At the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, culture isn’t a buzzword—it’s a shared commitment. Following a period of large-scale change and renewal, the Foundation has reshaped its internal culture into one defined by empathy, trust and purpose.

The results speak volumes: 100 per cent of employees say they’d recommend the Foundation as a workplace, with 86 per cent workplace happiness and 82 per cent compassion-in-the-workplace ratings. “When our employees feel valued and cared for,” says President and CEO Shannon Hunter, “they believe more deeply in our purpose and in the leadership that guides it.

That purpose includes continuous improvement. Quarterly pulse checks, powered by the Foundation’s partnership with MESH Diversity, provide real-time insights into employee experience—replacing the traditional annual survey with meaningful, actionable feedback. Last year, the Foundation also worked closely with Culture Check to deepen inclusion across the team. Through collaborative workshops and planning sessions, staff defined what compassion, respect, and accountability look like in practice.

Those values—co-created, not imposed—now guide everything from performance reviews to everyday interactions. They are embedded in a staff-built Team Charter and upheld by a cross-organizational Culture Ambassador program, which ensures transparency and direct communication between employees and leadership.

What’s emerged is more than a workplace. It’s a culture of care—one that fuels resilience, fosters growth, and strengthens connection. And with a solid foundation now in place, the Foundation is evolving again: from rebuilding to refining, from intention to lasting impact.