Our RISE program offers confidential, anonymous, and timely peer support.

#1 Build a people-centred culture

In April 2023, we launched our Resilience in Stressful Events (RISE) program across the organization.

“RISE offers confidential, anonymous, and timely peer support to Oak Valley Health staff, professional staff, and volunteers who have been affected by a stressful, patient-related event,” says Vivian Yee, Manager, Language Navigation, EDI, RISE at Oak Valley Health. "Our goal is to foster a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to share their experiences and receive the emotional support they need to continue providing exceptional care."

We hired a third staff and physician wellness leader to provide psychological support to team members. As well, the Disconnecting from Work Policy encourages our people to take breaks, go on vacation, and find ways to recharge.

“We placed a great deal of focus on wellness and well-being over the past year,” says Marie Nunziata, Oak Valley Health’s Vice President, People and Chief Human Resources Officer. “Offering work-life balance and giving people the time and space they need away from work is an important part of what we value.”

Our Social Committee also organized events that contributed to well-being and engagement. These events empower our people, set them up for success, and ensure that everyone at Oak Valley Health feels valued. “People told us they wanted more time to connect,” says Marie. “We are organizing more activities and ways for people to come together.”

We also continued our important Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) work. In June 2023, we celebrated the return of our diversity fair, which was paused during the pandemic. The EDIB Council and leadership across the organization are taking steps to create an environment of inclusion, protect against hate or intolerance, and build a better sense of belonging. In 2024, for the second year in a row, we have been recognized as one of Forbes Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity.

In June 2023, we celebrated the return of our diversity fair.

#2 Develop new ways of working and delivering care

In addition to finding ways to optimize team-based care and reviewing new initiatives to ensure they can be supported and properly resourced, we improved efficiency by investing in a new human resources information system (HRIS). The new system provides accurate data and provides managers with timely information to make decisions.

“Implementing modern work tools, like our new HRIS, is a major and positive change for our organization,” says Marie. “The use of technology will play a major part for improving systems and processes that support work life for everyone at Oak Valley Health.”

#3 Create a strategic talent management system

An effective talent management system strengthens our ability to attract, retain, and develop our people. We have developed a recruitment campaign, focused on nursing, to ensure we are top-of-mind for nursing career opportunities. The campaign created Oak Valley Health brand awareness and recognition, drove open house participation, and pushed job seekers to the career pages on our website. We are also expanding opportunities to help students familiar with our organization choose to work and grow their careers at Oak Valley Health.

One new graduate working at Oak Valley Health is Angelous Ginanena, a registered nurse now working in Markham Stouffville Hospital’s intensive care unit. “I volunteered at this hospital several summers ago,” he says. “The environment is so welcoming and everyone is really kind. I couldn’t be happier with the experience I’ve had here as a new member of the team.”

We have also launched a new leadership development program to give our current and future leaders the tools and education they need to support and manage their teams.

With over 3,300 dedicated staff—including close to 700 new hires over the past year—more than 900 active volunteers and over 600 professional staff, supporting our people is among our highest priorities. Our people plan symbolizes the evolution of our workplace and choices we have made to prioritize the employee experience,” says Marie. “Rallying our efforts so our people feel supported, are equipped with the resources they need to do their jobs, and are feeling their very best, are at the heart of it all.

Enjoy this multimedia gallery showcasing our highlights from the past year. Scroll through and reflect on the moments that shaped our journey. From milestones to memories, this collection encapsulates the essence of our collective experiences.

Pride Month