UCLUELET – Algonquin College is recognizing Island Health Community Health Nurse Frederick Montpetit with a special award for his 16 years of exemplary nursing and health care leadership.
“I want to congratulate Frederick on this great honour he is receiving,” said Scott Fraser, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “Frederick’s selfless dedication is a testament to his leadership as well as those in his care throughout the region.”
Montpetit will be one of 10 Algonquin College 2017 Alumni of Distinction to be honoured on Sept. 27 in Ottawa. The award will be presented in the health care category, in recognition of his academic and professional achievements.
“Every day in my work, I am inspired by the pleasure of having a one-on-one conversation with a patient,” said Montpetit. “Nursing, for me, has always been about that connection. I am honoured to be selected for this award from Algonquin College, and privileged to work with patients on the West Coast.”
Montpetit has worked for Island Health since 2016, as a Community Health Nurse in Tofino and Ucluelet. He and his wife discovered Ucluelet while on a road trip. “Once we got to know this community, we knew it was meant to be our home,” he said.
He previously held positions with the Government of Nunavut, and with Halton Healthcare in Georgetown, Ontario. He was Nunavut’s first Chief Nursing Officer from 2009 to 2013.
In addition to his role as Chief Nursing Officer, Montpetit’s career to date includes experience as Director of Patient Services [Nursing], as well as roles in emergency services, rural and remote community primary care, community health, public health and communicable disease control.
“We are extremely pleased to congratulate Fred on this significant honour,” said Sherryl Hoskins, Island Health Rural Director. “He is an integral part of our team on the West Coast, and our community is very fortunate to be benefitting from his skills and experience
“Fred’s achievements are outstanding,” said Cheryl Jensen, President of Algonquin College. “From working on the front lines of a hectic emergency department to his leadership as the first-ever Chief Nursing Officer of Nunavut, he has demonstrated what it’s possible to achieve with an Algonquin College education.”
Montpetit graduated with honours from the Algonquin College Nursing Program, and received the College’s School of Health and Community Studies Award. In addition, he earned a Bachelor of Nursing with Honours from Athabasca University in 2010.
Six of the 10 Alumni of Distinction honorees — including Montpetit— will go on to be the College’s Ontario Premier’s Awards nominees. The Premier’s Awards take place on Nov. 27 in Toronto.
Central/North Island media inquiries:
Adrienne Breen
Media Relations
250.740.6980
adrienne.breen@islandhealth.ca