CSA Group, a leading standards development organization and global provider of testing and certification services, today officially announces Susan Lafferty, as the recipient of the 2014 John Jenkins Award. The award, CSA Group’s most prestigious honour, is bestowed upon the person who is judged to have rendered distinguished service in the development, advancement, and application of voluntary standards.

The 2014 John Jenkins Award was presented to Susan Lafferty by Dr. Roland Hosein, Chair of the Board, CSA Group, at a special awards ceremony held during the CSA Group Annual Conference in Prince Edward Island. The award recognizes her leadership, valued mentorship, exceptional knowledge and tireless advancement of CSA Group health care standards.

“Susan Lafferty has participated in the development and revision of CSA Group standards for nearly 25 years.  Her contributions to health care have helped to introduce new standards in sterilization of medical devices, facility engineering and physical plant in Canada and around the world,” says Bonnie Rose, President, Standards, CSA Group. “With her breadth of knowledge, warm personality, mentoring and pride of work, Mrs. Lafferty has contributed to the improvement of health care for everyone.”

In her role as Chair of the Z314.8 sub-committee on decontamination of reusable medical devices, she demonstrated skillful leadership in guiding the document to its completion. Her remarkable knowledge and practical experience has been a strong influence in maintaining the quality and application of the Z314 series. Through Mrs. Lafferty’s work, and the efforts of CSA Group staff and other members, CSA Group standards are now referenced in hospital accreditation requirements for medical device processing by Accreditation Canada. Mrs. Lafferty also led Canadian involvement in an innovative international ISO/TC198 standard specifying the information medical device manufacturers had to provide to hospitals for reprocessing of reusable devices.

Mrs. Lafferty is a highly regarded leader in auditing medical device reprocessing in both public and private facilities.  She has worked with committee experts to develop a CSA Group personnel certification program for medical device reprocessing technicians. In addition to her consulting services, Mrs. Lafferty is a Registered Nurse with Alberta Health Services where she works as an Infection Control Practitioner.

About the John Jenkins Award

The John Jenkins Award is CSA Group’s most prestigious honour. Nominations for the Award are open to individuals who have: shown leadership in various areas – through personal involvement over a period of years – in the development, advancement, and application of voluntary standards; encouraged the development and advancement of standards both nationally and internationally; and through foresight and action, helped to substantially advance the arts and sciences related to standardization. CSA Group employees are not eligible.

Established in 1978 in memory of Dr. John Jenkins, the award commemorates the devotion and commitment demonstrated by Dr. Jenkins’ more than 27 years of voluntary service to CSA Group and standards development. Dr. Jenkins immigrated to Canada from England in 1912 and went on to graduate from the University of British Columbia in 1923 as the country’s first Forest Engineer. He served as a Colonel and Director of Military Planning at Defence Headquarters during World War II and, before his retirement in 1966, he was Director of the Forest Products Research Branch for the Federal Department of Forestry.

During his time with CSA Group, Dr. Jenkins served as President – now called Chairman of the Board – from 1967 to 1969, Chairman of the Standards Policy Board from 1969 to 1977, and Chairman of all major Standards committees related to lumber and building products. On June 19, 1975, Dr. Jenkins was inducted as an Honorary Member of CSA Group in recognition of his outstanding service. He passed away at his Ottawa home on November 7, 1977.

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit member-based association dedicated to advancing safety, sustainability and social good. We are an internationally-accredited standards development and testing & certification organization. We also provide consumer product evaluation and education & training services. Our broad range of knowledge and expertise includes: industrial equipment, plumbing & construction, electro-medical & healthcare, appliances & gas, alternative energy, lighting and sustainability. The CSA mark appears on billions of products around the world.

Contact

Allison Hawkins
Manager, Corporate Affairs
CSA Group
416-747-2615
[email protected]