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Joseph Redhead, a public health nurse on the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, is one of three recipients of a National Award for Excellence in Nursing.
The awards ceremony, held in Ottawa on Monday, marks the beginning of National Nursing Week and was an opportunity for the Canadian government to express appreciation for the efforts of Redhead, Joanne Ogden and TerriLynn Flynn as healthcare professionals and advocates of health promotion.
Redhead, now nurse in charge, has devoted his time and energy to the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, where he spent much of his childhood. Outside of his work, Redhead is an advocate for the rights and needs of youth in his community and is president of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre.
Each year, Health Canada recognizes three nurses for excellence in their work in First Nations and Inuit communities. Nurses are nominated by their peers to recognize their contribution to the communities where they live and work. This year's winners are front-line nurses who have shown their commitment to excellence in nursing practice through sound judgement, professionalism, leadership and by valuing diversity.