The successes shown in this year’s annual report highlight the values IWK Health aspires to and the critical role of people across the organization in delivering those results—whether it be new ways of onboarding and training staff as seen in the new ED program, supporting specific patient populations in schools, or in working with our community to improve inclusivity and care as with the introduction of the smudging policy. Each effort was proposed, created and implemented by the dedicated and passionate people of IWK Health.

In short, our success is, and always has been, powered by people. They are our strength, our reason and indeed, our heartbeat.

People are our Strength

When health care is discussed, sometimes it’s not evident just how vast the array of people, in addition to our front-line providers, are needed to achieve success. People who are not so visible at the intersection of care delivery but play critical roles. One example of those hidden heroes, and it’s not a small one, that illustrates the impact of many people working together was the response to the major flood that occurred last summer on Level Zero of the Children’s Building and the Link. It is likely that many people are not even aware that the flood occurred, because in usual IWK-fashion, people from all departments leaned-in, problem-solved and got things done so care could be delivered. The day of the flood the only impacts to clinical service delivery were that two surgeries were delayed. No other appointments were cancelled, or services interrupted, an amazing result!

There are numerous other examples such as those shown in the video: some about responding to unplanned events like the wildfires, some about approaches to improving regular care and many about contributions to the transformation of the wider health care system. Whether it is optimizing existing services, adopting new innovations, building new infrastructure or simply lending a hand, it is all powered by the strength of people.

People are our Reason

When asked about why people work at IWK Health or why they’re applying for a position here, a common answer is that they want to make a difference. Even when facing challenges, making sure patients get the best care is in the forefront of the minds of staff. This year we had the opportunity to have our onsite visit and evaluation by Accreditation Canada who look at quality and safety for patients, families, and staff. We were thrilled to retain Accreditation with Exemplary Standing, giving nod to the focus on our core purpose and once again acknowledging the dedication of our teams. As part of working to make things better, recommendations from the survey are being used in our continuous improvement journey.

We also hear of the many ideas, big and small that come from our staff looking to improve how our services can be delivered. The underlying factor that connects these diverse projects is that they all start with the identification of a problem and the quest to find a solution. The dedication to making things better is shared within the broader Maritime community and beyond. This year, although being delayed until the fall because of the wildfires, donors working through our amazing Foundation stepped up to the plate at Telethon to support making IWK Health the very best it can be. People uniting together to be the reason we do what we do every day!

People are our Heartbeat

While celebrating success, it is also important to acknowledge the toll taken on individuals and teams. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to provide care day- to-day, meet the ongoing challenges and at the same time work to transform the system. In many ways the calls on our people are akin to using a flashlight to show the way in the dark. The light is essential. If we leave the flashlight on for prolonged times, forget to turn it off when other lights are available or ignore it when the beam starts to wane, we can be left in the dark. So, we monitor how long the flashlight is in use, turn it off when there are other alternatives and when it starts to wane, we re-charge it.

Paying heed in the same way to the care and support of our people is important as people are our heartbeat. This year we embarked on initiatives to address the health and well-being of the people of IWK Health and have made some steps along that pathway for both patients and families and for staff. Formal programs have been rolled out to help provide support for developing the skills needed to enhance the focus on wellness. The re-launch of an organization-wide recognition program, our awards programming, the return of in-person holiday celebrations and Fun Krew events have focused on returning the sense of joy to work.

We must also ensure that we build and sustain a culture of belonging. Implementing a smudging policy, creating an Afrocentric reading list in our Read-to-Me program, and introducing indigenous and African Nova Scotian patient navigators are steps along the way. Changes to our physical spaces to support accessibility and looking at all new renovations through this lens will support our work for all. A refreshed focus on respectful workplace and inclusive hiring underlines our commitment to moving forward on this journey. While there is more to be done, we have made a good start.

In closing we will leave you with the words of a man who lived a lifetime on a committed journey, Nelson Mandela who said, "We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference."