2026 HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Souzanne Kappes

Souzanne Kappes

Nominated For: HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR

It has been a privilege to support patients who have experienced a brain injury and their families throughout their recovery journey since 2019, when I began working on the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit at Health Sciences North. Now working in acute care on the Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Unit, I am passionate about helping patients and families navigate the challenges of life-changing injuries with compassion, advocacy, and hope. I strive to provide patient-centred care that empowers individuals and families as they adjust to new realities and navigate the next steps in recovery. It is an honour to walk alongside patients during some of their most difficult moments, helping them access the support and resources they need while fostering hope for the future.

8 Comments
  • Jenna Lavallee says:
    August 24, 2026 at 10:48 am

    Souzie is the kind of social worker who makes every room a little brighter just by being in it. She is hilarious, deeply empathetic, wonderfully vulnerable, and unapologetically real. Her big-feelings, and empathetic Virgo energy is truly her superpower!

    People naturally gravitate toward her because she makes them feel seen, heard, and cared for. She brings so much heart to her work, while also being incredibly detail-oriented and never cutting corners. Any patient under Souzie’s care is truly in the best hands.

    She absolutely deserves to be Social Worker of the Year, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the recognition.

    Reply
  • Mikayla Rochon says:
    August 24, 2026 at 10:51 am

    I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Souzzie for about a year now, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that she goes above and beyond for her patients every single day. She is an incredible asset to our allied health team and a truly phenomenal social worker.

    Whenever Souzzie and I share a patient, I can rest assured knowing they are being supported with compassion, connected to the resources they need, genuinely heard, and strongly advocated for. Her dedication, empathy, and commitment to her patients are evident in everything she does, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside her.

    Reply
  • Melanie Stewart says:
    August 24, 2026 at 1:11 pm

    She is truly deserving of this award! She consistently puts patients at the center of everything she does, showing incredible compassion, patience, and dedication. She goes above and beyond to support patients, families, and colleagues, often doing more than anyone could ask or expect. Her kindness, empathy, and unwavering commitment make such a meaningful difference to the people she works with. She is an exceptional social worker and an incredible advocate for her patients. ?

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  • Lindsay Roach says:
    August 25, 2026 at 12:14 pm

    Souzie is absolutely deserving of this award. She consistently demonstrates kindness, empathy, and compassion- not only toward her patients, but also toward their families. She takes the time to truly listen, understand their concerns, and ensure they feel supported and cared for throughout their experience.

    She is always willing to lend a helping hand and goes above and beyond to meet the individual needs of her patients. Her dedication, professionalism, and genuine care make a meaningful difference to those around her. She is an exceptional team member and a true advocate for her patients, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.

    Reply
  • Meagan Buttle (she/her) says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:11 pm

    Congratulations, Souzie!

    It was such a pleasure meeting you at the OBIA conference / PIA event in Niagara last fall, and I’ve been looking forward to connecting again since 🙂

    Your sense of humour, warmth, and passion for supporting patients and families really came through in our conversation. So happy to see your hard work recognized with this nomination — very well deserved!

    Reply
  • Brian Finley says:
    August 26, 2026 at 1:35 pm

    I have known Souzie since she joined the HSN Social Work Team. I have a great deal of respect for her commitment to the profession of Social Work.
    Her commitment is demonstrated time and time again through her work with her clients and families.
    Souzie is an asset to the profession of Social Work and HSN.
    It is a privilege to know and work with Souzie here at HSN.
    She is rare find in Social Work.

    Reply
  • Kat Shank says:
    September 5, 2026 at 8:38 pm

    I’ve known Souzie since high school where we worked part-time together. Even since then she has always known that she wanted to be a Social Worker. It has been a privilege to watch her grown in the role and make a difference in so many people’s lives. Souzie is an inspiration to all!

    Reply
  • Cathy Tait says:
    September 8, 2026 at 1:08 pm

    I cannot think of anyone more deserving of Social Worker of the Year award than Souzie! She embodies and consistently demonstrates all of the essential traits a good Social Worker should possess including empathy, compassion, determination and kindness. She is a strong advocate for her patients and ensures their needs are met as best as possible in a healthcare system that is extremely challenging and not always patient centered. Her unit is lucky to have her.

    Reply

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