Transforming healthcare in B.C. through inclusive leadership – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

How can meaningful change be enacted within B.C.’s healthcare system and beyond? What are the strategies, tools and skills that foster truly inclusive environments?

A recent symposium led by Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) brought together almost 200 healthcare leaders virtually to explore those crucial questions and more while empowering participants with the knowledge and best practices needed to drive transformation. 

As SFU Continuing Studies prepares to launch the Equity in Healthcare certificate program in partnership with PHSA this September, which will provide training in culturally inclusive care that leads to better patient outcomes and provider experiences, the symposium offered a powerful opportunity to build connections across sectors. It also marked the launch of SFU’s Inclusive Leadership Collaborative, an initiative hosted by the Office of the Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion aimed at creating opportunities for knowledge sharing across sectors to support equity, diversity and inclusion. 

The morning began with a welcoming from Elder Yvonne Rigsby Jones, Snuneymuxw First Nation, who shared reflections from her cultural and lived experiences as well as her professional career leading the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Treatment Centre. 

Encouraging participants to embrace creativity when solving problems, Elder Yvonne noted that, “I truly believe that it’s possible to change the status quo and do things in a different way. Think outside the box. And stand beside each other while you’re doing it and say, ‘the old way didn’t work.’”

Following Elder Yvonne’s remarks, SFU President Joy Johnson welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of meaningful partnerships between the higher education and healthcare sectors in order to deliver equitable, patient-centred care throughout the province. She urged listeners to begin from a place of personal inquiry and draw from their own lived experiences when answering questions about what inclusive leadership truly means for their work.

“The answers to these questions will shape the future of healthcare in British Columbia and beyond. In a time of global uncertainty, social reckoning and growing disparities, this work is not just timely — it is essential,” President Johnson said.

Throughout the course of the day, attendees heard from PHSA and SFU leaders who reflected on learnings from their own careers and experiences as well as the strategies and qualities necessary for enacting truly inclusive leadership. Panelists included: 

• Dr. Lyana Patrick – Assistant Professor and Faculty Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Health Sciences (SFU)

In addition to panels, interactive sessions facilitated by SFU leaders in Lifelong Learning, the Centre for Dialogue and the Office of the Vice President, People, Equity and Inclusion allowed attendees to connect with each other and share best practices for building inclusive environments in a sustainable manner while staying grounded and taking care of themselves mentally, physically and emotionally. 

Below are a handful of the reflections shared by symposium participants during various activities throughout the day: 

“The process is a messy but we have to keep going and stay hopeful. We are travelling together and there will be challenging situations through the journey and we need to be flexible. Together, we can make it.” 
 
“Accountable conversations are so important. And always anchoring to the “why” we are doing something and the benefits – not a check box or something “mandatory” but something to do together, collectively…a gift of learning!”

“I love that this event brings people together across different potential ‘silos’ so we are truly a learning collaborative.”

“It was a deep reflection day, as I learned from all the panelists and personal experiences as whole-human-leaders in this work. Thank you.”

Interested in learning more about advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in healthcare? Find out more about the new SFU Continuing Studies Equity in Healthcare certificate program, which will equip clinicians, leaders and administrators with the tools and skills to transform health outcomes in British Columbia and beyond.