Oxford County Public Health nurse receives province-wide special recognition award.
WOODSTOCK -- A local nurse is being recognized on a provincial level as this year's recipient of the Toronto Star's Nightingale Award.
This is the 13th year for the award which is handed out to a nurse that best embodies qualities of excellence, skill and dedication.
Oxford County Public Health Nurse Lisa Gillespie beat out 170 nominees province-wide .
"I've been a nurse for 21 years and I know that nurses do fabulous work but for the fact that a colleague of mine took the initiative to nominate me and say such wonderful things about me, I'm just completely blown away and honoured."
Gillespie says she received the call from the Toronto Star a few weeks ago.
"I think I was speechless. It was a great moment. Certainly a moment that I never expected to happen but I am so thrilled and honoured."
Gillespie was nominated for her work on the County's needle exchange program as well as leading in the implementation of a new provincial program aimed at preventing opioid-related overdoses.
"Basically it is aimed at people who are at risk for an opiate overdose and what the training does is to teach people how to prevent an overdose but also how to recognize an opiate overdose as well as how to respond to an opiate overdose and to give Naloxone."
Gillespie says the program started March 10 and so far she has trained 11 people with her goal for the year set at 20.
Gillespie says she will display the award on her mantle for at least a few weeks before finding a permanent place for it.

Chilly Charlie Returns on Monday
Khanna Shines a Light on Oxford County Superstars
WFD Responds to Structure Fire
WPS Appoints New Deputy Chief
TMMC Woodstock Begins Production of Sixth Gen RAV4
Oxford OPP Briefs - January 28th, 2026
More Weather Alerts for Oxford County
Thrive Oxford Honoured at ROMA
Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP - January 2026
Members Needed for Tillsonburg Housing Advisory Committee
UPDATE: Ottawa Approves Plan to Move Marineland's Whales and Dolphins
Over 200 Collisions Reported in West Region
Another Day of Bus Cancellations in Oxford
UPDATE: Environment Canada Issues Cold Warning
Last Call for Pizza for a Purpose Tickets
News Poll: Super Bowl LX
UPDATE: Pizza Pops Recall Expanded
PJHL Recap - Jan 23rd to Jan 25th
Two Charged in Delhi Vehicle Theft
Winter Reminders from City of Woodstock
Comments
Add a comment