Supporting Primary Care Providers
Strategic Priorities
Our family physicians, family practice teams, interdisciplinary healthcare providers and staff are the heart of our work. This year, we’ve invested in our teams, expanded our Green Initiative, launched two new staff training programs in line with our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and profiled the People of Primary Care – the individuals behind the care our community receives every day.
Investing in our teams
High employee promoter score
compared to industry average for healthcare
Wage and benefits modernization
through fiscal responsibility and record investments from the Province of Ontario
Embedding research & teaching
into social medicine program in collaboration with McMaster University
Empowered people and thriving culture
with an emphasis on wellness, inclusion, development, and recognition
Environmental factors are recognized social determinants of health, and family health teams are uniquely positioned to model sustainable practice. The Green Initiative provides education, research, and opportunities for engagement so that we can support our providers in offering greener care and help protect the health of our planet.
In partnership with
Planetary Health in Primary Care: Planetary Health Conference (May 21, 2025)
The Green Initiative, in collaboration with PEACH Health and the Canadian Coalition for Green Healthcare, hosted the first Planetary Health Conference in Ontario. An opportunity for healthcare professionals, researchers, and experts to exchange knowledge, inspire action and explore innovative solutions for advancing sustainability in primary care. Topics included: Environmental Racism, Plant-Rich Eating, Social Prescribing & Food Prescriptions in Hamilton, and End of Life Care.
91
Attendees
14
Speakers
3
Sponsorship tables
Conference sponsors:
4 Peer-reviewed Publications
Mentorship Program: Green Initiative Leadership in Sustainability (GIGLS)
A structured mentorship program for primary care providers, GIGLS supports the implementation of green initiatives within family practices. Practice teams or family physicians first complete the Green Office Challenge. They’re then connected with a mentor who identifies green initiatives that would make sense for that practice, helps set goals and timelines for the year, and provides support as they progress.
Positive Spaces are inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ staff, patients, and community members. Creating these spaces is essential to support staff well-being, foster equity, and deliver high-quality care to 2SLGBTQIA+ patients.
This past year, we launched a 90-minute foundational training for all staff at the Hamilton Family Health Team. This training was developed in collaboration with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences, and is led by two staff facilitators with lived expertise.
5
staff training sessions
60%
of all staff completed training
Phase 2
to train additional staff begins in the 2026-27 year
As part of our ongoing journey toward truth and reconciliation, and our commitment to promote cultural competence and safety, this year we launched the KAIROS blanket exercise for staff, facilitated in-person by Santele’s Healing Circles.
This three-hour workshop provides an interactive and experiential way to learn about the history and relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island, including their relationship with the land, air, and water. It builds relationships, community, and empathy through a shared experience.
3
staff training sessions
18%
of all staff completed training
Phase 2
to train additional staff begins in the 2026-27 year