AADMD names DDNA Nurse of the Year

Doreen Canton was honored as the Nurse of the Year at the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) and American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) meeting held recently in Orlando, FL.  Doreen stands out among her peers for her vision and resourcefulness in creating meaningful lives for people with DD.  While at Golden Gate Regional Center in San Francisco, she developed training DVD's to help teach best practices.   She is a superb teacher for caregivers.  She developed individualized program plans for individuals with complex medical and behavioral problems, and has developed new resources in the community to serve them.

Doreen is a person to whom clinicians and case workers can go with their most challenging ethical, administrative and clinical questions. She takes on the most challenging problems, and delivers solutions.  For example, while too modest to take credit, Doreen provided key leadership in designing model services, health care and homes for people moving out of the Agnews Developmental Center.  The individuals who moved are some of the state's most fragile individuals.  She developed careful transition plans.  These individuals, who many thought could not be served outside of institutions, are now thriving in their own homes.  The Agnews closure has received national recognition for quality and innovation in serving people with complex disabilities in the community.

Doreen is now demonstrating her steadfast commitment to quality and service as care coordinator at Health Plan of San Mateo where she is helping develop new clinical services for people with DD.  No matter where she works or where she goes, when a patient has a problem, Doreen finds a way to solve it.  As a Certified DDNA nurse, Doreen is a member of a select group of nursing leaders who elevate the profession through their commitment to excellence.