Dec 20, 2024 | Leadership, Faces of HDGH
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on all the incredible moments we’ve shared at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare this past year. We have experienced a journey of growth, resilience, and community spirit. I want to take a moment to celebrate our achievements together and extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you—our dedicated staff and physicians, compassionate volunteers, community partners, and the Windsor-Essex community for their support.
In January, HDGH in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB) were thrilled to be selected for a national demonstration project focused on advancing, strengthening care delivery and improving the outcomes for those living with schizophrenia. Partnering with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is an honour, and it allows us to implement standards that will truly change lives for the better.
Heading into 2024 brought its own set of challenges, as we continued to deal with the aftermath of a cyberattack. I’m incredibly proud to say we successfully rescinded the Code Grey in March, thanks to the tireless efforts of our IT, clinical, and back-office teams. Your patience and support, along with our frontline staff and physicians efforts to continue to serve our patients and clients during this time, has made a world of difference, and I cannot thank you enough.
May was a beautiful month of connection and purpose. HDGH, along with the Métis Nation of Ontario, Ska:na, and Hiatus House, to host our inaugural Moose Hide Campaign, promoting healing and solidarity in the fight against violence towards women and children. Additionally, the launch of HDGH and Windsor Police’s new Crisis Response team (CRT) was a testament to our commitment to the community. The program pairs crisis intervention (CIT) trained frontline police officers with dedicated CIT-trained social workers to provide compassionate support to those in acute crisis situations.
In June, we relocated key programs to the HDGH Downtown Campus, offering private office spaces for one-on-one support, as well as large bright and welcoming rooms. In addition, the Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre (MHAUCC), which supports those in crisis, relocated adjacent to the Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus Emergency department, helping to divert clients from the emergency department and ensuring they receive the appropriate support in a timely manner.
August marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we broke ground on our Outpatient Rehab Clinic. Set to open in October 2025, this facility will offer specialized rehabilitation services for patients with complex neurological and physical disorders. I can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on our community!
Throughout the year, we celebrate and acknowledge one another not only for the support we provide our clients and patients, but also for the encouragement we offer each other. From honouring our dedicated nurses and the transformative impact they have in our community during the annual Nurses Week in May, to fostering the wellness and well-being of our staff and physicians at our annual Wellness, Health and Safety Fair, we truly demonstrate our commitment to working together.
In October, we celebrated Employee Appreciation Week with activities that were as much fun as they were meaningful. From the Hot Wing Challenge kick off to the Service Awards & Retiree Recognition event, and daily trivia games and scavenger hunts, it was a joy to honour the hard work and dedication of our team. You all truly make HDGH a special place!
This year, our community giving initiatives have been nothing short of inspiring. In February, we received generous donations of pickleball equipment for our Regional Children's Centre, bringing joy to our young clients. In July, our "Donate Your Kicks" campaign collected over 170 pairs of running shoes, making a difference in countless lives.
When the Adventure Challenge fundraising event called, our community answered! The event was filled with fun, teamwork, and laughter as we raised essential funds for our Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre. It was great seeing our community come together in such a spirited way.
And let’s not forget our Big Night Party in November, where we raised over $134,000 for Mental Health and Addictions programs. The evening was a beautiful celebration, honouring those who have contributed so much to our mission. The event featured an inspiring speech by former Team Canada Women's Hockey goalie Kendra Fisher, who shared her personal mental health journey, encouraging the crowd to overcome the stigma surrounding mental health and seek help when needed.
As we look forward to the new year, I’m filled with excitement about what’s to come. Our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care, all while embodying our core values of Kindness, Teamwork, Expertise, and Social Responsibility. Guided by our vision of being a trusted leader transforming healthcare and cultivating a healthier community, we strive to ensure that every step we take is infused with compassion and collaboration.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your support, dedication, and compassion make all the difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, let’s continue to create a brighter future for our community.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a New Year filled with hope and promise!
Bill Marra is the President and CEO at HDGH and brings his 35 years of honourable leadership experience in health, public affairs, and community service to the HDGH executive team. Since joining HDGH in 2011, Bill has been steadfast in his goal to make HDGH the safest hospital in Ontario. He created an in-house security team to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers. Bill took on the role of President and CEO in January 2022 and in just one year, he led a person-centered model of care change in the Complex Medical Care and Palliative Units, introduced Personal Support Workers to the healthcare unit, established a HDGH Wellness Committee, and formed an EDII Alliance.
Sep 30, 2024 | Faces of HDGH
I was asked to write a blog about Truth and Reconciliation and I must admit it’s probably the hardest thing I’ve had to do. How do I explain to people the devastation that Canada, the country that most people moved to be a part of has put upon their first people? This was not something from 1492, although that’s roughly when things started according to history, but something that has continued throughout the decades and centuries since.
The recognition that finally came about when so many unmarked graves were found was the catalyst for what we now know as Truth and Reconciliation Day. But beyond the title of Truth and Reconciliation and beyond the 94 recommendations made by the government to make an attempt to improve the future of our First Nations people, there are countless people who have memories of those days and the children and the grand children of those people who turned to substances to hide the pain, shame and horror that was their lives. Many of these individuals never knew how to be part of a family, never learned how to parent, and in turn passed those traumas on to the next generation. There are still many communities without clean water to drink or contaminated air and land that they cannot use to grow food.
This day is not a holiday, it is not a chance to simply have a day off…No, this is a day to mourn and to hold our loved ones close and pray this never happens to them. The fear of this is still present in many people you speak to who have experienced the residential school system, as well as the “60’s scoop”. The system that once again proved only to remove children from loving families guilty only of having a different way of life from those who wanted to assimilate them into a world that was never kind to them.
I ask that if you want to understand to please read up on this history. Talk to some of the people who’ve lived it and then pass that information on to your children so they know and they make sure this history is one that is not repeated. Make sure your children’s school is teaching your children the real truth about Canadian history. Read the recommendations set out and see where you can (if you can) change things in your lives to ensure that you are not adding to this history and continuing it any further.
September 30 is recognized as Orange Shirt Day, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential survivor who at 6 years old was taken from her home and brought to a residential school where she had her new orange shirt immediately taken from her by school staff. Please remember why you wear this shirt when you wear it and keep that in your heart every day, all year. Don’t just “wear” a shirt…understand it!!!!
Aug 12, 2024 | Mental Health, Faces of HDGH
Summer is a time of fun and freedom for children, but it also poses a challenge for parents who are looking to keep their kids entertained in meaningful ways. It’s important for children to have the freedom to choose how they spend some of their time through the summer months. It is equally important to include structured activities to ensure children are engaging in various enriching and interactive activities. Working in children’s mental health, I have collaborated with many parents to develop ways to engage children in activities that foster creativity, learning, physical activity and social skills. Here are some of those tips!
Encouraging children to express themselves creatively can work to boost their mental health, confidence, and feelings of empowerment. This can include crafts, and also dance, drama, and music! Setting up an art station at home with various supplies can provide endless opportunities for creative expression. Consider these ideas:
While it is important that your child have a break from education, keeping their minds active with educational activities can be fun and exciting! Any time your child is trying something new, mastering a new skill, reading, writing, or being exposed to something for the first time, they are learning! Here’s a few ideas:
Physical activity is essential for children’s mental and physical health. Anytime your child is outdoors, they will expend more energy than when inside. Get your kids outside and get them moving! Here are some fun ways to keep your kids active:
Social interactions are crucial for developing important life skills like cooperation, communication, social skills, and empathy. Here are a few ideas:
As a parent, you play a vital role in ensuring your child’s summer is both fun and enriching. By incorporating activities that promote creativity, learning, exercise, and connection, you can help your child enjoy a healthy and balanced summer. Any time you get your child outdoors, moving their bodies, trying or learning something new, or spending time with others, you are promoting their healthy development and their mental health. Get creative, have fun, stay safe, and enjoy a great summer!
Jun 19, 2024 | Faces of HDGH
Every June, the province of Ontario recognizes our older adult population by dedicating the whole month to seniors with a different yearly theme identified alongside it. In honour of Ontario’s Seniors Month 2024 “Working for seniors”, Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) would like to recognize its Specialized Geriatrics portfolio, and highlight the meaningful work these programs provide for seniors, and their formal/informal care partners within our community.
Here at HDGH, we have both inpatient and outpatient supports for our older adult population. Specialized geriatric programs are designed to help avert/decrease hospitalization stays and support clients to remain/transition safely back to their home/LTC within the community. Services are designed to provide specialized assessments that may support a diagnosis, education for capacity building, increased coordination and collaboration between care systems, and ensuring people have access to the services and resources that suit their needs best.
The specialized expertise of its staff is used to provide a time-limited continuum of specialized interdisciplinary services to support the client, and their informal/formal care partners both here at HDGH, and also in the community where they live. Our programs utilize the expertise of 5 Social Workers, 6 Nurses, 2 Nurse Practitioner’s, an Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist, a Kinesiologist, Behaviour Navigator, Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant, an Elder Life Coordinator, and a Dietitian. Along with our specialized allied and nursing teams, our amazing secretarial trio steer these ships and support our day to day operations and clinics alongside the three Geriatricians, and our Geriatric Psychiatrist/psych residents.
HDGH is also the host organization for Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (PGLO) and the Regional Geriatric Program- South West (RGP-SW) for Erie St. Clair. PGLO represents and convenes a provincial network that plans, designs and delivers clinical geriatric services and seniors’ mental health services, called Specialized Geriatric Services (SGS). SGS are coordinated by regional partners that are called Regional Geriatric Programs (RGPs) or Regional Specialized Geriatric Services (RSGS). All RGPs and SGS entities provide strategic and operational leadership for the implementation of clinical geriatric services region-wide, and work with local community and health partners to:
Our SGS Portfolio here at HDGH works hard to advocate, educate, support, and navigate the challenging medical and social ecosystem post-pandemic for their patients and/or their care partners daily to ensure they have what they need for their overall well-being and independence. A warm heartfelt thanks goes out to these teams, for ALL the work they do daily- we appreciate you!
Apr 24, 2024 | Faces of HDGH
As we celebrate Administrative Professional’s Day on April 24th, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the many unsung heroes who keep our workplaces and hospitals running smoothly day in and day out. Behind every successful team lies an efficient, organized, and highly dedicated administrative professional, often the glue that holds everything together.
At HDGH, we’re fortunate to have countless dedicated admin professionals who work tirelessly to support our hospital’s many teams. In honour of Administrative Professional’s Day, we had the privilege of sitting down with one of them! Lisa DePutter is the Admin Assistant for our Lead Agency and Communications & Mission portfolios. She graciously shared her insights and experiences with us.
My journey hasn’t been straight forward like it is for some, but each opportunity left me better equipped to handle the next and formed long lasting relationships. My first-ever administrative position was a co-op placement at an accounting firm. Eventually, wanderlust would lead me to a receptionist position on a cruise ship in the Bahamas.
In Vancouver, I held the position of Secretary to the President of a gold mining company and, after it stopped producing gold, I jumped at the unique opportunity to be the sales and marketing manager of a BC Wedding Publication. Two years later, I purchased 50% of the publication, grew the business and in 3 years sold it to our strongest competitor. I am very client service oriented. The sale of our business was bittersweet, but it allowed me to move closer to my soon-to-be husband, an RCMP officer located in a small, remote community. I went back to administrative work at a very small, remote hospital where I wore many hats. From managing rental properties for locums and flying in nurses for vacant shifts to coordinating tabletop Tsunami exercises, my admin role was pretty diverse.
Eventually, we would leave the area as remote RCMP postings are limited in duration. A more permanent move would find me walking through the doors of 1453 Prince Road in Windsor. During my time on this campus, first with WRH and then HDGH, I’ve provided administrative support to the Director of Complex Care, the Director Rehabilitation, the Program Medical Director of Restorative Care, the Director of Research & Project Management and their portfolios. Currently, I support the Executive Lead for Lead Agency for Child & Youth Mental Health and the Director of Communication & Mission and portfolio. Working throughout the HDGH campus has provided me with knowledge that I wouldn’t otherwise have and has proven to be helpful in my role. I've also learned that I have some amazing colleagues!
Most recently, I’ve been involved with coordinating the HDGH Clothing Closets [which helps supply patients and clients in need with a variety of clothing items year-round].
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to provide support to an HDGH team while they vaccinated residents at a long-term care home. I am also trained in mask fit testing, so I was able to provide additional mask fitting support to the Occupation Health & Safety department here and at our Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre (CMWC) during the pandemic. Prior to the Pandemic I organized the HDGH WW at Work Program.
During my time in BC, I initiated and spearheaded the upgrade of the hospital phone system after I discovered unused allocated dollars. I also initiated and coordinated various site improvement projects. I like to coordinate things!
Prioritizing tasks and then blocking time in my calendar to complete them helps to keep organized. Also, setting reminders in my calendar for upcoming deadlines. Colour coding my incoming email also helps to keep me organized. I’m not sure what I would do without a to-do- list (a blend of paper and electronic), both at work and at home! Anticipating the needs of those I support also helps when trying to plan ahead.
The Patient Benevolent Fund was established by our Corporate Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) as a means of assisting patients facing severe financial hardship – meaning that all family, savings, community programs, etc. have already been explored and exhausted. For example, the social worker of a patient/client who might not afford a wrist brace that would benefit their therapeutic plan of care/recovery could apply to have the Benevolent Fund cover this expense.
My role is to guide the application process, coordinate purchases and payments, then work with the HDGH Foundation to disburse funds. It’s a very good feeling to be a part of helping patients who are struggling in this way.
This is a good question and there are lots of lessons. One lesson is understanding that everyone we work with has a significant role. There was an occasion where I was the only non-union person working at the small, remote hospital I mentioned earlier. I was notified that I would be trained in Dietary and Environmental Services (ES) due to friendly job action. I was terrified but managed to cook, learned about special diets, and the interactions I had with patients while serving meal trays was a highlight. I honed my cleaning skills, and developed a deep appreciation for my ES and Dietary colleagues. I also discovered that a hospital has a lot of toilets!
Oh, and always remember to smile... at everyone!
From managing numerous schedules, to always being willing to raise her hand for additional projects outside her scope of work, and being an overall delight to have on your team, Lisa embodies the essence of professionalism, dedication, and having a positive attitude under pressure.
When reflecting on her time working with Lisa, Nicole Crozier HDGH’s Director of Communications & Mission, shared the following:
"Lisa seamlessly manages tasks with her adaptability, discretion and calm demeanor. She keeps everything on track, with a great attention to detail, but for me, it is her friendly, always willing to help attitude that shines through. Her role in the Clothing Closet and Benevolent Fund really showcases Lisa’s patient-family centred approach. Happy Administrative Assistant Day to all the AA’s at HDGH!”
Lori Kempe, HDGH’s Executive Lead, Lead Agency Child and Youth Mental Health, had these kind words to share:
“It is truly a pleasure working with Lisa. Lisa genuinely enjoys providing assistance and support to others – whether it is a colleague, a patient, or a visitor – and always with a smile. Lisa enjoys connecting with people and extending kindness to everyone – showing care beyond her role.”
Please join us in honouring and celebrating the many dedicated admin professionals who make a world of difference behind the scenes, today and every day. Happy Administrative Professional’s Day!
Lisa is the Administrative Assistant for the Leady Agency and Communications & Mission portfolios at HDGH. She started at HDGH in 2010 and has supported a variety of teams including Complex Care, Rehabilitative Care, Restorative Care, and Research & Project Management. Prior to moving back to Ontario, Lisa lived in British Columbia where she worked for a gold mining company, the Vancouver Island Health Authority and owned a wedding publication called the Westcoast Bridal Guide.
Mar 8, 2024 | Faces of HDGH
This month, to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we sat down with Donna Wellington, a senior executive at Henry Ford Health and board member at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, and Sharmaine Tanario-Battagello, a Social Worker in our Withdrawal Management Centre, to talk about this year’s theme (“Investing in women: accelerating progress”), their experiences as women in healthcare, and the power of representation.
About Donna. Donna is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 25 years of leadership experience at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Michigan. She currently serves as the SVP, Chief Ambulatory Officer and VP System Primary Care, where she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, operational management and integration of ambulatory care services ensuring high quality patient centered care across the ambulatory footprint. Donna is highly experienced in hospital operations, ambulatory care, and behavioral health services. She has held roles such as VP Operations at Henry Ford Hospital, COO Behavioral Health, Nurse Administrator and Senior Administrator at various Henry Ford Medical Group departments such as Women’s Health, Dermatology, Urology, Primary Care and Pediatrics. Donna's impact extends beyond Henry Ford Health as she serves on multiple boards including the Ontario Hospital Association and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. Donna was named a 2020 honouree to the prestigious Top 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women and is a fellow of the AHA and Carol Emmott Fellowship.
Personally, International Women’s Day is a reminder of the incredible potential and power of all women everywhere. It is a momentous occasion that resonates deeply with me as a celebration of strength, resilience, and empowerment. It is a day to recognize and acknowledge the remarkable women who are making a significant impact in our community, country and the world, inspiring change. Yet, despite progress made, there are still persistent challenges and disparities that women face worldwide. The annual recognition of International Women's Day for me is symbolic reminder of being inclusive of all individuals, as we not only honour the contributions and experiences of women but also reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive, succeed, and contribute fully to the betterment of society.
The impact of organizations investing in women is profound and wide-ranging. When organizations invest in women it can strengthen the workforce by enhancing decision-making, boosting employee morale, and driving overall business success. It is not just a moral imperative; it is a smart business decision that benefits everyone involved.
On the flip side, the lack of investment in women creates a lack of gender diversity which can result in a homogenous and insular work culture that hinders organizational growth, and minimizes the diverse range of perspectives, ideas, and talents that women bring to the table.
In healthcare specifically, the absence of women leaders can lead to a lack of understanding of women's health issues. Women healthcare leaders bring increased advocacy for initiatives that address gender-specific health concerns, promote equitable access to healthcare services, and advance policies that benefit women's health. This is an important voice at decision making tables.
I have been very fortunate to work at an organization (Henry Ford Health) that wholeheartedly champions diversity, inclusion and equity by fostering an empowering environment where every individual’s unique strengths and perspectives are celebrated and valued.
I think everyone, however, can think of a time when they did not feel included. Many come to me as a child in school, playing on teams, etc. – there is a universal feeling of exclusion. A sense of disconnect and a lack of recognition from others is demoralizing and can hinder one’s sense of belonging, motivation, and create self-doubt.
Rather than letting self-doubt consume me, I chose to take a proactive approach. I reflect on the situation – consider the context, people involved, and my own perception. I seek out feedback from trusted individuals and, depending on the situation, may provide feedback (assuming innocence) so that they are aware of how I felt and what we could do better so no one else feels excluded.
That being said, it is important to engage fully when sitting at the table discussion and more importantly ensuring when leading the table discussion to be proactive to foster a sense of belonging, inclusivity and wellbeing to ensure all voices are heard.
As a leader, every day I strive to create an environment where inclusion is not just a buzzword, but a lived reality for everyone on our team. I firmly believe that diversity is our greatest strength, and I make it my mission to ensure that each and every individual feels heard, valued, and respected. I lead by example- actively seeking out different perspectives, and encouraging open and honest communication. I foster a culture where differences are celebrated, not feared, and where every voice is not only welcomed but actively sought out. By promoting empathy, understanding, and collaboration, I empower my team to embrace their uniqueness and leverage their individual strengths to collectively achieve greatness. I feel there is no better feeling than being able to be your authentic self every day at work. I strive to create an environment of inclusivity, where innovation flourishes and relationships deepen creating a space where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are a team united by our shared vision and boundless respect for one another. I recall a speaker ending her talk with the following: “If you can’t be who you are, where you are- then change where you are NOT who you are!” I strive every day to create a space for staff to be WHO THEY ARE.
One memorable lesson I've learned as a leader is the fervent importance of using my voice and staying true to myself. There will always be noise and distractions, so it is essential to speak up for what I believe in, share my unique perspective, and advocate for what is right. By being authentic and genuine in my words and actions, I hope that I create trust and respect from others but also pave the way for meaningful change in addition to creating a safe place for others to feel they can speak up. Embracing my voice as a powerful tool for positive impact has not only enriched my leadership journey but I hope has made a difference in the lives of those around me, fostering a culture of authenticity, empowerment, and genuine connection.
About Sharmaine. Sharmaine is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker II at our Withdrawal Management Centre, with nearly 15 years of experience at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. She is registered as both a Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, lending her expertise to support patients in their journey towards recovery. Previously, Sharmaine worked as a Program Developer in our Bariatric program before transitioning to her current position. Prior to returning to Canada, she was employed in the United States, working at various institutions including Henry Ford Health, St. John Hospital, and Beaumont.
I was in my late teens and working at a weight loss clinic, the services were based on sales not helping individuals deal with many of the psychological and emotional struggles that are often attached to obesity. While working in this environment I realized I wanted to focus on psychology so I entered into my undergraduate with a focus on psychology and sociology. Once I completed my undergraduate studies I completed a masters in organizational psychology. Even though the work was very rewarding, I realized many corporate struggles involve employees who are also struggling personally. I moved out of the corporate domain and back into individual client care under a Master in Clinical Social Work.
Since graduate school I have worked in different community agencies and hospitals from the Toronto Ontario area to Michigan, most of my work had a focus in either addiction or mental health or concurrent disorder.
When looking into substance use disorder both research and lived experience have demonstrated that women react differently to substances, lifestyle of addiction, and engage in recovery differently than men. Substance use treatment often lumps client care together and neglects to look at significant differences between clients. When addressing the matter of female biology, social issues attached to women and society, and psychological issues faced by women; having even more focus on women’s treatment and women caring for women has been shown to increase recovery stability.
Prevailing reasons to invest in female-focused recovery services, which are also often identified in research studies:
Healthcare in Canada still falls under a very Western perspective, but I have been fortunate enough to see strides in ethnocultural and racial elements being added into our healthcare process. Canada still has a significant way to go in their healthcare inclusion but maintaining a positive advocacy process helps to provide a voice to the often voiceless.
I believe the continued development of women’s specific care issues being addressed in all hospital departments will add to the amazing medical system we already have.
Know your history regarding medical care for patients/clients from underrepresented backgrounds and maintain updated information about your underrepresented communities' expressed medical needs and desired care.
To dive deeper into the significance of International Women’s Day and to discover ways to get involved in creating a more equitable world, we encourage you to visit the following:
Whether it’s participating in local events, supporting women-led initiatives, or advocating for policies that promote gender quality, every action counts. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, uplift each other, and work towards a future where every woman and girl can thrive without barriers. Happy International Women’s Day!
Feb 15, 2024 | Faces of HDGH
Black History Month is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of Black people and their communities and their part in our heritage.
BHM is meaningful to me as it exemplifies individuals and actions that make me proud to be a Black man and a part of the Black community. Many of the great individuals and acts that have been revealed to me through Black history are very contrary to the negative images I was raised to believe about Black people. In celebration of Black History Month, I look for events to attend as the Windsor-Essex area is very rich with Black history.
It is important that organizations like HDGH celebrate BHM because it brings people together. I stated prior that I was unaware of the great individuals and acts that Black History Month has revealed to me. However, this information wasn’t just withheld from me. It is with great intention that sharing these stories may help members of organizations like HDGH see their fellow colleagues in a different way and further embrace the diversity surrounding them.
Black Excellence means so much to me, I see Black excellence in individuals like Lebron James. Most of us just see an athlete that plays basketball. However, I see an individual who, despite only having a high school education and coming from a single parent home, has become a philanthropist that has opened a school, a producer, and a dedicated husband and father. He is also willing to stand behind his beliefs and attempts to use his platform responsibly. To me that is Black excellence. It’s not based on finances or fame, it’s about your inner spirit.
I got started in the EDI field through a colleague that I worked with here at HDGH. We had many in depth conversations about my life as a Black man. She was at times saddened and shocked by the stories I would share. She was in management and had been told that there was anti-Black racism committee being formed and urged me to join. The rest is history. I found a passion for this work, and I have been blessed to now be able to work on the development of our new EDI program.
I would describe EDI as an investment. Yes, the tenants of EDI are morally correct, but EDI also pays dividends. Just like any other investment: input equates output. Studies show that organizations that have a work culture immersed in EDI strategies outperform other organizations by leaps and bounds. EDI creates a pathway for worker satisfaction, a sense of belonging, and happiness. These conditions equate optimal output for any organization.
My biggest piece of advice for people wanting to implement EDI more is to approach and embrace change. Look at situations with openness and a willingness to learn. EDI is about treating one another fairly and sharing the table.
What excites me the most about my role as EDI Manager is the opportunity to create the foundation of a program that will make the environment and culture here at HDGH even better than it is now. I hope that long after I am gone the work we start now, together, will grow for generations to come.
Martin Thompson is the Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. He has been an HDGH employee for over 20 years and has worked in various roles over the years including: Emergency Department Unit Aide, Environmental Services Worker, Materials Management Clerk, Transporter, Wheelchair Tech, ACT Peer Support, and ACT Manager.
If you would like to learn more about Black history and anti-Black racism, please explore these links:
Dec 14, 2023 | Community and Partnerships, Faces of HDGH
When I reflect on 2023, so many memories rush to mind. A return to normalcy saw us hosting the postponed Big Night Gala in late March, the presentation of not one, but two, golf tournaments, and so many heartwarming stories of donors wishing to support HDGH with generosity that is, at all times, humbling. We could not have foreseen what was to come with a cyber-attack and the need to once again push back our gala by one year.
Despite the challenges, the spirit of giving and support prevails and once again we witnessed the unwavering generosity of the community of Windsor-Essex. With the Gala postponed, the majority of guests decided to hold on to their tickets for a 2024 Gala or convert their ticket price to a direct donation to HDGH’s Mental Health and Addictions programs as they were to receive all the funds raised from the 2023 event.
In the spirit of doing good, we launched a new fundraising initiative this year, The Giving Era Campaign which coincided with Giving Tuesday. This campaign enjoyed a fun play on the extremely popular Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour by gifting every donor of $30 or more a friendship bracelet. To learn more about this campaign visit www.hdgh.org/givingera.
Proving once again that our employees and supporters will not be deterred regardless of the challenges we face, we launched our 37th annual Tree of Lights Campaign on November 14. On this day the spirit of the holidays was very much present as our dedicated employees placed ornaments on the tree in memory of loved ones. As an organization, the tree lighting ceremony is our way of kicking off the giving season by remembering what is most important – the family and friends that we surround ourselves with. The heartwarming ceremony also provides us an opportunity to pause and, at times, share a glimpse into each other’s hearts.
The Tree of Lights campaign continues to run through to the end of the calendar year with donations supporting HDGH employees by providing specialized education and training. As a specialty hospital focusing on Mental Health and Addictions, Rehabilitative Care, Complex Medical and Palliative Care and Children and Youth Mental Health, your donation to the Tree of Lights allows our employees to expand their knowledge and skills in these specific areas. If you wish to support the campaign and honour someone you love, donations can be made at www.hdgh.org/treeoflights
As we look back at the past year, we are fortunate to see all the countless acts of goodness that has been achieved. For us in the HDGH Foundation team, what we see with clarity is the good in our community, the compassion and care we have for our neighbours and colleagues, and the generosity of spirit that is present all year long. This message shines through as bright as the Christmas lights we see throughout Windsor-Essex.
We want to express our deepest thanks to our incredible colleagues and employees who so often inspire our patients and families to give. With the expression of a kind word when delivering a meal tray, to a gentle touch when helping a patient into bed, to a calm visit from a member of our Spiritual Health team, each of you inspire our leadership and our supporters. I wish to extend my heartfelt expression of gratitude for our donors help, kindness and support. We wish you all the best this holiday season and a happy and healthy 2024.
Barb Sebben is the Executive Director of the HDGH Foundation and Academic and Volunteer Placements. She has been an HDGH employee for over 20 years, starting out as a coordinator in the Public Affairs department. Prior to joining HDGH, she helped fundraise for the Children’s Safety Village and worked at Centres for Seniors Windsor (now Life After 50).
Oct 23, 2023 | Faces of HDGH, Spirituality
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare prides itself on our long-standing history of providing person-centred, value-based care to the Windsor-Essex community and beyond. Since 1888, is has been our mission to care for our community’s most vulnerable and marginalized, today, that mission stands and is provided in a number of ways.
When a patient or client at HDGH, your care team may consist of numerous individuals from various disciplines, including nurses, physicians, and allied health team members, who care for your physical recovery; social workers and mental health practitioners to care for your mind; and spiritual health practitioners to care for your heart and spirit.We believe that our bodies, mind, and spirit are all parts of us that deserve healing. That is why we believe that Spiritual Care is integral to our patients’ and clients’ recovery, a part of their health. As we move forward with care provided at HDGH, you will now see us refer to our Spiritual Care team as our Spiritual Health team, a name reflective of the invaluable work that our Spiritual Health Practitioners do each day as members of the care team.As we celebrate this new department name, as part of the larger Communications and Mission portfolio, we must also celebrate the team. In this special Spiritual Care Week blog, we are pleased to share a bit about our Lead Spiritual Health Practitioner, Hilton Gomes, and Spiritual Health Practitioners Sarah Stockford, and Olfat Sakr. Read as each member shares what guided them to work in Spiritual Health.“When I became a priest in 1999, I used to volunteer in a hospital in Brazil. In 2007 I came to Canada. One of the first things I did when I arrived in Leamington was to volunteer at the hospital there, because I saw so many people looking for somebody that was not the doctor or family member, that could share some of their feelings, some of their dilemmas, even some family dynamics; they wanted to talk to somebody that could perhaps help them reconnect with family before they died. And so the hospital would start calling me to come see other people.When I moved to Windsor in 2010, again I applied to be a volunteer at Windsor Regional, and also here at HDGH. One day I came here to see a patient from one of my churches, and the former Chaplain said to me, ‘Would you mind coming to visit somebody that does not have a religion or church, but has a very strong connection with God?’. So I came to see this person and after that, the Chaplain was calling me all the time for ‘unchurched’ people or people that had a connection with the church and God but lost that connection and at the end of their life, they want to reconnect. So I started coming here two-three times a week to see these patients, spend time with them, their families. The opportunity came to be a full-time Chaplain, Spiritual Health Practitioner here, I applied for the job and here I am, almost 6 years later.It’s more than praying, it’s more than talking about God. It’s creating a safe haven where people can be themselves without being judged. And we are able to help them understand that that is what God is. He loves you the way that you are, with everything that you have done in your life, God loves you and He is there for you. I truly believe that He will never turn His back on anyone for any reason. So I want to make sure that we continue to build this bridge between people and God instead of creating barriers for them to access God, to access Heaven. I think that’s why we are here.”- Hilton Gomes, Lead Spiritual Health Practitioner“My Mom is a Registered Nurse so I definitely grew up at the hospital, I was always there. So I always had a huge respect for the work that healthcare workers provided to their patients and the different challenges that they went through. I grew up hearing lots of different stories and always felt like I was very much involved, even though I was just a kid. As I got older, I felt called from God to work in the church, or provide some way to work with Him. As I’ve gone on this journey, I stumbled upon this job [at HDGH]. I wasn’t sure what it was going to lead to, but I had taken some classes in my schooling on Spiritual Health and Spirituality, and had really grown to understand how spirituality is where we go to make meaning in our lives, where we go to find some sort of comfort; to find answers, something that helps us go to sleep at night, to find some sort of peace. My Mom always spoke about how she so appreciated the Chaplains at her hospital. They no longer have Chaplains there and she always shares how she misses them so much and the impact that they had, not just on the patients, but on the staffs’ lives as well - they were able to process the things they had seen or gone through. I always feel like it’s such an honour to be welcomed into our patients’, our staff, and our families’ lives during this time, it’s such a difficult time for so many people and so it’s an honour to be welcomed in and to be able to help them make that mean, to find that process, to be that non-judgmental ear. I always say ‘I’ll listen to you, and you can tell me whatever you want to share with me. There are no rules, no set check list that we need to go through – the doctors and the nurses, they have the wonderful things that they need to go and do, but I don’t have that, I have this freedom, this ability, to just be with you during this time, whether that be in silence or in conversation. We can talk about God and religion and do that meaning-making, or we can talk about cats and dogs if that’s what you really want to talk about, and just be there for you.’”- Sarah Stockford, Spiritual Care PractitionerIn July 2023, we were thrilled to welcome Olfat Sakr as the newest member of our Spiritual Health Team. “I think it started way before I read the terms ‘Chaplain’ or ‘Spiritual Care’. When my great-Aunt was sick and bedridden, she was widowed and had no children, and so it was basically her nephews – my Dad and Uncles – who took care of her. At some point she had to be placed in Egypt’s equivalent of a retirement home. My Uncles and my Dad would go check in, see what she needed, checking in with the doctors, nurses, but it was always a quick in and out, 5 minutes to see how she was doing. I remember prior to that, when her brother had talked to her about potentially needing more care, that we can’t offer you, and she didn’t even let him finish his sentence. She was very offended and hurt, and I remembered that. And so every other day after work I would go sit her with for a bit, to kind of be that compassionate presence to let her know ‘we did not abandon you, we love you, we are still here’. No agendas, just showing up.It was interesting, many years later, I was looking into Chaplaincy, I didn’t know that there were Chaplains in hospitals, I thought it was just in the community, universities, and then when I did my Master’s program, they said my placements were in hospitals. I thought, ‘Huh! I did that a long time ago without realizing it.’ There is a quote that I came across recently, it says, ‘there is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you’. Nurses, doctors, they are all there to support patients in different ways, but there is what is going on inside. Showing up to let them tell their stories, to be witnesses and companions on their journey, there’s healing in that too. And sometimes with the business of needing to get things done, we may forget that that is just as important.I spoke to a patient as few weeks ago and we were talking about some heavy stuff. He suddenly, abruptly stops talking and looks at me, and he says, ‘I’m not in as much pain as I was!’ And this was not prompted. I asked him how would he rate his pain usually, and he said ‘at a 10 and now it’s at a 7! Can you come back and see me?!’. And so when that space is given, there is healing in that that also helps with the care that they are getting at the hospital. As Spiritual Health, we are part of the whole team.”- Olfat Sakr, Spiritual Health PractitionerIn addition to routinely visiting patients and clients at HDGH, our Spiritual Health team offers a number of services:
HDGH has a beautiful Chapel for quiet reflection and prayer. The Chapel is located on the second floor of the Emara Building, to the left when getting off of the elevators. The Chapel is open 24 hours a day.
HDGH also offer two Multi-Faith Quiet Rooms which are available 24 hours a day: