Toronto, Ontario – This year’s CEO Award of Excellence in Public Relations was presented to Dr. Robert S. Bell, chief executive officer of the University Health Network. The Award was presented by the Canadian Public Relations Society of Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during a luncheon event for public relations professionals.
First created in 1991, the annual CEO Award of Excellence in Public Relations recognizes a chief executive officer (CEO) who is committed to being an outstanding communicator and who clearly and consistently articulates the organization’s shared mission, vision and values with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve its business goals.
“When you run an organization as large and complex as University Health Network, understanding how to build strong relationships through communications is vital,” says CEO Award Chair Martin Waxman, APR. “In addition to being a respected health care professional, Dr. Bell consistently demonstrates his leadership by engaging his many stakeholders in a constructive dialogue designed to achieve the best possible outcome for the hospital, its staff and patients and the community.”
“I am honoured to receive this award and know that it is also recognition for the communications team at UHN and the approach that the organization has taken towards communications over a long period of time,” said Dr. Bell. “Excellent communication between patient and physician, employer and employee, and health care organizations and the general public are essential if we are to continue to have a quality health care system that is sustainable and publicly funded.”
The selection committee for the CPRS Toronto Award is made up of past local and national CPRS presidents, all of whom are accredited Public Relations professionals.
Past recipients of the CPRS Toronto CEO award of excellence include:
- Mr. Jim Leech, CEO of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (2010-2011)
- Robert Deluce, President and CEO, Porter Airlines (2009-2010)
- Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited (2008-2009)
- Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto (2007-2008)
- The late Richard Bradshaw, General Director, Canadian Opera Company (2006-2007)
- Michael Budman and Don Green, Co-founders, Roots Canada (2005-2006)
- Wayne Sales, President and CEO, Canadian Tire (2004-2005)
- Piers Handling, CEO, Toronto International Film Festival (2003-2004)
- Julian Fantino, Police Chief, Toronto Police Service (2002-2003)
- Charles Baillie, Chair, TD Bank Financial Group (2001-2002)
- Dominic D’Alessandro, President and CEO, Manulife Financial (2000-2001)
- Bobbie Gaunt, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada (1999-2000)
- Diane McGarry, President and CEO, Xerox Canada Inc. (1998-1999)
- Allan Stark, President and CEO, American Express Company Canada (1997-1998)
- George Cohon, President and CEO, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada (1996-1997)
- John Cassaday, President and CEO, CTV (1995-1996)
- David Bloom, President and CEO, Shoppers Drug Mart (1992-1993)
- Peter H. Ellis, President and CEO, Sunnybrook Medical Centre (1991-1992)
The Canadian Public Relations Society is a national professional organization focused on establishing and upholding educational and ethical standards in Public Relations. CPRS Toronto is one of the largest local societies with more than 600 members.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
CPRS Toronto CEO Award Committee
Martin Waxman, APR
Chair
416-569-0501
martinwaxman@gmail.com
University Health Network
Gillian Howard
VP Public Affairs and Communications
416-340-4838
gillian.howard@uhn.on.ca
From left: Vincent Power, APR, President of CPRS Toronto (left) presents the CPRS Toronto CEO Award of Excellence in Public Relations to Dr. Robert S. Bell, CEO, University Health Network, Tuesday, January 24, 2012, in Toronto. The award was created in 1991 to celebrate the Chief Executive Officer in the Greater Toronto area who best demonstrates personal excellence in the understanding and implementation of public relations practices. The Canadian Press Images PHOTO/CPRS Toronto (click picture to enlarge)
