For the fourth consecutive year, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2025, an honour that reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable, accessible and anti-racist workplace. This national recognition highlights organizations that lead the way in creating accessible, welcoming environments where employees from all backgrounds feel valued and empowered.

“At Holland Bloorview, we stand firm in our commitment to the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and anti-racism (IDEAA),” says Julia Hanigsberg, president and CEO, Holland Bloorview. “Embracing diversity makes us stronger, more innovative and better able to serve the children, youth, and families who rely on us. This recognition affirms the work of our teams in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.”

Here are some of the reasons why Holland Bloorview was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):

• Holland Bloorview supports the Ward Family Summer Student Research Program, offering undergraduate students the opportunity to experience unique interdisciplinary mentorship within the field of childhood disability research (includes a dedicated stream for an undergraduate student living with a disability, as well as a stream for students of Indigenous ancestry)
• Holland Bloorview recently refreshed its mental health strategy offering a wide range of supports from organization-level mental health promotion to individual-level intervention -- the strategy includes encouraging professional growth and development through educational supports, wellness resources such as yoga and a lunch-hour swim program for staff, and providing stress first-aid training across the organization
• Holland Bloorview monitors employee sentiments through a bi-annual employee engagement survey, which includes questions on perceptions of equity, diversity, and inclusion -- additionally, it seeks to better understand the demographics of job seekers through an applicant demographic survey, conducted as part of the application process to identify and remove barriers to entry and improve the representation of equity-deserving groups

Staff share their reflections on Holland Bloorview’s IDEAA commitment

Holland Bloorview’s commitment to IDEAA values is woven into the fabric of our organization. With dedicated employee resource groups (ERGs) supporting diverse communities, inclusive hiring practices and the development and implementation of equity, diversity and inclusion policies, Holland Bloorview continues to set a high standard for diversity and inclusion.

“Holland Bloorview is a place where diversity and inclusion is not just promoted but actively practiced, and where we work together to challenge ableism and foster a more accessible and equitable environment for all. The hospital excels in fostering an inclusive environment by hiring talented individuals with disabilities and creating a space where advocacy thrives. This commitment empowers employees with disabilities to drive positive change and break down barriers, while also ensures that diverse voices are heard, amplifying opportunities for all. - Holly Noon, communicative disorder assistant in our specialized orthopedic and developmental rehab (SODR) inpatient unit, and co-lead of the disability ERG.

"This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone, including LGBTQ2S+ staff, clients, and families, feels seen, heard, and celebrated. I’m proud to be part of a community that champions belonging and leads by example." - Rajpreet (Raj) Singh Sandhu, manager, environmental services and co-chair of the LGBTQ2S+ ERG.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the hospital’s unwavering commitment to empowering and uplifting diverse communities. This recognition speaks to the impact of our employee resource groups in fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment, where allyship and the celebration of our culture, heritage, and history are at the heart of building a stronger, more unified future.” - Adva Budin-Mercer, coordinator, client & family funding/strategy implementation lead, environmental sustainability, founder and co-lead of Jewish ERG.

“Winning Canada’s Best Diversity Employers award for the fourth consecutive year is an honour and a proud moment. This is a recognition of our collective efforts to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment that supports Black and diverse employees to thrive and make a difference through their skills”. - Dr. De-Lawrence Lamptey, scientist, assistant professor, Bloorview Research Institute, and co-lead for the Black ERG.

“Embracing diversity not only enhances the care we provide to our clients and community by making it more genuine and comprehensive, but it also fosters a sense of belonging amongst our employees. As a hiring manager, I take pride and confidence in knowing that we have cultivated a culture centered around diverse hiring practices, striving to reflect the diversity of our community.” - Anthony Danial, clinical operations manager, ambulatory care

IDEAA isn’t optional, it’s essential to who we are and what we do

While Holland Bloorview celebrates this milestone, the journey toward greater equity and inclusion continues. The hospital remains committed to deepening its IDEAA efforts, amplifying diverse voices, and setting high standards for a more diverse and inclusive workplace. IDEAA remains at the heart of who we are and what we do.

“This award is not just about what we’ve accomplished—it’s also about what comes next,” says Hanigsberg. “We will continue to listen, learn and evolve to ensure that Holland Bloorview remains a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.”

About Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

This competition recognizes successful diversity initiatives in a variety of areas, including programs for employees from five groups: (a) women; (b) members of visible minorities; (c) persons with disabilities; (d) Indigenous peoples; and (e) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) peoples. To determine this year's winners of the Canada's Best Diversity Employers competition, Mediacorp editors reviewed diversity and inclusiveness initiatives at many employers that took part in this year’s Canada's Top 100 Employers project.

This award follows Holland Bloorview’s recent recognition as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, for the 15th consecutive year and Canada’s top employers for young people for 13th consecutive year. 

If you are interested in joining the Holland Bloorview team, visit our careers webpage or follow us on LinkedIn.

Learn about Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in The Globe and Mail, and read up on why Holland Bloorview was selected.

Learn more about our IDEAA initiatives.