Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) has launched its first formal Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) plan.
“As an organization that serves some of Canada’s most diverse communities, MSH must foster an environment of equity and inclusivity,” said Jo-anne Marr, President and CEO of MSH.
“We are committed to listening, learning and understanding to ensure every person can work and receive care safely, openly and honestly, and embedding an anti-oppression approach in all aspects of our internal policies, processes and practices to address systemic inequities and power imbalances.”
Marr adds that the launch of the EDI plan “builds on important progress we have made over the last five years. This includes rejuvenating our code of behaviour and corporate values, launching an EDI committee, and more formally recognizing Pride month.”
MSH is also a member of the Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG), which helped York Region take an historic step forward with the launch of its first Inclusion Charter in 2019.
“Everyone is welcome in Markham and the launch of Markham Stouffville Hospital’s equity, diversity and inclusion plan complements the City of Markham’s Diversity Action Plan, which was developed to further strengthen our commitment towards inclusion and celebrating our diversity,” Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said.
“This year, the city will be updating its Diversity Action Plan and we look forward to collaborating with organizations like Markham Stouffville Hospital on various initiatives and consultations.”
The EDI plan provides a framework for MSH EDI activities and serves as a resource to enable MSH to sustain and advance its efforts. The EDI framework incorporates MSH’s strategic objectives and uses an anti- oppression approach to supporting a workplace that actively seeks to rectify systemic inequities and honours its values.
MSH aims to deliver an extraordinary patient experience with enhanced interpretation and translation services.
MSH will implement EDI training for board members, leadership and staff; develop an EDI recruitment plan so hospital team best reflects the diversity of the community; launch communities of inclusion peer support and advisory group; and add an EDI specific question to the iReport system to better understand if discrimination contributes to violence in the workplace.
To learn more, visit https://www.msh.on.ca/about-us/equity-diversity-and-inclusion.
