Excellence in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Award

Please note that this awards’s eligibility criteria have been updated for the 2024 campaign.

The awards nomination campaign will launch on October 1, at which time the online nomination form and the nomination template will become available.

The Award

This award will honour a forward-thinking healthcare organization that has demonstrated leadership in creating and promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility to improve the environment for its employees, and to better service their customers/patients, and the community.

The recipient will receive an etched glass trophy. Should the future permit us to return to an in-person event, one representative of the winning organization will also receive paid travel and accommodation to attend the College’s Honouring Health Leadership event, and a complimentary registration to the CCHL National Conference.

Eligibility

The award is open to all healthcare organizations operating in Canada, who have demonstrated effective leadership, skill, innovation, and perseverance in the areas of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are eligible to be nominated. While special acts or other one-time achievements will be considered, this award will place special emphasis on effective and sustained efforts worthy of recognition. This justification will serve as the principal basis for selection of the award recipient.

Nominations

Nominations must be made by a member of the College and be submitted by February 1.

Nominations must be submitted as one PDF file via the team and organization award online form and include the following:

  • The completed nomination form (to be completed online);
  • A letter of nomination from a member of the College;
  • Using the template, describe the initiatives undertaken by the nominated organization that demonstrated leadership in creating and promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility across various populations to improve the environment for its employees and volunteers, and to better service their customers/patients and the community.
  • Three letters of support from: (1) a member of the nominated organization’s board of directors; (2) a member of the organization’s senior leadership team; and (3) from a patient or employee who has been positively impacted by the inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility initiatives undertaken by the nominated organization.

Sponsored by:

2023 Recipient: Good Samaritan Society

The Good Samaritan Society and Good Samaritan Canada (Good Samaritan) are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism at all levels throughout the organization, as well as in the delivery of our services. They believe that equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism involve creating an organizational culture that wholeheartedly welcomes and fosters the individuality of others and presents all people within the communities that they serve.  

They believe that dignity, rights, responsibilities, treatment and opportunities as an individual are not dependent on who you are. Diversity is the inclusion of all the ways people are different; age, gender and gender identity, neurodiversity, physical and non-physical ability, race and ethnicity, relation, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and more.

Creating a safe and nurturing environment where differences are embraced and respected is essential to exploring diverse perspectives. By fostering a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, we acknowledge and value the differences of all people. Everyone has the right to be treated fairly and justly, and we can all learn and grow by understanding our differences. Building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization requires collective effort and collaboration. 

Past Recipients

Please see our most recent recipients listed below. Full details are available in our Celebrating Leading Practices booklets.

2023 – Good Samaritan Society

2022 – Alberta Health Services

2021 – Scarborough Health Network

2020 – Alliance for Healthier Communities

2019 – Alberta Health Services

2018 – Michael Garron Hospital/Toronto East Health Network

2017 – William Osler Health System

2016 – Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority)

2015 – The Scarborough Hospital

2014 – Toronto Central CCAC (Community Care Access Centre)

Excellence in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Award Selection Committee

List of Awards

For almost two decades, the National Awards Program has been showcasing the success of exemplary individuals and teams, encouraging knowledge exchange, and celebrating excellence while stimulating replication of leading practices across the health industry.