Norfolk General Hospital honoured with 2024 IDEA Award for championing Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility through Project SEARCH

Photo (left to right): Catherine Korecki Akins, President of the Simcoe Chamber of Commerce; Kerri Emberlin, Director of Volunteer & Spiritual Care Services at NGH; Sarah-Jane Irvine, Chief Human Resources Officer at NGH; Rebekah, Project SEARCH intern; Larkin, Project SEARCH intern and Food and Nutrition professional at NGH; Jill Binkley, Board Member of NACL; and Stella Barker, Executive Director of NACL.

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Simcoe, ON – Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) is proud to announce that it has received the prestigious 2024 Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Award from the Norfolk Association for Community Living. This award celebrates NGH’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, particularly through the impactful Project SEARCH initiative, which empowers local youth with intellectual disabilities by equipping them with essential workplace skills and experiences.

Presented at the Simcoe Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards gala on Thursday, November 7, the IDEA Award recognizes NGH as a model of inclusive employment. The award acknowledges NGH’s efforts and leadership to create equal opportunities and support youth with disabilities as they build meaningful careers.

Launched in partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board and the Norfolk Association for Community Living, Project SEARCH is a globally recognized program designed to help high school students with intellectual disabilities gain essential workplace skills. This program—the first of its kind in Norfolk County—combines classroom instruction with practical internships across various departments at NGH and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home. Through hands-on training and individualized mentorship, Project SEARCH provides interns with a strong foundation for workforce success.

“We are truly honoured to receive this recognition for our ongoing journey in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) across Norfolk General Hospital and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home,” said Todd Stepanuik, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This award reflects the dedication and hard work of our leaders, staff, physicians, and volunteers who are advancing this essential mission. Through Project SEARCH, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace where our interns are valued as equal team members. We are honoured to have received this acknowledgment from the Norfolk Association for Community Living and the Simcoe Chamber and excited to keep building a more inclusive future together.”

NGH’s commitment to IDEA principles extends beyond Project SEARCH and touches all areas of the organization. Through comprehensive programming and initiatives, NGH and the NHNH continue to build an environment where staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, and visitors feel welcomed and valued. From IDEA-focused education and training to the development of inclusive policies, NGH has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and anti-racism.

We are committed to the principle that every person is entitled to work and/or receive care in a respectful, positive environment, free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and exclusion.

Moreover, NGH’s dedication to IDEA principles is evident in its recruitment efforts, which aim to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. As NGH continues to evolve and grow, its unwavering commitment to inclusion and diversity remains a cornerstone of its mission to relieve illness and suffering, and to help people live healthier lives.

About the IDEA Award

The IDEA Award is presented to employers who lead in inclusivity, providing equal opportunities and serving as role models for other organizations to adopt inclusive practices. NGH is honoured to be recognized for its commitment to creating an environment that empowers individuals with disabilities and promotes diversity, equity, and accessibility throughout the organization.

Watch Norfolk General Hospital’s award acceptance video from the Simcoe Chamber of Commerce.

Media Contact:

Aaron Gautreau (he/him)
Director of Communications & Public Relations
Norfolk General Hospital
W: 519-426-0130 ext. 2454 | C: 226-931-5752