Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is pleased to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026. This year’s winners were announced online in The Globe and Mail and in a special magazine by Mediacorp Canada Inc., the country’s largest publisher of employment periodicals. This prestigious award celebrates organizations with exceptional workplaces and human resources programs, evaluating dimensions such as corporate culture, employee benefits, professional development, communications, and community involvement.
“We are proud to be among Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2026, and a workplace of choice for highly skilled healthcare professionals,” said David Graham, President and CEO. “SHN’s Strategic Plan 2024-2029 includes a focus on our people and culture, and this award acknowledges our commitment to advancing how we recruit, retain, and support our exceptional people.”
The award is also a reflection of the accomplishments SHN has made through its People Strategy 2024–2029. This dedicated strategy is grounded in the pillars of workforce sustainability; recognition and rewards; long-term growth and development; health, safety, and wellness; and equity and inclusivity.
“Our People Strategy was developed to position our workforce for success in a rapidly changing healthcare environment,” said Noura Gharibo Shaw, Vice President, People, Culture andGovernance, and Chief Human Resources Officer. “Through this strategy, SHN has advanced, created, and achieved several key initiatives that have helped to make us one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers.”
Some of the achievements SHN has brought to life include:
• Introducing a new Professional Development Review Program (PDRP), designed to support growth, career aspirations, and personalized development plans through tools, guidance, and meaningful one-on-one conversations between staff and their leaders.
• Continuing to profile staff through the dynamic Where the World Comes to Work recruitment campaign, which highlights the diverse and vibrant workforce driving the health network forward.
• Expanding its series of EnRoute professional development programs that fast-track nursing careers by providing essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in specialized areas of care.
• Launching a new Employee Health Management program through a transformational approach to absence management and a focus on the crucial role of communication between leaders and staff.
• Fostering a culture of inclusivity through staff education like the PeopleFirst: Compassionate Care program, which promotes diversity, provides essential training and resources, and encourages open and empathetic communication.
• Establishing an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Committee with employee, professional staff, and volunteer representation to serve as a platform for shaping and advancing EDI initiatives across SHN—ensuring that policies and programs reflect the values of fairness, respect, and belonging.
In addition to being named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, SHN has been recertified for 2025 by Waterstone Human Capital as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™. This is the organization’s third consecutive year being recognized for this award.
“Our achievements are a direct result of the passion and dedication of our people—our greatest asset. Every day, our staff, professional staff, volunteers, and learners live our values and strengthen the community and culture that makes SHN an employer of choice,” said Gharibo Shaw. “Together, we celebrate our commitment to being a workplace where every person can thrive and bring their best self to their roles in delivering exceptional quality healthcare.”
By Nicole Ruggiero
Nicole Ruggiero is a Communications Specialist, SHN.