A Canadian First: Vitalité Health Network Launches Its Centre of Excellence in Nursing Care

Campbellton, Thursday, January 22, 2026 – Vitalité Health Network is announcing the launch of its Centre of Excellence in Nursing Care as part of the Stellar certification program of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).

The Stellar program is the only national program that certifies health-care organizations for excellence in nursing work environments.

Invited by the CNA to take part in this certification process, the Network becomes the first acute-care organization in Canada to commit to this journey of excellence in nursing practice.

Two pilot sites will take part in the first phase of the project: Campbellton Regional Hospital and Tracadie Hospital.

The certification, which is valid for four years with the possibility of renewal, guides organizations according to six standards of excellence:

• Nursing voice, which recognizes the ability of nursing staff to participate in decisions related to care delivery.
• Leadership excellence, which assesses managers’ ability to create an environment that fosters staff engagement and skills development.
• Education and career advancement, which focuses on support for continuing education, certification, and professional development.
• Resourcing, which aims at the commitment to provide the best policies, products, and professional development based on evidence.
• Practice environment, which involves ensuring that nurses’ workplaces are positive and safe.
• Optimizing care, which supports a holistic, evidence-informed, and person-centred approach.

Sonia Bernatchez, Manager of Hospital Logistics and Patient Flow, Tracadie Hospital; Nelly LeBreton, Ressource Nurse, Tracadie Hospital; Allison White, Senior Director of Nursing, Vitalité Health Network; Josée Morin, Lead, Stellar Certification Program, Canadian Nurses Association; Dre France Desrosiers, President and CEO, Vitalité Health Network; Maxime Saulnier, Director of Hospital Logistics and Patient Flow, Campbellton Regional Hospital; and Rachel Mann, Nurse Manager of Intensive Care Unit, Campbellton Regional Hospital

“The Stellar program will allow our teams to further develop their clinical expertise, strengthen their leadership, and better respond to the increasingly complex needs of patients. It is an opportunity to share best practices and enhance our capacity to deliver high-quality nursing care. This initiative reflects our commitment to recognizing the value of our nursing staff and providing them with an even more stimulating work environment,” explains Allison White, Senior Director of Nursing at Vitalité Health Network.

In the longer term, the objective is to obtain certification for all care units across the Network that admit patients.

“Vitalité Health Network’s decision to embark on this Stellar journey demonstrates strong leadership and a clear commitment to supporting nurses so they can deliver the highest quality, person-centred care.  This work reflects a forward-thinking approach to strengthen nursing practice environments and advance excellence across the health system. We are pleased to welcome them as the first acute-care organization in Canada to participate in this national initiative,” says Valerie Grdisa, CNA Chief Executive Officer.