The Canadian College of Health Leaders is proud to announce that Dr. Michelle Acorn, CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, has been named recipient of the 2026 Nursing Leadership Award.
Dr. Michelle Acorn, DNP, NP PHC/Adult, MN/ACNP, FCAN, FAAN, FFNMRCSI, FQNI, is being recognized for her extraordinary commitment to patient‑centred care, system transformation, and the advancement of the nursing profession. With more than 35 years of progressive leadership across clinical, academic, and policy domains, Dr. Acorn has consistently championed quality, equity, and innovation in nursing. Her impact spans local, national, and global health systems, from leading provincial strategies as Ontario’s Chief Nursing Officer to shaping international nursing policy as the inaugural Chief Nurse of the International Council of Nurses, representing over 130 national associations and 28 million nurses worldwide. Her leadership has strengthened interprofessional collaboration, expanded nurse practitioner scope, and improved access to high‑quality care for vulnerable and underserved populations.
As CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, Dr. Acorn continues to modernize NP advocacy, governance, and practice, securing investments and legislative reforms that enhance continuity of care and elevate the role of NPs across the province. She pioneered Ontario’s first NP‑led hospitalist “Most Responsible Provider” model (now adopted provincially) and maintains clinical practice in correctional health, grounding her leadership in lived patient experience. Widely recognized as a visionary and values‑driven leader, Dr. Acorn has earned numerous prestigious honours, including recognition as a Top 20 Visionary Canadian CEO, a Top 25 Woman of Influence, and recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the inaugural CNA Sapphire Award. Her influence extends far beyond any single organization, shaping policy, empowering the nursing workforce, and driving measurable improvements in care delivery across Canada and around the world.
This award is sponsored by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). CNA is a powerhouse nursing organization leading the development of health policy across Canada. Representing Canada's 466,000 regulated nurses, across all 13 provinces and territories, they are the only focal point for the profession on the national stage — and have been since 1908.
This award is part of our CCHL National Awards Program and will be presented at the Honouring Health Leadership event on June 14, 2026.
For further information and/or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Christian Coulombe
Vice-President, Marketing & Membership
Canadian College of Health Leaders
613-235-7219, ext. 213
ccoulombe@cchl-ccls.ca
