Medavie has been recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of Atlantic Canada’s foremost Employers of Diversity, in recognition of its inclusive corporate culture.
“Everyone should feel welcome and safe in their workplace. This job can be challenging enough and we need to be there for each other. Everyone, regardless of who you are, deserves respect.”
- Courtney Hines, Advanced Care Paramedic, Prince Edward Island EMS -
Medavie is comprised of a team of 8,200+ professionals living and working across Canada. They come to work each day, bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives to their roles in health benefits, health management, and health care delivery.
What unites them is their dedication to providing timely, quality care, ensuring that the millions of lives they impact each year—whether patients or plan members—can be lived to the fullest. Central to that mission is ensuring that access to health care is equitable and meets health and wellness needs across diverse populations.
“When I immigrated to Canada, I prayed to find employment with a company where my contributions and ideas are valued, where I have a sense of inclusion, and a good work-life balance. The answer came as Medavie Blue Cross.”
- Toyin Adetoro, IT Delivery Lead, Medavie, Moncton, NB -
Members of Medavie’s team include Toyin Adetoro, Thuy Phan and Anirudh Rastogi. They each have unique stories, having come to Canada from Nigeria, Vietnam, and the United States, respectively, in search of new opportunities for themselves and their families.
Anirudh Rastogi, a Network Analyst in Moncton, is now paying forward the “invaluable support” he and his wife received in their move by serving on Medavie’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council, along with Toyin and Thuy, an HR Business Partner with EMC (Emergency Medical Care) in Dartmouth, NS. The DEI council is comprised of senior leaders and employees across the organization, which, together with the ERGs, are supporting Medavie’s DEI Director, ensuring progress on the organization’s DEI strategy.
“I'm thankful for the opportunity to contribute to fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Medavie's support in attaining permanent residency reflects its dedication to diversity and equity.“
- Anirudh Rastogi, Network Analyst, Medavie, Moncton NB -
Thuy also leads the Women in the Workplace Employee Resource Group (ERG), one of three voluntary, employee-led groups at Medavie, along with Rainbow Network and Allies and Diverse Abilities, Caregivers and Allies, to provide safe and inclusive spaces to share experiences.
“I am grateful to be an employee of Medavie, where DEI gets strong support from top management and lives within us daily.”
- Thuy Phan, Human Resources Business Partner, EMC, Dartmouth, NS -
Richard Howie, Account Associate, in St. John’s, NL, serves on the latter with Kristy Cole, Business Analyst in Riverview, NB, and ERG lead. The goals of the ERG are to raise awareness of workplace issues that affect people with disabilities of all types and their caregivers, along with workplace benefits, accessibility, and accommodation solutions. Members also want to create a safe and empathetic space for discussion, for leaders to be equipped to support their direct report, and for employees to feel comfortable disclosing their disabilities and caregiving responsibilities so they can receive necessary accommodations.
“Being neurodiverse with a diagnosis of two types of neurodivergence much later in life, and having been a caregiver to multiple family members, I have a unique perspective that may help others.”
- Richard Howie, Account Associate, MBC, St. John’s, NL
As a person with bipolar disorder, Kristy Cole says she has faced adversity in her career. Medavie was the first to support her needs.
“There is a lack of understanding about the condition with people not seeing it as a disability to be accommodated, rather that the person is ‘crazy and unstable’ and therefore not capable of achieving objectives or being reliable. Unfortunately, when you are treated this way it sets back not only the growth of your career, but your own progress in dealing with the condition.”
- Kristy Cole, Business Analyst, MBC, Riverview, NB
As a national health solutions partner, Medavie is committed to fostering a respectful culture where everyone the organization employs and serves is valued for who they are and what they contribute. Medavie regards diversity and inclusion as a source of strength, fostering collaboration and innovation that leads to deeper relationships, ground-breaking solutions, and healthier, more vibrant communities.
“Knowing there are many people who truly care about employees and allow us to feel safe and welcome to be our authentic self at work makes me proud to be part of this organization.”
- Chelsea Cunningham, EMC Operations Supervisor, Musquodoboit, NS
Medavie DEI Initiatives
DEI in Action
- We provide DEI training and resources to employees
- We apply DEI principles to our health delivery services and health insurance products
- We enhance access to fair and culturally responsive care through community and social impact investments
Did you know?
- Medavie is a partner member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and a funding partner of the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
- Medavie is Rainbow Registered as a 2SLGBTQIA+-friendly organization
- 68% employees at Medavie are women
- 93% of employees feel strongly Medavie is committed to inclusion and their overall sense of belonging
Note: Medavie has been selected as one of Atlantic Canada’s foremost Employers of Diversity, in recognition of its inclusive corporate culture. The award program is an initiative of Atlantic Business Magazine. As one of just four winners across the Atlantic region, Medavie is celebrated in the July/August issue of the magazine. This is the second consecutive year Medavie has won this prestigious award.
