LAVAL, QC, Oct. 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Sanofi Canada is pleased to announce that three Quebec nurses were presented with the Care Challenge Award, an international nursing innovation practice honour supported by Sanofi world division, as part of the "Connecting Nurses" program. The program was launched by Connecting Nurses and Sanofi in partnership with four leading international nurses associations in 2011 as an initiative to champion the extraordinary accomplishments of nurses and health care professionals from all over the world.

"Connecting Nurses' global mission is to bring nurses together online and in the real world. The program provides a forum for expert healthcare professionals to share their ideas, advice and innovations," said Jean-François Brin, Senior Vice-President, Patient Centered Solutions, Sanofi. "This network of shared knowledge and resources equips nurses with the tools to advance their practice and inspire patients to take control of their health."

The 2011-2012 Care Challenge edition is a contest that highlighted innovative nurses and their care solutions. Nurses submitted their projects into one of two categories: Nurse in the Limelight Award, which provides the opportunity of a professionally produced video to showcase their project, or the Helping Hands Award which includes a 3,000 Euros prize (~ $3,750 CAD). The 20 winning projects are featured on the Care Challenge website (www.care-challenge.com) for the next two years.

"It is because nurses play a pivotal role in research and in the development of care that Sanofi partnered in a program that recognizes their important role as healthcare providers," said Jon Fairest, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi Canada. "Sanofi Canada is proud of our Quebec winners. It is a true testament to the quality and high standards of nursing in Quebec and demonstrates that their expertise stands up on an international level," says Fairest.

This year's recipients from Quebec are:

• José Côté, Full Professor at the Faculty of nurses at Université de Montréal
  Living with a chronic disease: VIH-TAVIE, a virtual support for nurses
  

• Brigitte Galand, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Ste. Anne's Hospital Veterans Affairs
  Reduction program of non-pertinent physical restraints

• Rinda Hartner, Clinical Nurse in school health services at CSSS Jeanne-Mance
  Sexual education method for teenagers with ADHD

"For generations now, nurses have been the first line of contact with patients and today, with this prestigious award, we can highlight the importance of their specialized knowledge, skills and experience in improving access to healthcare," said Gyslaine Desrosiers, President and Chief Executive Officer of the OIIQ. "Caregivers from over 40 countries participated in this year's contest. It is a true honour that the unique projects of Quebec nurses stood-out on the world stage to contribute to stimulating innovation and bringing health solutions."

The second edition of the Care Challenge is now open for new submissions. A new special category dedicated to innovation in chronic disease is being launched this year with a focus on diabetes. To learn more about the program or to post your own innovative project, visit www.care-challenge.com.

Another new program called Information Shareapy is in development through Connecting Nurses. It is an online resource for nurses. The platform, password protected, allows nurses to share quality, reputable health links about patient education & disease awareness. We are setting up a large panel of nurses who will participate to the development of this program. For any information: contact@information-shareapy.com.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi companies in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 people, mainly in the greater Montreal and Toronto areas. In 2011 Sanofi companies invested $151.7 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

Image with caption: "Martin Dumont, Stakeholder Relations, Sanofi; Rinda Hartner, Clinical Nurse, CSSS Jeanne-Mance; Gyslaine Desrosiers, President and Chief Executive Officer, OIIQ; Josée Côtée, Professor, Université de Montréal; Jon Fairest, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi Canada; Brigitte Galand, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Ste. Anne's Hospital Veterans Affairs; Joanne Kennedy, Director of Communications, Sanofi (CNW Group/SANOFI)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121010_C5326_PHOTO_EN_19068.jpg

SOURCE: SANOFI