Provincial awards recognize Osler initiatives that enhance people-centred care and team well-being

William Osler Health System’s (Osler) reputation as a health system leader and innovator received further validation at the recent Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Awards when two Osler teams were honoured for their work in improving the health system.

Osler’s Healthy Workplace team received the Improved Care Team Well-being Award, which recognizes programs that safeguard and promote the health, morale and well-being of the health care workforce. Our evidence-based Healthy Workplace Program (HWP) prioritizes staff wellness, engagement and retention through a variety of initiatives including Healthy Workplace Hubs that provide team members with psychologically safe spaces for rest, reflection and self-care, and the Wellness Express, a mobile cart that delivers healthy snacks, wellness tools and resources directly to care areas.

“At Osler, wellness isn’t just a program – it’s an integral part of our commitment to fostering a thriving, resilient workforce that can continue to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Kelly Kimens, Executive Vice President, People and Governance, William Osler Health System. “This outstanding achievement is a direct reflection of the unwavering dedication and innovation of our Healthy Workplace team and the collective efforts of our leaders, staff, physicians, volunteers, and learners who make well-being a shared priority – this ensures our people feel valued, supported and empowered to provide the best care possible.”

Osler’s Prevention of Error-based Transfers (PoET) team received the Improved Value and Sustainability Award, which recognizes initiatives that strengthen health system stability and efficiency, while supporting high-quality care. Partnering with the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, the team was behind a three-year PoET Southwest Spread Project (PSSP) involving 54 long-term care homes across Ontario. PoET seeks to reduce consent-related errors that lead to unnecessary transfers to acute care hospitals by aligning staff and physician practices with residents’ wishes, values and beliefs in keeping with Ontario’s Health Care Consent Act (HCCA).

“During those three years, we saw a remarkable reduction in resident transfers to acute care hospitals and a significant increase in links to palliative care,” said Dr. Jill Oliver, Community Ethicist and PoET Project Lead, William Osler Health System. “This project has the ability to transform the care that long-term care residents receive through improved decision-making, and to improve the way the whole system operates. We look forward to spreading its impact across Ontario.”

The award ceremony was hosted by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, in partnership with Ontario Health, the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ontario Medical Association.

“These initiatives are two shining examples of Osler’s tremendous capacity for leadership and innovation across every aspect of what we do,” said Dr. Frank Martino, President and CEO, William Osler Health System. “I couldn’t be prouder of these teams and the positive impact their work is having on our health care teams, long-term care residents, and on the sustainability of our health system.”