Pride Month 2024 Message from Elizabeth Buller and Keith Metcalfe
Jun 3, 2024Message from Elizabeth Buller, President & CEO and Keith Metcalfe, Director of Mission and Spiritual Care Community of Practice, St. Joseph’s Health System
Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress, reflect on gaps that persist, and take action to advance health equity by co-creating the path forward.
Creating safe, welcoming spaces and demonstrating support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities are expressions of St. Joe’s values — Dignity, Respect, Justice, Enquiry, Responsibility and Service. As healthcare workers embedded in mission-based organizations, we are committed to caring for the whole person.
Advancing health equity is a key enabler of the St. Joseph’s Health System Strategic Plan, Care Redefined. Teams Reimagined. Our healthcare worker teams are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care, advocating for health equity, and respecting the dignity of all persons. It is essential that everyone feels safe and welcome when receiving care and when entering the workplace. Together we can support one another along our own equity, diversity and inclusion journey.
By taking time and space to learn about how to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities, participating in a Pride event, or taking steps to create an inclusive workplace, we are advancing our mission and living the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Their legacy continues to guide all healthcare worker teams connected to St. Joseph’s Health System as we provide care, conduct research and learn together.
There’s a variety of Pride Month activities happening throughout the month of June across all St. Joseph’s Health System member sites in multiple locations. We encourage you to participate and learn more, for example:
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
- Read more about Pride using St. Joe’s Hamilton Library 2SLGBTQI+ Book List
- Celebrate the new Pride rainbow crosswalks, signaling allyship to 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and raise the Pride Flag
- Monday, June 3 at 12:15 p.m. | King Campus
- Wednesday, June 5 at 12:15 p.m.| West 5th Campus
- Friday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. | Charlton Campus
St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph
- Attend the Pride Flag raising ceremony at Westmount site on June 3 at 11:30 a.m.
- Read more about supporting our communities in cultivating supportive, inclusive environments through SJHCG’s Centre for Resilience, Learning and Growth curated list of resources.
St. Joseph’s Home Care
- Attend the Pride Flag raising ceremony on June 5 at 11:00 a.m.
- Look for weekly newsletters from May 29 to June 27 with 2SLGBTQI+ information, history and local events.
St. Joseph’s Lifecare Brantford
- Attend the Pride Flag raising ceremony on Lifecare Brantford’s Campus of Care on June 4 at 11:00 a.m.
- Check out Brantford’s Pride in the Park events on June 15.
St. Joseph’s Villa Dundas
- Attend the Pride Flag raising ceremony on June 5 at 11:00 a.m.
- Check out the new Everyone is Welcome Here signage displayed in all buildings on the Campus of Care.
St. Mary’s General Hospital
- Attend parade events, including the SMGH onsite Pride Parade (June 26).
- Learn more about how to be an ally, including the history of pride, using proper pronouns and how to build welcoming, inclusive spaces of care.
Thank-you for all you do for our patients, residents, clients and one another.
Wishing you a safe and happy Pride Month.
Liz Buller & Keith Metcalfe