This year, we are celebrating Black staff and physicians at The Ottawa Hospital who have made history in their fields, breaking down barriers and laying the groundwork for others to follow. Meet some of these inspirational trailblazers, and learn about their remarkable achievements.

Iuliana Popescu came to Canada from Romania in 2002, and began working in the Human Resources Department at The Ottawa Hospital five years later. No matter where her travels took her, she always felt a sense of belonging here. The Ottawa Hospital was recently recognized for helping new Canadians like Iuliana find meaningful employment.

It moves some to tears. Others are shocked, yet hopeful. Anger, guilt and shame can also come with the heightened awareness hospital staff members have after taking part in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, which retells 500 years of Canada’s history through the perspective of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Ayse Ibrahim was forced to leave everything behind when she left Syria. Five years later, she is starting a new life here, working in Housekeeping Services, thanks to the hospital’s partnership with Hire Immigrants Ottawa.

Every morning, I see Jean-Guy in the front lobby at the General Campus. He always greets staff, patients, and visitors with a kind smile and a warm hello. Jean-Guy is a Transportation Worker at the General Campus. He is exactly the kind of person I would want to greet my loved ones if they were […]