Above and Beyond Caregiver Program – Past Events
To coincide with National Caregiver Day, the Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition Program was established to recognize, celebrate and support caregivers who make it possible for people to live their lives in their communities despite the impacts of age, illness or disability. This annual event is an exciting opportunity to recognize caregivers for their extraordinary efforts and contributions, while also sharing their experiences, stories and learnings. On this page you will find the list of caregivers that were honoured as part of our past events as well as some of their incredible stories. Other event highlights, including previous event programs and videos are also included.
2025 Event
We are honoured to recognize nearly 100 caregivers from across the province. Full list of 2025 recipients.
| Category | Criteria | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Caring and Sharing |
This caregiver is giving back to their community by helping and guiding others through sharing the knowledge and experience gained from their journey. |
Valerie Walters, Guelph |
| Caring With Courage |
Through encouragement, empowerment and support, this caregiver has directly brought about positive change to their loved one’s quality of life. |
Jim Sprague, Keswick
Shawn Quest, Toronto |
| Partner in Care |
This caregiving partner has provided long standing and continued support to an individual in their home or community. |
Alexander Michael Widdifield
Gary Zaporzan, Slate River |
| Caregiver Team |
Group of people (care team) that come together to support an individual in their home or community. |
Pam and Amanda Ross, Hamilton |
| Young Caregiver |
This category recognizes the extraordinary efforts of a friend or family member under the age of 30 years who has gone above and beyond to support the needs of a loved one. |
Neil Mukherjee, Ottawa |
| NEW! Caregiver Resilience |
This individual has provided palliative and end-of-life caregiving to their friend, family member or neighbour. Please tell us about their story of resiliency in the face of loss and grief. How can their story inspire others or provide comfort to those that are currently supporting a loved one at end-of-life. |
Barbara Z., Nepean |
2024 Event
We are thrilled to share that we received more than 100 submissions for our 2024 program. We are very excited to be able to share their inspirational stories of devotion, compassion and love.
| Category | Criteria | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Caring and Sharing | This caregiver is giving back to their community by helping and guiding others through sharing the knowledge and experience gained from their journey. |
Jennifer Irwin (in memoriam), Lucknow (South West) Elizabeth Marie Chambers, St. Catharines (HNHB) |
| Caring With Courage | Through encouragement, empowerment and support, this caregiver has directly brought about positive change to their loved one’s quality of life. |
Angela Smith, (Central Region) Melanie Denis, Lansdowne (South East) |
| Partner in Care | This caregiving partner has provided long standing and continued support to an individual in their home or community. |
Emidio Galea, Etobicoke (Toronto Central) Michael Bartlett, Port Dover (HNHB) |
| Caregiver Team | Group of people (care team) that come together to support an individual in their home or community. |
Robyn and the Serez Family, Kitchener (WW) |
| Young Caregiver | This category recognizes the extraordinary efforts of a friend or family member under the age of 30 years who has gone above and beyond to support the needs of a loved one. |
Alissa Porumbel, Central – TC, Toronto Jessie Baker, Emo (NW) |
2023 Event
With over 100 nominations from across the province, the inaugural Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition hybrid event took place on May 10, 2023 to recognize the substantial efforts of unpaid caregivers across the province.
The event was simulcast across the province with in-person events taking place in Chatham, Hamilton, Toronto, Brampton and Markham. Event sites were determined based on the location of the caregivers who were selected to receive special recognition.
Congratulations to the 2023 Above and Beyond Caregiver Recognition category recipients and to all of the caregivers who were put forward for recognition!
| Category | Criteria | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Young Caregiver | This category recognizes the extraordinary efforts of a friend or family member under the age of 30 years who has gone above and beyond to support the needs of a loved one. | Tannerr Jarrett Chatham Kent Amanda Ramkishun Mississauga |
| Caring With Courage | Through encouragement, empowerment and support, this caregiver has directly brought about positive change to their loved one’s quality of life. | Melissa Brown Elmira William Fisher Fort Frances |
| Caring and Sharing | This caregiver is giving back to their community by helping and guiding others through sharing the knowledge and experience gained from their journey. | Pooja Sinha Toronto |
| Caregiver Team | Group of people (care team) that come together to support an individual in their home or community. | Michelle Bosomworth and Sons Waterloo |
| Caregiver Innovation | This caregiver(s) uses innovative and creative strategies to support an individual in their home or community. | Jen Catton Toronto John Wheeldon Brampton |
| Partner in Care | This caregiving partner has provided long standing and continued support to an individual in their home or community. | Lina Minichini Hamilton Hilary Scarborough |
