Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.
As we approach Canada Day and the summer months, I wanted to reach out with a quick update on some progress we have been making as we wrap up the 2023-24 fiscal year.
First, we recently reported to both staff and community partners on the progress with the Year Two implementation of Strategic Plan 2026. If you missed it live, you can watch the All-Staff Session here or read about Year Two in the Annual Report.
On the staffing front, I am happy to report that over the past few weeks we have onboarded many new staff and Professional Staff. To all our new staff, I truly appreciate your decision to start your career or continue your career with us. We wholeheartedly welcome you and look forward to working with you and learning as a team on how we can better the care we provide. Thank you for choosing us and I trust your experience to date has been positive. My door is always open if you’d like to chat.
As mentioned in my May Blog, an environmental refresh is underway in our Hospital. The initial renovations have begun within the in-patient rooms of the 3C – Surgery and Neurosurgery Unit. The work will continue throughout the summer with little disruption to the units. You will likely observe contractors coming and going as they work to revitalize the care spaces with new paint, fixtures, floor polishing, minor repairs, and decorative accents to revitalize each room. The work will progress to other areas as project timelines are followed with the next units 3B and 3A In-Patient Surgery Units. The upgrades will contribute to a more positive workspace and patient experience.
Now, while summer is here, as a tertiary care academic health sciences centre, we know patient needs don’t stop just because of the season. People need care and we need to be ready to provide patients and families the care that is culturally appropriate and responsive to their needs. As you likely know, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) pillar of our Strategic Plan 2026 was a major focus throughout the year and we continue to work on embedding EDI in everything we do for staff, professional staff, volunteers, patients and families. In case you missed it, see what we have done and where we are going with this pillar – EDI VIDEO. Thank you for all your hard work in bringing us closer to our vision Exceptional care for every patient, every time. Your incredible work is making a difference.
To that end, to celebrate you and thank you for all your hard work through the year, we hope you had a chance to make it to the Staff Appreciation BBQ for some incredible food and comradery. I was thrilled to take part in this event and see so many of you that I don’t often get to see.
Thank you to the many people involved in making this a success and especially to all of you who make our Hospital and Health Research Institute community a great place to work, thrive and grow.
In addition, it was great to attend the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration and Awards Dinner on June 19th. The event is an opportunity to celebrate those who make a difference by giving their time and energy to perform a vital role as they support various programs and services – all in support of our vision of Exceptional care for every patient, every time. Volunteer roles span a number of services and administrative activities that may encompass supporting patients either directly or indirectly. We value the work of volunteers and the dinner was just one way to thank them for their commitment. Thank you to all the volunteers that are such a big part of our Hospital and Health Research Institute community. We couldn’t do it without you!
Finally, I would like to thank Gord Wickham, our outgoing Hospital Board Chair for his dedication and guidance over the last three years. During his tenure, there were incredible accomplishments made and success with many challenges. Such as managing our way through the various stages of COVID-19, launching a new Strategic Plan, and obtaining accreditation with exemplary standing; to name a few. We are grateful for Gord’s leadership and guidance and we look forward to upholding the highest standards of governance and stewardship with our newly appointed Board Chair, Pat Lang. Pat is an incredible addition as Board Chair with an immense amount of leadership and community experience. She brings to the role her current experience as a Director and Chair of Operations with Ornge, and former experience as the President of Confederation College, and former Director of Cancer Care Ontario. In addition, Pat was also honoured as a member of the Order of Canada in 2017. Pat has incredible insight on health care and I look forward to working with her and the full Board moving forward.
As always, I invite you to provide me your feedback on these blogs or on any other matter. You can contact me at: rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
