Niagara Health has once again been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, marking the fourth consecutive year the organization has earned the distinction. The award highlights a sustained commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for both patients and staff, a priority that has become increasingly central to healthcare organizations across the country. This recognition underscores the growing importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Canadian healthcare system and the positive impact they can have on patient care and employee well-being.
The designation, part of the broader Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, isn’t simply a symbolic honor. It reflects concrete steps taken by Niagara Health to address systemic barriers and create a workplace where everyone feels valued, and respected. According to Lydia Collins, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist at Niagara Health, the organization has been laying the groundwork for these changes over the past several years, focusing on education and cultural humility. “It’s exciting to watch the work around diversity, equity and inclusion expand at Niagara Health, and to be part of it,” Collins says. “Niagara Health has spent the last few years laying a lot of groundwork surrounding DEI, equipping team members with education around bias, privilege and power, and cultural humility.”
What Canada’s Best Diversity Employers Signifies
Canada’s Best Diversity Employers is an annual competition organized by Mediacorp that recognizes organizations with leading programs supporting diverse communities, including women, racialized and Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ employees. The ranking evaluates organizations based on forward-thinking policies, meaningful programs, and demonstrable progress in creating equitable workplaces. Kristina Leung, managing editor of Mediacorp, emphasized the business benefits of inclusive practices, noting that organizations that embrace diversity are better positioned to attract and retain talent from across Canada’s diverse population.
“Making a place at the table for everyone…is good for business because it lets employees bring their authentic selves to work,” Leung said. She added that inclusive thinking is crucial for navigating the challenges of a multigenerational workforce, requiring benefits and policies that cater to a wide range of needs, from young families to those providing eldercare.
A Focus on Health Equity
Niagara Health’s commitment extends beyond internal workplace practices to encompass health equity – the principle of ensuring everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Building on its existing DEI Action Plan, the organization is implementing a 2025–2028 Health Equity Plan, a structured, evidence-based approach to reducing disparities in care. This plan specifically prioritizes three populations: older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and Black communities. The initiative aims to improve coordinated care pathways, strengthen community partnerships, and make data-informed decisions to address health inequities.
Zainab Awad, Health Equity Manager and Niagara Health’s first DEI specialist, highlighted the long-term commitment behind this recognition. “Since launching our DEI action plan in 2021, we have advanced meaningful organizational change, strengthening governance, building internal capacity and moving forward on key initiatives,” Awad said. “Last year, we expanded this work through our Health Equity Plan, further integrating equity into clinical quality improvement and system planning. This recognition affirms that diversity and inclusion are not standalone initiatives, but foundational to delivering safe, high-quality care for the communities we serve.”
A Collaborative Effort
The success of these initiatives isn’t solely driven by leadership or dedicated DEI teams. Fiona Peacefull, Executive Vice-President of Human Resources at Niagara Health, emphasized that DEI is integrated into all aspects of the organization, from hiring practices to patient care. “Being recognized again as a Best Diversity Employer is meaningful because it reflects the commitment of our teams to diversity, equity and inclusion every day at Niagara Health,” Peacefull said. “DEI isn’t a standalone project for us. We integrate it into how we hire, how we support our people and how we care for our patients and families.”
Niagara Health team members are actively contributing to this cultural shift through participation in committees, grassroots initiatives, and ongoing learning opportunities. The organization’s dedication to DEI is not merely a matter of policy, but a reflection of a shared commitment among its staff to create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
Looking ahead, Niagara Health will continue to implement its Health Equity Plan, focusing on measurable outcomes and ongoing evaluation. The organization’s commitment to DEI is an evolving process, requiring continuous learning, adaptation, and a dedication to addressing systemic inequities. The next update on the Health Equity Plan’s progress is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2026, providing a detailed assessment of the initiatives’ impact on the prioritized populations.
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