Northern Health (NH) strives to make our values – empathy, respect, collaboration, and innovation – the core of what we do every day.
The Dr. Charles Jago Awards, named after our former board chair, acknowledge and celebrate the NH staff, medical staff, and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the organization’s goals, reflecting our values in the process.
The Jago Award for respect is presented to an individual or team who exemplifies outstanding behaviours and actions that demonstrate NH’s value of respect, by treating people with courtesy, politeness, and kindness; meeting people where they are; demonstrating curiosity about differences; encouraging others to express opinions and ideas; and fostering respect and understanding amongst team members.
Our recipient for the respect category is Heather Ouellette, team lead, Specialized Services.
Heather moved to Prince George BC from Edmonton AB in 2005 to be with the love of her life. Her early roles with NH included positions in Nursing Support Services, Public Health, and Paediatrics. While teaching at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) for five years, she maintained casual status with NH. After her time in academia, Heather returned to Public Health, where she worked with all the Public Health teams as well as Occupational Health. She later stepped into the role of team lead, coinciding with the integration of Public Health into Primary Care.
The Health Service for Community Living and Nursing Support Services teams share the following testimony for Heather:
Heather exemplifies respect in everything she does, both as a leader and a colleague. She consistently shows genuine care for everyone she works with, taking the time to remember each client's name and the unique aspects of their needs.
As a team leader, Heather fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where all team members feel heard, valued, and safe to share their thoughts and concerns. She maintains an open-door policy and always makes herself available, creating a space for collaboration and feedback.
Heather is a compassionate and knowledgeable leader who approaches each challenge with patience and respect. She empowers her team by recognizing individual strengths and contributions, and she actively encourages growth, whether through offering constructive guidance or celebrating achievements. Her approach to leadership is not only about achieving excellence but also about maintaining a sense of trust and confidence within her team. She navigates transitions smoothly, showing deep respect for her team's comfort levels and providing thoughtful, clear communication every step of the way.
Heather was born and raised in the Peace Country of Alberta, embodying the spirit of the North through and through. She expresses a deep connection to the region, stating that she would not choose to live anywhere else. The stunning landscape, marked by four distinct seasons, offers a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year. Heather appreciates the resilience and creativity of the people in the North. “The people here have that can-do attitude that looks for solutions, never hesitating to be creative,” she said. “There is just so much to see and do and enjoy in the North.”
Outside of work, Heather enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and gardening. She also has a passion for indoor hobbies such as sewing, quilting, and knitting. One of her favorite pastimes is hosting barbecues on the spacious deck at her acreage, where she enjoys bringing people together in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Please join us in congratulating Heather, our 2025 award recipient for respect!
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