Shannon Hunter, CEO of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, has no doubt as to why her organization is one of the best places to work in Atlantic Canada. “I think what makes us unique is that it’s very much a people-first culture, from the ground up.”

“By bringing out the very best in one another – by embracing workplace values that guide our interactions with each other – we bring out the very best in one another, and our community.”

Since the Foundation’s inaugural year in 1984, it has raised over $154 million to enhance patient care through new technologies, capital projects, medical research and professional education. Last year, alone, it disbursed a record-breaking $10.8 million to fund equipment and technology, patient support and access, infrastructure, training and education, and research to transform care for New Brunswickers.

Supporting all of this is a clear set of values that function like a roadmap for the Foundation’s 17-member staff – and not by accident. “Our Culture Agreement was actually developed by our own employees through an in-depth, six-month process,” Hunter said. “It’s how compassion and empathy transform into every day operating principles.”

That means collaborating, respecting, empathizing, supporting, and trusting one another on both the big picture and the finer details. “It’s about how we show up to work every day to be our best selves and celebrate our successes. It’s also about learning from each other’s experiences and collaborating with one goal in mind,” Hunter said.

“At the end of the day, we are here to ensure we have real impact. We never lose sight of that. Ultimately, we’re here to inspire donor generosity, to support our dedicated hospital staff and improve healthcare, right here at home.”