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What’s in a name?

February 3, 2021

What’s in a name?

by Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO

In our case, a lot.

On March 2, 2021 it will be my great pleasure to introduce you to the new organization that brings together the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. (And not just because we are all very tired of calling ourselves "the newly amalgamated organization that brings together CFHI and CPSI"!).

Working with you as CPSI and CFHI, we achieved a LOT. But we know there is much more to do. And so, we teamed up and together will bring a greater capacity to support you to turn proven innovations into widespread and lasting improvement in patient safety and all the dimensions of healthcare excellence.

This new organization will have a relentless focus on improving healthcare, with – and for – everyone in Canada.

When we launch, you will be able to read our story, see the new logo and tagline and hear our new name. Why is the name the most important? Well, in this case, it's not just how you can identify us. It's how you will know who we are, what we believe in and what we are determined to do – together with people like you.

Would an organization by any other name be the same?

We don't think so. Because the journey that brought us to this name is at the core of what that name is. It's a journey that was completed during a global pandemic that reinforced the need for the amalgamation of our two organizations into something greater than the sum of our parts. And it's a journey that was completed together, with you. It includes many (many) people, from across the country, who participated in in-depth interviews, discussion groups, conversations and testing. Patient partners, essential caregivers, Indigenous partners and many other people committed to healthcare quality and safety were extremely generous with their time and provided unparalleled insight and expertise. And staff, Board and working group members were tireless in their commitment to getting this right. The conversations were not always easy. The passion and dedication that drove input was beyond what we would have hoped for.

In engaging with stakeholders across the country to explore their priorities and how the amalgamated organization can support them, many common themes emerged:

  • Be bold in actions to change the system
  • Be clear and focused about our purpose
  • Look to the future
  • Strengthen diversity and inclusivity
  • Share expertise and guide others
  • Be agile and move quickly

And in the end, it all boils down to finding a name that reflects and honours all of this. True, a name that does not make you who you are, but when brought to life with partners, it definitely sets you in the right direction to begin to make a name for this organization that includes all of us. Because of who we are, what we will do – and mostly, how we will do it.

Together, we have found that name. And together, we will live up to that name.

Want to hear more about the journey, the new name and what the new organization will do? Join us March 3, 2021 for a webinar panel discussion, Shaping the future of quality and safety. Together.