In the heart of our community, St. Joe’s stands as a beacon of compassion and care, committed unwaveringly to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Healthcare is a universal right, and it is our duty to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors receives the highest quality care. More than ever, it is important to recognize the discrimination and barriers faced by equity-deserving groups, and how these experiences impact health outcomes. In an era marked by growing recognition of the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in healthcare, St. Joe’s has emerged as a pivotal organization in our ongoing efforts championing these principles.
St. Joe’s recognizes that the diversity of our healthcare workers is our strength. Throughout the year we have celebrated the rich tapestry of backgrounds, experiences and talents that our employees bring to the organization, unlocking a culture where everyone feels valued, and supported, and has an equal chance to contribute and thrive.
It is critical for our healthcare workers’ well-being to experience a feeling of belonging at St. Joe’s. Dialysis Technologist Jessica witnessed the Pride flag raised at St. Joe’s when she first started working at the hospital, signaling that as a trans woman, she was in a safe place. That’s when she knew that when she was ready to come out, there would be people on her side.
“[My team] told me that they’re proud and that what I did was brave. They’re happy for me. They’re sorry that I felt I had to hide. They let me know they would support me and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. I even heard from the interim president of the hospital.” – Jessica
As St. Joe’s continue through its EDI and Indigenous reconciliation journey, we acknowledge that our healthcare workers are each at different stages of their own journeys, and many are directly impacted by experiences of colonization, racism, discrimination and hate. “As part of our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada ‘s Call to Action #22, we’re encouraging our healthcare workers to take concrete action and actively engage in learning opportunities to provide more culturally safe care to Indigenous patients, and to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices,” explains senior EDI consultant, Lisa Jeffs.
As a leader in mental health care, free and confidential support is always available to St. Joe’s healthcare workers, with the additional support added during the COVID-19 pandemic extended indefinitely. Through our EDI work, additional support groups for 2SLGBTQ+ healthcare workers and community youth are available, as is free counselling for 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous healthcare workers.
St. Joe’s works hard to foster an environment where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and every person feels respected and included. This year, through an ongoing listening tour, St. Joe’s actively sought out diverse voices and perspectives, both among employees, volunteers, the leadership team and community members, exploring issues of race and ethnicity, culture, gender, ability and sexual orientation to ensure those with lived experiences see themselves are at the centre of our EDI work.
“The session was valuable. Our input was heard and accurately recorded — the facilitator understood our thoughts well. It was a good learning experience. I know that my thoughts will be taken into account.”
There is no finish line in this journey at St. Joe’s. We are hopeful by the progress we have made and inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead. St. Joe’s commitment to EDI and Indigenous reconciliation is unwavering, and we recognize that it is through continuous efforts and collaboration that we can create an organization that truly serves all members of our community.