At the bedside, in areas of research and innovation, and in roles ranging from support to leadership, remarkable women at Sinai Health create possibilities and offer compassionate care to all they serve. In recognition of International Women’s Day 2024, we spoke with some of the women from across Mount Sinai Hospital, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital and the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. Reflecting the theme of #InspireInclusion, we spotlight how these women value inclusion at work, encourage excellence and empower the next generation of health-care providers, all while managing their competing demands as mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends.
What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?
“Every challenge you face and every setback you encounter will contribute to your growth and resilience. Your journey is uniquely yours, and each experience, whether positive or negative, shapes the person you are becoming. For me, many of the challenges I have faced stem from conflicting pressures between work and home. Start now to maintain balance in your life so that you achieve a good work-life balance. Part of this is setting professional and personal goals and continuously re-evaluating these goals as your priorities shift in each stage of your life.”
– Sara Sadooghi, Senior Manager, Pharmacy at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
“Continue to be inclusive with all people in all areas of my life, because it is a great idea even if others do not partake in it. We help each other, we build relationships, and we progress faster and more efficiently.”
– Veronica Dogaru, Medical Device Reprocessing Department Technician at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“I wish I could tell my younger self to appreciate the invaluable lessons my mom, Mary, taught me. From childhood to adulthood, she’s been a constant source of inspiration, instilling in me qualities like selflessness, kindness, hard work, and dedication.”
– Nicole Williams, Service Assistant at Mount Sinai Hospital.
What advice would you give to women embarking on their careers in your field?
“My work is focused on population health data science. We certainly need more people working in this area. It is a vast field, so embrace all challenges, big or small. The work you do can potentially have an impact at the population level, so it can be a rewarding career – what you need are good research questions with the right study design and a supportive environment.”
– Rayjean J. Hung, Associate Director of Population Health at Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.
“My advice to women entering the field would be to prioritize self-discovery. You can’t pour from an empty cup! Understand what truly fills your cup, as taking care of yourself enables you to give more to others. Don’t be afraid to carve your unique path. Early in my career, I thought I had to choose between being a mom and a team physician with associated travel and after-hours work, but I found ways to integrate both. While it’s not perfect, passion, creativity, and a strong support team make it work.”
– Dr. Kimberly Coros, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
How do you foster inclusivity in your work?
“Collaboration and teamwork are always important. Sharing the celebration of a job well done honours all contributions of the staff that continue to move the Milk Bank initiative forward.”
– Debbie Stone, Director, Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank at Mount Sinai Hospital.
“As a woman of colour, I have experienced the ease at which minority voices get lost. I believe that each person’s culture and experiences add to the wealth of our institution. I actively work to reflect on my own implicit biases through education and self-reflection. It has been extremely beneficial to participate in programs such as the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety training and I look forward to future opportunities to promote cultural safety for everyone. Through preceptorship and orienting new hires, I aim to lead by example to create a welcoming environment, offering support and demonstrating our values at Sinai Health.”
– Kerrisha Sasha Smith, Registered Practical Nurse at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital.
“I prioritize inclusivity by providing a safe space for folks to express themselves, actively listening to diverse viewpoints, fostering an atmosphere of respect and acceptance, and ensuring that all voices are not just heard, but truly valued.”
– Melissa Singh, Privacy and Information Specialist, Privacy and Information Access at Sinai Health.
Happy International Women’s Day! Today and every day we celebrate women and their achievements in our workplace and communities.