Propelled by voices of SickKids’ community, SickKids charts path to embed EDI principles across the organization

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has launched its 2022-2025 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy as part of its roadmap to create safe and brave spaces for meaningful change. Aligned with the SickKids 2025 Strategic Plan, the first organization-wide EDI Strategy provides a path to boldly embed EDI in all that SickKids does. Informed by the voices of our patients, families, staff and community partners, the EDI Strategy will build a foundation to advance equitable inclusion of diverse people and communities across SickKids’ care, research and education initiatives so that all can feel acknowledged, valued and respected. 

This plan is guided by five core principles:

• Promote health justice (intentionally dismantling systems of oppressions that deny equal access to quality and safe health-care systems)
• Adopt EDI and accessibility as a collective responsibility
• Champion human rights
• Illuminate and address personal, organizational and cultural barriers
• Model truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities

"SickKids’ EDI Strategy provides a thoughtful and measured path forward that acknowledges and addresses different experiences and lived realities of patients, families and staff. By modelling genuine equity, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do, we are sending a message of what’s possible to the youngest generation and taking steps to heal the wounds of older ones," says Tee Garnett, Executive Lead and Strategic Advisor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

The new plan outlines four strategic directions that will provide a framework for integrating and embedding EDI in all that we do:

• Embed EDI in organizational structures, systems and policies
• Achieve a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community
• Integrate EDI in care, research and education
• Create an inclusive child, youth and family experience

"SickKids is committed to building trust with the communities we serve who have been and will continue to be heard as we begin to co-create a more inclusive and equitable organization," says Ronald Cohn, President and CEO of SickKids. "Through this plan, SickKids is embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into the foundations of initiatives across the organization and as part of the compassionate care we provide patients and families every day."

SickKids is committed to an ongoing culture of feedback and engagement to understand patient, family and staff barriers to inclusion. Share your feedback on the plan at ask.edi@sickkids.ca and learn about other ways we support Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SickKids.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy provides a path to boldly embed EDI in all that SickKids does so all can feel acknowledged, valued and respected.

Learn more about our EDI strategy