The Barb Mikulin Award was created in Alberta to honour a dedicated member of the CLXT profession. Barb was an active member in the ACCLXT and a contributing member to her community. She tirelessly volunteered for everything and was a shining example to all who knew her. She contributed countless hours to the growth of the CLXT profession in Alberta, expected great things and wanted to ensure that the profession achieved them. Barb was the definition of professionalism, and above all else, put her patients first, and treated all people – coworkers, employees, friends – with the utmost respect.

This award recognizes a CSCLXT member who demonstrates these qualities in a Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologist. The recipient will be announced at the end of CLXT Week. The Nominee for this award will:

• Be a Class A Voting Member in good standing with the CSCLXT
• Be an active participant in a provincial or national society or regulatory body by offering her/his time and efforts
• Be someone who actively serves as a volunteer in their work and/or community
• Be someone who helps promote the CLXT profession
• Be a mentor or advocate for the profession

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2026 Barb Mikulin Award is:

Nicki Bernier

Below are the nominators thoughts on Nicki:

Nicki has been a CLXT at Three Hills Health Center for her entire career, as well as born and raised. Nicki is the tech 2 at Three Hills and out of every site I have worked at, I have never had a more accessible and dedicated leader. She is the one who covers short notice sick calls and vacation coverage she is able to make sure we all can have time off too. She is our Obi Wan Kenobi with all the answers to any and every question you could think of. She is always so happy to be here and greets and treats every patient with a smile, compassion, and goes above and beyond what would be typical. 

She is easily recognizable in the community as much as the hospital. Nicki is always out doing things in the community. She is on the curling club committee, golf club committees, and also plays on both teams. She has 2 boys that she is always supporting in their activities as well. 

Nicki was the face of National Med Lab week in 2023. She is the first to volunteer to go talk to local high school kids about possible careers in health care as well as any other educational days put on in the hospital. Her work ethic is something to aspire too. I think of her as our energizer bunny because she never quits! Between working on the bench or in her office, she never stops until the work is done. She will always answer her phone at any time we call if we have questions. 

Nicki is a great teacher. Always patient, explains things so much better than I could and knows every detail of everything to ensure our students are some of the best that come out of practicum.

I don't think she gets recognized enough for what she does at our site and for the profession. I honestly think we wouldn't be the close knit site we are today if it weren't for her and we sure wouldn't be getting any days off approved!

Congratulations Nicki!