The Palliative Care Nursing Leadership Award is to honour a member of the Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association whose practice reflects components of the mission and purpose of CPCNA. This nurse must demonstrate extraordinary leadership through advocacy for high

quality palliative care, through generating knowledge and research, establishing partnerships, and contributing to professional development of others through education, consultation, leadership and mentorship.

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Tara is an active member of the Professional Practice Committee of the CPCNA and will be coming into the role of Co-Director of that portfolio on the CPCNA Board for 2026-2028.  She is also the incoming Chair for the Palliative Care Consultants Network of Ontario, is involved with the conference committee for HPCO and is a volunteer mentor for the CNA certification program.  

 

Tara has a very extensive background in both oncology and palliative care, as a nurse, leader, educator, mentor and clinician. She has been in the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist and Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultant with VON Canada since 2019.  She is also a faculty member for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM) – Division of Clinical Sciences and a guest lecturer for the Sault College BScN program. Her teaching extends through Pallium, as a CSIC and LEAP Facilitator, and a course Facilitator for the various programs offered for clinicians and volunteers through the Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultant Network (PPSMC) in Ontario. 

 

Tara is unique in that she maintains certification in both Palliative Care and Oncology Nursing through CNA. She spent many years as a CNS in Oncology, facilitating education in Faculty roles through both the deSouza Institute and McMaster University as well as leading curriculum development for both Cancer Care Manitoba and the BScN program for the University of West Indies (UWI).

 

Colleagues have shared that she has a genuine enthusiasm and passion for this field.  “Tara is leading systemic changes in palliative care by shifting the focus from institution-based end-of-life care to integrated, community-based approaches that emphasize earlier intervention, equity and holistic support for patients and caregivers. She has been instrumental in the development and promotion of palliative educational platforms across Ontario.” “Her leadership roles spanning the Regional Palliative Care Network, West Parry Sound Health Centre and major provincial initiatives, speak to her strength as a system builder. She leads collaboratively, thoughtfully, and always with a clear vision for how improvements will ripple down to better care for patients at the most vulnerable time in their lives.”

 

“Tara embodies the very best of our profession: clinical excellence, relentless curiosity, and a deep, human-centered commitment to those receiving palliative care.” “Her laugh is infectious and she utilizes a holistic care perspective, encouraging connectivity and wellness. All of this in addition to being a wife, a mother of three and a volunteer hockey coach.”

The CPCNA is proud and honoured to name Tara Moffatt as the recipient of the 2026 Palliative Care Nursing Leadership Award. We thank her for her dedication and service and believe that she truly exemplifies the principles of CPCNA to ‘Live Well, Die Well, Nurse Well’.