‘An exemplary leader’
Joyce d’Entremont receives LieutenantGovernor’s award
Joyce d’Entremont was thinking of others when she received a provincial award with her name on it.
The CEO of Mountains and Meadows Care Group was recently awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration.
She said she was proud to receive the award as a FrenchAcadian woman.
“It also meant a lot to me that I could receive an award and also highlight the wonderful work that is being done across the long-term care sector and across the disability support sector as well,” she said. “This is something I will never forget.”
The award is presented to a person who exhibits the highest standard of excellence, dedication and accomplishment. Thirty-five people have received the medal since 1986.
“As a champion for positive change, she ensures that the needs of Nova Scotians guide the future direction of care and disability support programs,” Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc said in a news release.
D’Entremont, who has worked in health care for more than 35 years, said Mountains and Meadows is a not-for-profit organization with about 300 employees. It has facilities in Bridgetown, Digby and Yarmouth. It is the largest employer in Annapolis County, she said.
AWARD
D’Entremont found out around Christmastime she had been nominated for the recognition. She Googled the award and saw the previous winners.
“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what an honour to be nominated,’” she said.
A few weeks ago, she received word she would be the 2022 recipient.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
D’Entremont found out an individual had nominated her for the recognition and asked
some of her colleagues across the province to write letters of support.
“My heart was touched like never before,” she said.
“I have accepted this award on behalf of my team, here at Mountains and Meadows, and behalf of my colleagues around the province who work so hard to advocate for our participants with different abilities, and also our seniors.”
The award was presented in Halifax on March 14.
“It was just an amazing day,” d’Entremont said. “I was on Cloud 9.”
A NATURAL FIT
D’Entremont grew up and still lives in Meteghan River.
She said her parents lost three young children to aplastic anemia, a rare blood condition. They were older than d’Entremont.
“I had very special parents. They worked hard,” d’Entremont said, noting they used to tell her many stories. “That’s why I wanted to become a nurse so bad. There was a lot of respect for nurses in my house.”
She said her parents instilled a strong work ethic in her, a trait that was highlighted during the award ceremony. D’Entremont, a lifelong learner, became a registered nurse and continues to take courses.
“Her positive attitude is infections; her natural ability to build people up leaves those around her with a renewed sense of purpose and empowerment,” reads d’Entremont’s citation printed in the award ceremony program. “Joyce is well-known for her principle that quality care for all Nova Scotians will always come first. As she leads by example, she reminds everyone that quality care comes from the heart.”
D’Entremont said one of the people she looked up to, and learned from, was Cathy Blades, who was the vicepresident when d’Entremont was the director of nursing for the South West Nova District Health Authority.
“I am very thankful to her and for all her mentoring,” she said.
D’Entremont now tries to provide some of the same guidance to the next generation.
The award is sponsored by Davis Pier and administered by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Nova Scotia.
Cynthia Ryan, chairperson of IPAC Nova Scotia, called d’Entremont “an exemplary leader.”
“Her commitment to serving her community and profession has been demonstrated time and time again through her advocacy, collaboration and innovation,” she said.
“We are greatly appreciative of Joyce’s continued dedication and commitment to
Nova Scotians.”