE Centre! Thank you so much for 20 years of service and beyond! You have helped thousands of nurses from around the world. Without your guidance, it wouldn’t have been easy for me to get back on track, to get my license and practice as a nurse. It means so much to me and my family. Now, my daughter is already an RN and she’s practicing nursing just like me in one of the hospitals in Toronto. Chase your dreams because dreams do come true ♥️Love what you do♥️ Thanks to all of CARE Centre’s team! Cheers, Anna Ke