Welcome to
AFHTO’s Annual
Bright Lights Awards!
Let’s celebrate the joy of primary care and the pride we all share in providing quality care to our communities.
AFHTO’s Bright Lights Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions that help advance team-based primary care in Ontario.
This year, we’re growing our awards to recognize MORE of our members. The awards will be announced and presented at the Awards Ceremony on Oct. 23, 2025, during The Power of Primary Care Conference.
And the nominees are……
Theme-based Award Nominees
Our longstanding awards recognize programs and initiatives led by AFHTO members that are transforming primary care. These awards are closely aligned with the conference themes and spotlight innovative work that addresses priority areas across the sector.
1) The Constellation of Primary Care
Burlington Family Health Team - IPCT Team
Mount Sinai Academic Family Health Team Perinatal Care Program members
Rideau St. Lawrence Family Health Team
Norfolk Family Health Team
Southlake Academic Family Health Team and Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team
Bancroft Community Family Health Team
2) Governing with Integrity: Navigating Conflict, Power, and Accountability
Huron-Perth and Area Ontario Health Team
3) Rebuilding the QI Muscle: Data, Action & Impact
Southlake Academic Family Health Team
North York Family Health Team
4) Digital Tools, Human Care: Innovation with Purpose
Norfolk Family Health Team
Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia
Southlake Academic Family Health Team
5) Growing Great Teams: Building Culture, Retaining Talent, and Transforming Care Through Collaborative Learning
Tilbury District Family Health Team
Norfolk Family Health Team
Southlake Academic Family Health Team
Woodbridge Medical Centre Family Health Team
6.Meeting Needs, Advancing Equity: The Power of Comprehensive, Patient-Partnered Care
Prescott Family Health Team
Community Ward Team
Windsor Family Health Team
Aurora-Newmarket Family Health Team
Dr. Gary Bloch
SEED Social Prescribing Team
Dufferin Area Family Health Team
Norfolk Family Health Team
North Shore Family Health Team
Carolyn Beukeboom
Southlake Academic Family Health Team
Harrow Health Centre
Board Awards Nominees
There are now TWO board awards! The first, remains our long standing award that recognizes amazing leadership in Primary Care by an individual or organization outside of the membership. The second is our NEW Team of the Year award intended to celebrate the accomplishments of an AFHTO member organization.
The Power of Primary Care Award
Dr. Ian Cowan
Chatham Kent Ontario Health Team
Team of the Year Award
Woodbridge Medical Centre Family Health Team
Norfolk Family Health Team
Barrie and Community Family Health Team - School Success Program (SSP)
South East Toronto Family Health Team
Individual Impact Awards Nominees
A new initiative dedicated to recognizing the extraordinary people behind high-functioning primary care teams. These awards celebrate individuals who go above and beyond in their commitment to their team, their patients, and the broader community—those whose leadership, compassion, innovation, and support elevate the experience and delivery of care.
Emerging Leader Award
Elizabeth Smith
Jodi Colwill
Subo Awan
Cyril Turley
Bathilde Gautier
Denis Tsang
Shawn Minor
Chris Cassolato
Ale Heddon
Heart of the Team Award
Amanda Gallion-Ferron
Chris Lebouthillier
Ellen Ibey
Tara Peel
Julie MacVoy
Erica North
Nora Connolly
Frank Ruberto
Bright Lights Conference Theme Awards
Last years Bright Lights Theme Awards Winning Teams!
Within EACH of our conference themes, a Team will receive a Bright Lights award.
The Project / Program need to reflect significant achievement within the award category. The innovation may be large or small, but the impact is significant for the patients, community and/or primary care team
Exemplifies innovative thinking and leadership
Recognizes and addresses the needs of their local population (access or barriers to care, rurality, etc.)
Is sustainable with potential for continued improvement
Offers significant, useful, and relevant learning opportunities/resources to primary care teams
Is being spread and adopted more broadly
Is supported by evidence of impact (e.g., outcome measures, evaluation results, research findings, patient, or community experiences.
Bright Lights Board Awards
The Power of Primary Care
Board Award
(Individual or Group external to Members)
This award celebrates a non-member individual or group who has made a remarkable impact on team-based primary care. Whether through innovative initiatives, strategic collaborations, or inspiring leadership, the nominee's contributions have significantly advanced primary care at local, regional, or provincial levels.
NEW THIS YEAR
The Team of the Year Award
(Teams within AFHTO Members)
This award recognizes a primary care team from an AFHTO member organization that demonstrates excellence in interprofessional collaboration, patient-centred care, and quality improvement initiatives. These teams are a beacon of inspiration, showcasing remarkable outcomes, fostering an empowering culture, and sharing impactful practices that elevate primary care. Nominations must highlight work performed by a cohesive team dedicated to transforming care delivery in their professional roles.
Bright Lights Individual Impact Awards
NEW THIS YEAR
Emerging Leader Award (Individual)
This award recognizes a rising star in primary care who is actively shaping the future of team-based care. Nominees are early- to mid-career professionals (5–10 years) from either clinical or operational backgrounds who demonstrate initiative, innovation, and collaborative leadership. These individuals are driving meaningful change and already show the promise of future system leadership. They lead not by title, but through action, vision, and the ability to bring others along.
NEW THIS YEAR
The Heart of the Team Award (Spirit Award) (Individual)
This award honours an individual whose presence is essential but often behind the scenes—someone who embodies the spirit of team-based care through compassion, consistency, and quiet leadership. These nominees lift others up, help their teams thrive, and contribute to a positive workplace culture. They’re the glue that holds the team together—mentors, supporters, and steady hands who make excellence possible by enabling others to succeed.