Lakeridge Health Nurse Awarded for Providing Exceptional Care to Seniors

Throughout her nursing career of more than 20 years, Jennifer Maughn has always been passionate about working with seniors. Now, she has been honoured for this dedication as the recipient of the third annual Tammy Rankin Legacy Award.

“Tammy Rankin worked tirelessly throughout her career to advocate for and support the senior population in Durham Region,” said Jennifer Josephson, Chair of Durham Elder Abuse Network (DEAN), which developed the award. “Not only was she a founding member of DEAN – an organization committed to advocacy and education within our community to keep seniors safe – she was also the Senior Safety Advisor for Durham Region and developed a partnership with Durham Regional Police Services for a Senior Support Coordinator position.”

Although Tammy passed away in May 2019, Jennifer Josephson explained that the legacy award in her name is meant to highlight an inspiring individual or organization with a powerful story about going above and beyond to make a meaningful impact in the lives of seniors and their families, including COVID-19 support.

Jennifer Maughn’s story fits this description perfectly.

Jennifer began her nursing career in 1998 working at the Centenary Hospital in Scarborough, starting as a Registered Practical Nurse before becoming a Registered Nurse in 2000. At the same time as she was working at Centenary, Jennifer also held a part-time position at the Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care nursing home, which is where her interest in working with older adults developed.

“A key element of seniors’ care is taking the time to truly listen to them and hear their stories, which is what I love to do,” Jennifer shared.

With this career direction in mind, Jennifer completed her Masters of Science in Nursing, as well as a specialty to become a Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Nurse. Since 2011, she has worked in the Emergency Department (ED) at the Ajax Pickering Hospital.

Jennifer was nominated for the award by a number of her colleagues, including Social Workers Riley Sinnott, Michelle Springer, and Judy Mapp, and other ED team members.

“In addition to the incredible nursing care she provides, Jennifer is an outstanding advocate for the seniors population across Ajax and Pickering,” Riley said. “She is so deserving of this award.”

“I had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Tammy and saw how she did everything she could to put the care of seniors first,” Jennifer shared. “It’s an honour for me to be following in Tammy’s footsteps.”

Photo Caption: Jennifer Maughn (right) accepting the Tammy Rankin Legacy Award from Jennifer Josephson, Chair of Durham Elder Abuse Network (DEAN), which developed the award.