Quality and Innovation Awards

The Cancer Quality Council of Ontario (CQCO) advises improving the quality of cancer care in the province by tracking and publicly reporting on cancer system performance.

The Quality and Innovation Awards recognize significant contributions to quality and innovation in the delivery of cancer care. They encourage and reward initiatives that improve the performance of cancer care in Ontario.

First held in 2006, the awards are hosted by the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario and Cancer Care Ontario, and co-sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society – Ontario Division. All institutions, practices or organizations providing cancer prevention activities or caring for people being treated for or living with cancer in Ontario are encouraged to apply.

In alignment with Ontario Health’s strategic priorities, two new award categories – Equity and Indigenous Health Awards – have been created to recognize innovative initiatives developed or adapted to promote diversity, equity and reduce health disparities.

16th Annual CQCO Quality and Innovation Awards

The 16th annual Quality and Innovation Awards will be presented on December 8, 2023 by the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario, Ontario Health and sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society. View the winners of the 2023 QI Awards.

Application/Nomination Process

(Applications are now closed)

You must let the nominees know that you are submitting the nomination on their behalf. By allowing themselves to be nominated, the nominees acknowledge and agree that – if they are selected for the award – their names and initiatives will appear on our website. Winners will also be featured on social media platforms and in media releases issued by their organization.

An initiative can only be eligible in one award category: Quality, Innovation or Equity. Review these criteria checklists carefully to select the appropriate category for your submission. Once an award category has been selected, assemble all the required information, and complete and submit the nomination form by the deadline.

Quality Award

Criteria

  • Improved outcomes
  • Sustainability
  • Economic benefits
  • Meaningful impact on patients, families, resources,  and processes

Evaluation

The application must show measurable evidence of how the quality initiative improved outcomes.

We define and measure quality by these dimensions and outcomes:

  • Increases safety
  • Improves effectiveness
  • Improves accessibility
  • Improves responsiveness to patients, families and person-centredness
  • Addresses an equity imbalance
  • Improves integration or transitions of care
  • Increases efficiency

Downloads

Quality Award Criteria Checklist
Quality Nomination Form

Innovation Award

Criteria

  • Originality and boldness
  • Improved outcomes
  • Sustainability
  • Economic benefits
  • Meaningful impact on patients, families, resources, and processes

Evaluation

The application must show a plan for evaluation or measurable evidence of how the innovative initiative improved outcomes. The goal of innovation should be to improve the process, organization, or product.

We define innovation as:

  • new and unique processes, products, or organizations that are bold, experimental, and far-reaching.

Downloads

Innovation Award Criteria Checklist
Innovation Nomination Form

Equity and Indigenous Health Awards

Criteria

  • Reduction in health disparities for patients, families, and providers.
  • Partnership with:
    • First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities and leadership that demonstrates a commitment to Reconciliation, the promotion of self-determination, and to identify, design, and deliver health services that meet the needs of Indigenous communities; or
    • Black and/or racialized communities; Francophone; 2SLGBTQIA+; newcomers to Ontario; low income; underhoused or vulnerable housed; people with disabilities, and other equity-deserving communities to identify, design, and deliver health services that meet the equity needs of the communities served
  • Use of data for planning, development, and evaluation
  • Long-term sustainability and opportunity for expansion

Evaluation

The Equity and Indigenous Health Award is presented to a program or initiative that best demonstrates the following criteria based on Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework.

The Equity and Indigenous Health Award nomination must show measurable evidence of how the initiative improved outcomes.

Downloads

Equity and Indigenous Health Awards Criteria Checklist
Equity and Indigenous Health Nomination Form

Last Updated: November 24, 2023