Words to Lead By:
Benefits Together Speakers, Panelists Share Insights, Strategies on Workforce Wellbeing
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on May 25, 2023
Words to Lead By:
Benefits Together Speakers, Panelists Share Insights, Strategies on Workforce Wellbeing
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on May 25, 2023
Medavie Blue Cross’s annual conference series, Benefits Together, put into sharp focus the need to think and act differently in how employers ensure employees have timely, easy access to care, the tools to build mental resilience and a culture that gives them a strong sense of belonging.
The event, held in Halifax, April 19, Toronto, April 26, and Montreal, May 3, shone a light on the most pressing issues impacting both Canada’s workplaces and health care systems and featured:
- A fireside chat with Medavie CEO Bernard Lord on how forward-looking benefit solutions can be transformative in bridging gaps in health care and meeting the needs of today’s workforce
- An employer panel discussion on best practices and lessons learned from implementing diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in the workplace
- A closing keynote in Halifax and Toronto with physician and changemaker Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa on how creating greater inclusivity in the workplace can also support better mental health
- A closing keynote in Montreal with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, workplace mental health expert, psychologist and counsellor on how we can build healthier workforces, with a focus on neurodiversity and mental health
Here are some inspiring words from their presentations and conversations on navigating and driving change in the in the ever-evolving worlds of work, health and wellness:
“Access to appropriate care and the rising cost of health care are challenges we are all grappling with. As the needs and expectations of Canadians continue to change when it comes to receiving health care, the insurance sector, including Medavie, can adapt quickly to make services available to plan members, where and how they need them.” Bernard Lord, CEO, Medavie and Chair of the Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association
“The Canadian workforce consists of five generations and a variety of backgrounds working side-by-side. The great variance in wellness needs across groups of employees illustrates the importance of companies being proactive and ensuring their employees can access different types of care at every stage of life.” Alaina Mackenzie, Regional Vice President Business Development, Medavie Blue Cross
“If we want to broaden the discussion on how to create healthier and more efficient workplaces, it is even more imperative to focus on neurodiversity.” Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Leadership Resilience and Burnout Expert
“Workplaces that evolve to support social changes and expectations will set their employees, and ultimately the entire business up for success. Similarly, benefit offerings must continue to evolve to be as inclusive and accessible as possible so that we are meeting people where they are.” Jennifer Taylor, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Medavie
“You should dare to stand in your authenticity and occupy powerful spaces, or if you have had the historical privilege of doing so, I dare you to make room for those to step in from the margins. By doing this, you will not only empower yourself, but actually shift the culture of a collective and inspire a generation. It’s only when we do this that the gaps in equity begin to close, and opportunities for success are made available to all.” Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Physician, Changemaker and Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion
“It’s been often said that ‘there is no health without mental health. I think we should add ‘there is no mental health without inclusion.’” Eric Laberge, President, Medavie Blue Cross
“Neurodiversity replaces a deficit mentality with a strength and resilience mentality. For organizations, this broader, and frankly more realistic, perspective opens up an even greater and deeper opportunity to integrate high calibre contributors and leaders into their teams.” Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Leadership Resilience and Burnout Expert
“When it comes to the evolution of work, employees want to work for organizations that have values that align with their own. Employers should view this as an opportunity to rise to the occasion and recalibrate their workplaces, which includes a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.” Jennifer Taylor, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Medavie
"We need to innovate the way we think about health care to meet demand and fix the current crisis. If we put patients and providers ahead of ideologies, we’ll find there are really good solutions in health care that can be implemented.” Bernard Lord, CEO, Medavie and Chair of the Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association
Read more about our conference in this Talent Canada article and visit Medavie’s website for further information on our DEI strategy.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...