Nursing Hero Award First Place Winner: Aideen Carroll, University Health Network
It is almost unfathomable to imagine my career, the careers of my colleagues, and the lives of our patients without the presence and influence of Aideen Carroll. She has left an indelible mark on every aspect of our Centre for Mental Health at University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada. She has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty for nurses, colleagues, and patients alike, and is most certainly our Nursing Hero.
In Ontario, where nurses receive generalist training and psychiatric nursing remains a niche specialty—despite every human possessing both brains and psychological states—Aideen has spent her life working to normalize and universalize mental health nursing competencies across institutions. She has been a tireless advocate for recognizing mental health as an essential component of holistic healthcare, not an optional add-on.
Several years ago, she spearheaded the launch of UHN’s Mental Health Nursing Certification program, an ambitious initiative that demanded perseverance, strategic thinking, and an unwavering belief in the value of specialized psychiatric education. She continues to volunteer her evenings to teach its rigorous fourteen-week curriculum, pouring her heart and expertise into helping nurses build the skills and confidence needed to provide exceptional care. Many nurses have cited her mentorship through this program as transformative, unlocking new career possibilities and reigniting their passion for nursing.
More recently, Aideen’s advocacy has resulted in the integration of a robust mental health curriculum into UHN’s corporate orientation redevelopment. For the first time in our organization’s history, new hires now receive six hours of foundational education in mental health, covering critical topics such as suicide assessment, mental status examinations, and the nuanced management of mental health disorders. This accomplishment has been pivotal, ensuring that every new nurse begins their journey with a comprehensive understanding of how mental health underpins overall patient care. Thanks to Aideen’s foresight, compassion, and determination, future generations of healthcare providers will be better equipped to deliver compassionate, competent, and holistic care.
Beyond education, Aideen has revolutionized the way physical and mental health are integrated in clinical practice. As Advanced Practice Nurse Educator, she was central to the strategic plan that “medicalized” our inpatient psychiatry unit. Thanks to her efforts, nurses on 8ES today confidently perform phlebotomy, run intravenous and enteral therapies, manage central lines, complete complex wound care, and administer blood products—skills once considered outside the scope of psychiatric nursing. Under Aideen’s leadership, we now treat the whole person—body and mind—as an inseparable entity, fulfilling a long-standing vision of truly integrated healthcare.
Yet beyond all her professional achievements, it is Aideen’s human spirit that truly sets her apart. Her kindness, tact, grace, and unfailing gaze on the patient make her a role model to every clinician who crosses her path. I myself am privileged to count her as my mentor. Nearly a decade ago, when I was just a surgical nurse curious about psychiatry, Aideen took me for coffee to answer my questions. She listened with genuine interest, shared her experiences, and soon after, arranged for me to shadow on the inpatient psychiatry unit—an experience that would shape my entire career trajectory. From nurse to Clinical Nurse Specialist to now an Advanced Practice Nurse Educator, Aideen has been a constant presence, guiding, encouraging, and championing my growth at every step.
Aideen’s energy for nursing education seems boundless. She remains a staunch supporter of the Canadian Nurses Association Mental Health and Psychiatric Certification program and still runs study groups on evenings and weekends for nurses working toward certification. Her passion for psychiatric nursing is magnetic, her belief in the abilities of others unwavering, and her ability to inspire unparalleled.
Despite her relentless kindness, no one should mistake it for passivity. Aideen is fiercely committed to maintaining high standards of patient care. Her focus is always, unwaveringly, on the patient’s best interests. We often joke that even decades from now, we’ll find an octogenarian Aideen rolling through the halls with a walker, reminding us to complete Braden assessments and fall risk screenings—not for the sake of ticking off a checklist, but because every single one of these assessments translates directly into better, safer, more dignified patient lives.
A vivid example of her patient advocacy comes to mind: a patient with decompensated schizophrenia had developed a massive lice infestation in his beard. Many advocated for forcibly shaving him, arguing it was the most expedient and hygienic solution. Instead, Aideen insisted on preserving his dignity and autonomy. She coordinated a bioethics consultation, gathered a multidisciplinary team, and ensured decisions were made ethically, respectfully, and with the patient’s values at the center. In moments where it would be easier to take shortcuts, Aideen always chooses the more challenging, humane path.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when staffing was stretched to its limits and uncertainty loomed large, Aideen showed what true leadership and solidarity look like. There was no job too humble for her. Whether replenishing PPE, performing COVID swabs, leading safety huddles, troubleshooting infection control challenges, or simply being a reassuring presence on the unit, she showed up for patients and staff alike, day after day. In a time defined by fear and exhaustion, she was a steady source of calm, hope, and determination.
When I reached out to colleagues for input on this nomination, the flood of responses was overwhelming—so much so that we could not possibly include them all without filling an entire magazine. Below are just some of the heartfelt reflections shared about Aideen:
One colleague recalled how Aideen, outside of her working hours, was seen setting up a celebratory display on the unit—just to uplift the spirits of the nursing staff. This small but meaningful act spoke volumes about her dedication to cultivating a positive and supportive environment where nurses felt seen and valued.
Another shared how Aideen’s support during a personal crisis provided an anchor when they needed it most. Whether covering shifts without hesitation, offering a listening ear, or advocating quietly behind the scenes, her presence went beyond professional—it was profoundly human.
Several nurses spoke about how Aideen’s encouragement inspired them to pursue certification, advanced degrees, and leadership roles. Many attributed their career advancements directly to Aideen’s mentorship, describing how she made them feel seen, capable, and worthy of striving for more.
Others reflected on working alongside Aideen during the pandemic in long-term care facilities. She recognized the overlooked issue of residents at risk for pressure ulcers due to limited turning schedules. Taking action, she designed, printed, and laminated “Turning Clocks” for resident rooms—an innovation that remains in use today and has likely prevented countless injuries.
As one colleague so beautifully put it, “Aideen is the scaffolding of our mental health program.” Another simply said, “Without her, I would not be the nurse I am today.”
Multiple testimonials emphasized her unshakable advocacy for mental health. Thanks to her tireless work, today at UHN we have psychiatric units that provide excellent physical health care, and medical/surgical units that seamlessly integrate mental health awareness into their practice. She has fundamentally shifted the way our institution conceptualizes patient care, breaking down silos that once separated mental and physical health.
She doesn’t chase recognition; she lifts others into the spotlight. She champions the quiet, critical work of frontline staff, never seeking credit for herself. When someone suggests a project or a quality improvement idea, Aideen doesn’t just support it—she rolls up her sleeves and helps make it happen.
A recurring sentiment among those who shared stories is that Aideen never stops investing in others. Whether it’s standing by a new nurse during their first NG tube insertion, coaching someone through certification study sessions after hours, or sitting down to plan the future of mental health education at UHN, Aideen shows up fully and wholeheartedly. Her dedication is not a series of one-time acts; it is a way of life.
Even seasoned physicians reflected on how much they learned from Aideen. One noted that in the early, chaotic days of the pandemic, it was Aideen who taught them how to perform nasopharyngeal swabs—offering her own nose for practice with a smile. Another credited the seamless integration of mental and physical health across UHN to Aideen’s persistence, optimism, and collaborative leadership.
Another colleague recalled her first meeting with Aideen. Rather than launching into a list of demands or critiques, Aideen began the conversation by asking, “How are you holding up?” This small act of empathy, particularly from someone of her stature, left a lasting impression.
Again and again, stories emerged of Aideen being everywhere she was needed. From emergency departments to inpatient units, she moves with tireless grace, somehow always arriving just in time to solve problems, to teach, to support.
Aideen Carroll is more than a clinical educator or a mentor—she is the living embodiment of everything nursing aspires to be. Compassionate, skilled, humble, courageous, wise, tenacious, and endlessly generous. She is the North Star that guides so many of us in this often challenging profession.
If there were such a thing as canonization in healthcare, surely Aideen would be the patron saint of mental health nursing. Her work has transformed not only patient care at UHN but also the lives of countless nurses, physicians, and patients who have had the privilege to know her.
Nursing Hero is a title that hardly captures her contributions, but it is a fitting tribute to someone who has quietly, consistently, and passionately made our world a better place.
We cannot imagine our profession, our hospital, or our lives without her.
And we never want to.
Nominated by: Linda Liu with testimonials provided by more than 20 of her colleagues. The full nomination can be viewed at hospitalnews.com
Testimonials from: Adrienne Tan, Anna Pamaong, Carmen Fang, Edna Bonsu, Gabriella Golea, Greg Baker, Irene Cecilia Azurin, Jennifer Reguindin, Jessica Campbell, Karelin Martina, Kathleen Sheehan, Kimberly Liew, Megan Smith, Michelle Sukhu, Nikita Puri, Oliver De Laurentiis, Raed Hawa, Ruth Appiah-Boateng, Sarah McDermid-Flabbi, Susan Abbey, Slawa Huniewicz, Tara Fowler
