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.
As both a physician and a mother of two, creating inclusive environments where people can be unapologetically themselves is something that Dr. Lorraine Jensen is passionate about.
As Chief, Department of Medicine and Program Medical Director at Niagara Health, Dr. Jensen is also a member of Niagara Health’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee and Pride group sub-committee. As an ally to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, she uses her influence as a physician – and one in a high-profile leadership position – to support and advocate for underrepresented and marginalized groups.
“It’s really important to me to be visible as a leader in healthcare,” she says. “I’m passionate about advocating for people and communities who haven’t had the same privileges as me and who may not sit at the same tables I sit at.”
Pride Month, which is celebrated around the world every June, is an opportunity to both celebrate how far we’ve come and how much work still lies ahead.
“Pride to me is a time to celebrate,” she says. “It’s a time to honour history and reflect on the challenges and discrimination that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community faces, as well an opportunity to look towards the future. My kids are young, but I want them to grow up in an environment where they can be their true selves without persecution or discrimination, and I think Pride highlights that philosophy.”
Dr. Jensen believes that having an equitable, inclusive work environment translates to better workplace relationships and better patient care. She puts her allyship into practice year-round by cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for staff, physicians and patients.
“My email signature includes my pronouns which can help others feel safe in sharing their pronouns with me, and I have a Pride pin that I wear all the time on my lanyard,” she says. “I don’t just wear the pin on my lanyard for show. I wear it so that people know they can be their true selves with me. I want people to know they’re receiving safe and inclusive healthcare.”
"My kids are young, but I want them to grow up in an environment where they can be their true selves without persecution or discrimination, and I think Pride highlights that philosophy."
Recently, Dr. Jensen saw a patient who commented on how nice it was to see her Pride pin be visible when she entered the room. This patient had expressed that she had experienced homophobia in healthcare in the past and felt safe sharing her struggles with her.
Additional ways people can be an ally, Dr. Jensen says, includes speaking up against discrimination, not making assumptions about people’s gender or sexuality, being willing to educate and be educated, and respecting how people want to be identified. This includes not referring to people who transitioned by their ‘dead name’ and using correct identifiers.
“Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s important to be open to learning, listening and bettering yourself,” she says.
Dr. Jensen, who dreamt of being a physician since she was five years old, is living out her passion for helping people through stressful and uncertain times in their lives. In her role, she oversees all credentialed physicians in the Department of Medicine as well as overseeing delivery of care and services.
“I have the medical knowledge and ability to help people work through potentially life-altering diagnoses,” she says. “I can’t think of another job that would give me more satisfaction.”
Learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Niagara Health.
