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SickKids

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Where everyone is acknowledged, valued and respected.

SickKids acknowledges that structural racism, discrimination, gender bias, and institutional oppression exist within our society, and can negatively impact health outcomes and equity. We continue our journey to advance equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and accessibility every day at all levels of SickKids through concrete steps for change, guided by the SickKids Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Land acknowledgement

SickKids operates on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit River. We are committed to working toward new relationships that include First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and are grateful for the opportunity to share this land in caring for children and their families. 


Creating an environment where equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility is championed and valued across our care, research and education initiatives is key to achieving our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World. We are committed to being a safe space for all patients and families, employees, learners and volunteers, where individuality is celebrated, where diversity is embraced and where everyone can feel acknowledged, valued and respected.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion logo showing five figures intertwined. The figures are black, grey, yellow, green and red and together form a circle.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy provides a path to boldly embed EDI in all that SickKids does so all can feel acknowledged, valued and respected.

Learn more about the EDI strategy

An inclusive SickKids for all

From patient care and services to research design to systemic policies, procedures and projects, we want everyone who comes to SickKids to feel celebrated for their unique self – in every clinic, every office, every day.

Our Care Philosophy

Learn about our patient and family-centred care model.

An illustration of a tree

Health Equity: Your Health Matters

We ask questions to understand the unique you to improve the quality of care.

Language Interpretation Services

On-site interpreter services for patients and families with limited English proficiency.

Boy plays with a toy train.

Accessibility & Accommodation Supports

Discover accessibility accommodations available to you.

Indigenous Health

We're committed to collaborating with partners on culturally appropriate services for Indigenous children and families.

Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning exterior

Research Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Learn about our initiatives and interventions towards creating a diverse research environment.

Bring your whole self to work

We are committed to supporting and empowering SickKids employees in achieving their full potential. By working to understand and address systemic barriers and inequities to build a more inclusive workforce and workplace, we are applying an EDI lens to our policies and practices and taking concrete steps to create a more inclusive, diverse, accessible and culturally safe work environment.

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Workplace Inclusion

Learn how we’re advancing a workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to grow, develop and succeed, at all levels.

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Self-Identification for Prospective Employees

We invite applicants to participate in the Self-Identification survey to help us design data-driven measures to make recruitment equitable and inclusive.

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Inclusive Recruitment

Through inclusive recruitment practices, we are valuing identity by creating recruitment experiences to ensure inclusivity is at the core of hiring for all applicants.

Actions we’ve taken to advance a more inclusive SickKids

SickKids seeks to remedy conditions that have led to disadvantages in employment or opportunities for historically marginalized and underrepresented equity priority groups and Indigenous communities. Here are the some of the ways we’re advancing EDI at SickKids:

  • Launched the SickKids EDI Strategy to promote organizational accountability alongside a monthly town hall series (Tea with Tee) that explores EDI priorities and topics through open dialogue 
  • Launched an Anti-Racism in the Workplace Policy, and added discrimination and race into the staff Safety Reporting System 
  • Supported an EDI Champions Program to provide training and support change agents who are grounded in principles of EDI from an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework 
  • Established Inclusion Networks situated around identity and community groups to support Safe(r) Spaces for employees and that report to the organizational EDI Steering Committee
  • Hired an Indigenous Health Program Manager and Indigenous Patient & Family Experience Specialist to support culturally safe care for Indigenous patients and families, aligned with the Indigenous Health Strategy 
  • Supported the development of a Black Family Advocacy Network in the Complex Care Program
  • Launched inclusive recruitment resources and best practices for hiring managers to ensure inclusivity is at the core of recruitment and hiring processes
  • Completed equity coaching for senior leadership
  • Signed the BlackNorth Initiative pledge with a commitment to address anti-Black racism and improve representation in leadership positions
  • Launched preferred name field in electronic health record to support patient preference through the Preferred Name Initiative and will be expanding to include pronouns and gender identity 
  • Created a framework to support recognition of various Days of Significance

EDI news & stories

Dr. Jennifer Quon smiling and posing for a photo inside the Patient Support Centre.

March 8, 2024

International Women's Day: Dr. Jennifer Quon, SickKids' first female paediatric neurosurgeon

In her own words, Dr. Quon reflects on experiences, challenges and supports that helped shape her career.

Indigenous and Black Nursing Student Awards

February 27, 2024

Student awards aim to support greater equity, diversity and inclusion in nursing; meet the 2023/24 recipients

Through the 2023/24 Award for Indigenous Nursing Students and the Award for Black Nursing Students, SickKids welcomed four award recipients to the hospital for clinical placement.

Taylor and Nicole Johnston wearing a wedding dress and suit hold hands at their outdoor wedding ceremony with officiant Sherry Murphy standing in the middle of them.

June 22, 2023

“In some capacity, we always planned to be together forever”: SickKids couple looks back on their love story

In celebration of Pride Month, Respiratory Therapists Nicole and Taylor Johnston reflect on their relationship which started at SickKids, including their experience being married by a SickKids colleague.

Who we are

EDI Office

Headshot of Indra Narang

Indra Narang

Executive Lead, Strategic Advisor; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office

Bahar Tajrobehkar

Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Headshot of Ashna Jassi

Ashna Jassi

Senior EDI Data Specialist; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office

Headshot of Tamara Greaves

Tamara Greaves

Program Manager; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office

Morgan Gitt

Executive Assistant to Executive Lead, Strategic Advisor; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office

Olivia Franks

Indigenous Health Program Manager

Emma Hedderson

Indigenous Health Administrative Coordinator

EDI Steering Committee

The EDI Steering Committee provides a platform for discussing upcoming and ongoing EDI-focused initiatives, ensuring relevance, impact and alignment to the organization’s strategic directions. The Committee, which reports to senior leadership, provides input and direction on SickKids structures, systems, polices and initiatives using anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. Membership includes representation from across SickKids care, research and education groups to promote and embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Inclusion Networks

SickKids has employee resource groups, also known as Inclusion Networks, which are situated around identity and community, and provide an opportunity for employees to network and create affirming, safer spaces by sharing lived experiences and ideas for change. The Networks are run by staff volunteers and host regular Safer Space(s) sessions where staff can gather for discussion and reflection.

  • 2SLGBTQIA+
  • Accessibility, Access and Inclusion
  • Anti-Black Racism
  • Women in Science
  • Anti-Xenophobia
  • Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group (coming soon!)

Engage with us

We are committed to an ongoing culture of feedback and engagement to understand patient, family and staff barriers to inclusion.

Contact the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office at SickKids

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