We are Niagara Health is a series of stories that celebrates the incredible people working and volunteering in our organization and how they make a difference in the lives of patients and coworkers every day.
With experience in refugee care and equity-focused leadership, Grace Pataunia brings a unique lens to her role as Clinical Manager of Surgical Services at Niagara Health.
For a long time, Grace Pataunia navigated her career without making too much noise. As an LGBT woman in healthcare, she often felt pressured to stay silent – to avoid mentioning her partner and keeping her personal life separate from her professional life.
“I didn’t feel like I could be fully open,” she says. “So I filtered. I kept things separate.”
Now serving as Clinical Manager of Surgical Services at Niagara Health, Pataunia reflects on how a supportive, inclusive environment has allowed her to lead with authenticity – and become the kind of visible, empowered leader she once needed.
“I walk into my office and see a Pride flag on the door,” she says. “It’s not just a decoration, but a message. A message that this is a safe space, that I belong and that anyone who walks in here, staff or patient, is seen.”
Since joining Niagara Health in February, Pataunia says the shift has been transformative. The organization’s commitment to onboarding, mentorship and community has given her a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
“I truly appreciate the support – from leadership workshops to forums and the strong sense of community. It’s made me feel more than just an employee. I feel valued.”
That sense of value has given her the freedom to lead in a way that’s deeply personal and people-focused. Her open-door policy, mental health awareness, and unit-based committee initiatives are just a few of the ways she fosters a strong sense of belonging on her unit.
“I don’t view myself as someone who sits above others,” she says. “We’re all playing different roles on the same team. I know the pets my staff have and their summer plans – those personal connections matter.”
During Nursing Week this year, she proudly brought her partner to a staff dinner, something she once would have avoided out of fear and public pressure. “The fact that I didn’t hesitate – that I felt completely comfortable doing that, says everything about where I am now,” she says.
Pataunia is also a visible presence in Niagara Health’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. Whether it’s proudly displaying symbols of support, being on the NH DEI Committee, offering one-on-one conversations with staff, she understands the power of being seen.
“Visibility matters. It signals safety; it helps people open up. I’ve had several staff come out to me because they saw my flag or heard me speak. That’s what it’s all about – creating space where people can show up fully, without fear.”
