Connecting Experiences: Archipel’s 2024 All Partners Assembly Highlights Equity and Inclusion
On October 7th, Archipel hosted its 2024 All Partner Assembly, bringing together 70 participants from Ottawa East and Prescott-Russell. The event was an important step in advancing the conversation on creating a more inclusive and equitable health system. Under the theme "Connecting Experiences: From Stories to Impact," the gathering fostered dynamic discussions, inspiring testimonials, and thoughtful perspectives on collaboration, which reinforced Archipel’s commitment to our shared goal.
Key moments included the touching testimony of Julie M, Client Partner and volunteer, who has been a member of the Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Working Group for four years. Her heartfelt story highlighted the importance of creating a safe space for individuals impacted by MHA challenges. Julie’s experiences powerfully reflected Archipel’s commitment to prioritizing the voices of those directly impacted in every decision-making process.
“My views in this group have been accepted as valid and restored my need to be an advocate. Prior to this accident, I was a motivational speaker, a mental health and physical health educator, a mental health system navigator and a die-hard advocate. Had it not been for those skills that I had acquired previously to this accident there’s no way I could have navigated through what I'm going through on my own (...) I thought I had lost that part of me after the accident – (that) I wouldn't be able to participate and make a difference again. Being part of this group has shown me I can be a difference maker, just (in) a different capacity. (...) Being a patient-partner has allowed me to restore the hope for continued community engagement. Collaborating as a patient-partner has broken my vicious cycle of isolation as well.”
- Julie M,
Volunteer and member of the MHA Working Group.
The leadership and dedication of Diane Hupé, Client Partner, Volunteer and exiting co-chair of the Patient, Client and Family Advisory Committee (PCFAC), were also honored. Her efforts over the past four years have contributed significantly to advancing the objectives of co-design with system users. Fellow PCFAC co-chair Pierre Benoit paid tribute to Diane's work in laying a solid foundation for the committee, while emphasizing the importance of recruiting more people from diverse communities and backgrounds.
“Whether we speak of transformation, collaboration, navigation or co-design, the fact is that the new shape of our healthcare system is based on inter-cooperation, the recognition that each sector of the network has an essential role to play in ensuring that the customer/patient is well served. Needs are varied and complex, and so are the stakeholders in our system. The meeting was intended to be an opportunity for sharing and listening, and for key players to make themselves known for their knowledge, skills and lived experience. In this way, the 2024 Assembly of Archipel partners achieved its objectives.”
- Pierre Benoit,
Client partner PCFAC co-chair.
Thanks to the contributions of its sponsors, Institut Savoir Montfort, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital and the Telfer School of Management of the University of Ottawa, Archipel was able to offer a warm and engaging gathering. Another highlight of the event was the keynote presentation by Natalie Duchesne, titled "Leading with Equity: Collaboration at Every Scale." Her impactful speech encouraged participants to break down barriers to inclusion and embrace equity in all aspects of teamwork and partnership. She instilled a sense of urgency and shared responsibility that still resonates, challenging everyone to reflect on one’s own privileges and contributions to inequity while holding us all accountable for fostering true inclusion.
“I firmly believe that research and innovation can transform healthcare and drive equity in our systems. My firsthand experience with collaborative approaches has shown me their powerful impact on communities. This fuels my commitment to building stronger connections between institutions and the people they serve to co-create sustainable, equitable solutions, especially for marginalized groups. The work we do at the Institut du Savoir Montfort with Archipel is vital. Together, we share the goal of making a tangible impact on the health and well-being of our communities.”
- Estelle Éthier, CEO of Institut Savoir Monfort.
With participants from both Ottawa East and Prescott-Russell, the Assembly strengthened partnerships within Archipel and helped set a path forward toward concrete actions to improve the integration and inclusivity of health services.
Archipel continues to prioritize the voices of those it serves, fostering environments in which equity, collaboration, and inclusion are at the forefront.
Watch the video recap to relive the highlights of the Archipel 2024 partners' meeting through images caught on the spot!
L'Équipe Santé Ontario Archipel est financée par Santé Ontario.
Nous reconnaissons respectueusement que le territoire sur lequel nous opérons est le territoire traditionnel non cédé des Algonquins.
