Quinte Health

During Pride Month, Quinte Health's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee welcomed registered nurse, educator and PhD candidate Ashley Jackson for a presentation that was both personal and highly practical. Her central message: gender affirming care is not optional or niche. It is essential care, and in many cases, it is lifesaving.

Ashley does not identify as trans or gender diverse herself. Instead, her knowledge comes from relationships with individuals who have trusted her with their lived experiences. Those stories have revealed ongoing and often invisible gaps within healthcare systems.

Her motivation for this work comes from a moment that challenged her as a nurse. A friend shared that they were buying gender affirming hormones online because they could not find a clinician willing or able to prescribe them. Ashley’s first reaction was fear. Her training emphasized medication safety and sterility, so ordering medications online felt dangerous. But as she listened more carefully, she realized that without access to hormones, her friend did not feel they could continue living.

Ashley came to understand that gender affirming care is not simply supportive care. It can be lifesaving.

During her presentation, Ashley helped Quinte health team members recognize patterns in healthcare that can unintentionally cause harm. She asked the audience to think about a typical patient journey through the hospital. A single visit might involve registration clerks, triage nurses, physicians, lab staff, volunteers, and many others. Each interaction matters. Every person contributes to the patient’s experience and their feelings of safety.

Pronouns matter, but they are only the starting point.

Ashley closed with a powerful reminder that education alone is not enough. Meaningful change starts with listening, reflecting and putting knowledge into action every day.

Read the full story: https://quintehealth.ca/news-story/it-starts-with-pronouns-but-doesnt-end-there/

At Quinte Health, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to recognize and reflect on the deep histories, cultures, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. It is also a reminder that the way we provide care is shaped by how we listen, learn and grow together.

We are grateful for our Indigenous colleagues, partners, visitors and patients across Quinte Health who walk alongside us, bringing lived experience, leadership, and teachings that help shape a more respectful and safe care experience for everyone.

The innovative design of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, developed by HDR in collaboration with Quinte Health and project partners, has been recognized with a 2026 Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award in the General Excellence category.

The international recognition shines a spotlight on the vision, collaboration, and innovation that have made the new PECMH project a model for healthcare infrastructure across North America.

“This award belongs to the many people who believed in the future of healthcare in Prince Edward County and worked tirelessly to make it happen,” said Stacey Daub, President and CEO. “The new PECMH is the result of years of partnership, advocacy, generosity and determination. It reflects the ingenuity and collaborative spirit of smaller communities, our design partner, and our relentless commitment to delivering community-centered care for generations to come.”

Read more: https://quintehealth.ca/news-story/new-pecmh-recognized-with-international-design-award/



Photo: Artistic rendering provided by HDR. Details subject to change.