The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO) announced recently that Executive Director Dianne Martin (pictured) has been nominated for the 2010 Premier’s Awards for Ontario College Graduates.

Dianne is a graduate of the diploma Nursing program at Georgian College.

The Premier’s Awards for Ontario college graduates were created in 1992 to recognize the important social and economic contributions the province’s graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world.

Dianne was nominated in the Health Sciences category for her contributions to Ontario’s health care system. In addition to her 26 years working as a bedside nurse (she’s registered as both a Registered Practical Nurse and Practical Nurse), she has also helped develop new nursing practice policies as a senior policy analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

Since 2006, she has served as the executive director of RPNAO, advocating on behalf of Ontario’s 29,000 registered practical nurses.

As a graduate of the Georgian College Nursing program, recipient of the Board of Governors Alumni Award of Distinction and a highly-regarded leader in the health care field, Dianne is a most-deserving nominee for the Ontario Premier’s Awards,” said Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College.

“As a passionate advocate for nurses and their patients, Dianne has earned the respect of her peers for her dedication and vision in the advancement of the nursing profession. Georgian is very proud of her accomplishments,” said Tamblyn.

The 2010 Premier’s Awards for Ontario College Graduates will be presented on Nov. 22 in Toronto.