MRHA Displays Progress Pride Flags Across All Sites to Honour Pride Month and Deepen Commitment to Inclusion
June 02, 2025
Almonte and Carleton Place, ON – The Mississippi River Health
Alliance (MRHA) is marking Pride Month by formally displaying the
Progress Pride Flag at all its sites: Almonte General Hospital, Fairview Manor,
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital and the Lanark County Paramedic
Service Headquarters. These displays are a visible expression of the MRHA’s
enduring commitment to equity, inclusion, and reconciliation.
The Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS), an entity of the
MRHA, has long participated in Pride Month through annual flag displays at its Montague
headquarters and by wearing rainbow epaulettes throughout June. Their continued
leadership in this space reinforces MRHA’s collective efforts to foster
inclusive, compassionate care across all sites and services.
These displays are more than symbolic. They reflect MRHA’s
deeply held values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and honour
the voices, identities, and histories of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals across the
communities we are proud to serve.
“Displaying
these flags is a meaningful way to demonstrate who we are and what we stand
for,” said Brad Harrington, President & CEO of MRHA. “They send a clear
message: everyone is welcome here, everyone belongs.”
The initiative builds on a year of significant progress led
by MRHA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI&B) Committee,
which continues to drive systemic change across the organization. Notable
milestones include:
· The
introduction of gender-neutral restroom signage across sites
· DEI&B training modules launched system-wide,
surpassing completion targets.
· Strengthened
partnerships with Wabano Centre, Ginawaydaganuc Village, and Pride Mississippi
Mills, among others
· Implementation of a formal Land Acknowledgment
Policy for all MRHA events and communications.
“These flags are a visible reminder of the real work
underway to create a more inclusive healthcare system,” said Angela McLean,
Chair of the DEI&B Committee. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come and even
more committed to the work ahead.”
Looking forward, MRHA will continue advancing cultural
safety, implementing smudging and spiritual support services, enhancing inclusive
hiring practices, and deepening its engagement with equity-deserving
communities.
MRHA is
proud to stand alongside our staff, patients, and community partners in
advancing equity, not only during Pride Month, but year-round.
To learn more about MRHA’s DEI&B efforts, visit www.mrha.ca
-30-
Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About
the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an
integrated healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home,
enhancing access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit www.MRHA.ca.