Diversity and Inclusion at Kensington Health

This summer, while we were fighting to keep COVID-19 at bay, we were starkly reminded of an ever-present fight our colleagues of colour, specifically our Black and Indigenous colleagues, face every day.

Enhancing COVID-19 Screening

Screening plays a big part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Kensington Health has had a team of screeners working in the lobby of the building at 340 College Street since April. Hundreds of people come through Kensington’s doors on a daily basis, so screening is no easy feat. When RKS Medical approached us to pilot an automated screening machine, we said yes.

Thank you to our Hike supporters

Kensington Hike: 10 years, nearly 1000 residents

Since then, nearly 1400 people have hiked over the last ten years, and the Hike has become a chance to both raise funds for the Hospice and raise awareness for end-of-life care. It’s also an important chance for the families of the more than 1000 people who have died at the hospice to reconnect.

Hospice jumps in to support during pandemic

Across the Kensington campus, our colleagues in the Hospice remind us that we are here to serve and to help people live their stories.

Thank you, Donna, for more than 15 years of service

Donna Punch, VP of Ambulatory Services, retired after a rewarding nursing career that spans over 49 years.

Start From Gratitude

Gratitude doesn’t seem to come as easily as griping does, but research shows that people who regularly take time to notice things they are grateful for enjoy better relationships, show greater resolve toward achieving goals and are more compassionate. It’s easy to spread and good to build.

Interview: Why Pride matters

Celebrating Pride is an important way that we stand with our LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and it reminds us of the continuous work we need to do to create inclusive spaces. We sat down with Wayne Peterson, Board Member of the Kensington Health Foundation, to discuss why Pride matters to him.

Out and proud at Kensington Health

At Kensington Health, Pride is a chance to celebrate our LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and to acknowledge the need for accepting and safe care, especially in our long-term care home.

Shirley's passion for nursing

After a long nursing career that spans more than 51 years, Shirley Gardner, a Registered Nurse, retired from the Kensington Eye Institute in June.

A Cornerstone of Diversity

The clarion call that’s been sounded in the wake of George Floyd’s death has been a rally for the world to listen to Black voices first and foremost. But listening must be more than just a spectator sport, but an active commitment to hearing, learning and acting without placing the onus on marginalized groups to educate non-marginalized people on history or their experiences.

Don't neglect your eye health

The fear of catching COVID-19 is still very real, and some patients are understandably hesitant to return to a medical clinic for care.

Standing with Kensington's Black staff members

Kensington was founded on diversity. It is not just a value we try to live, but it is at the core of who we are as an organization. In 1954, The Doctors Hospital, now Kensington, was founded with a commitment to serve the diverse community and cultures of the Kensington area.

Day in the life at the Infusion clinic

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Cherylann, and many others living with an autoimmune disease, felt scared and anxious about their health.

Beauty in Anxious Times

One of our donors, Dana Kuszelewski, a Gardens family member who has become more and more engaged with the Kensington community since the pandemic began, decided that in addition to the tins of biscuits, coffee runs and other goodies she’d brought for frontline staff – not to mention her support to the 2020 Response Fund – she needed to up the Garden’s brightness. So she called her local florist, Ivana Grahovac of Alana’s Flowers on The West Mall, to see what they could do and Ivana immediately offered Dana orchids at a very discounted price because she knew they’d last that much longer and offer much more enjoyment to staff and residents.

Happy Retirement Greta

This month, we said goodbye to Greta Busby, who has been working as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) in the south building of Kensington Gardens for the past 18 years.

Celebrating Nurses

Nurses are the heroes we count on when we’re sick. They help when we are at our most vulnerable. They give us expert guidance and put us at ease in difficult times, and they always lead with compassion and a smile.

Long-term Care nurses giving more now then ever

Our care teams are on the front line every day, supporting each other, our residents, and their families. For many of them, this is more than just a job. They do this because they take pride in helping our community and in being there for our residents.

Thank you for giving

It started with a Friend of Kensington, a longtime donor and supporter. She saw the need on Kensington’s front line and wanted to help. So she put forward a community challenge, offering to match all donations up to $50,000. We put out the call to the Kensington community who raised over $102,000! To all of you, who responded in so many ways wanting to do something in support of our heroic frontline workers: THANK YOU!

Meet Chanel, the health care panda lifting spirits

At Kensington, Chanel is a conversation-starter, giving Diann’s teammates a moment of levity during the tough battle on the frontline with COVID-19.