Kindness Buttons Continue to Bring Smiles at the Oshawa Hospital

Inspired by the kindness and camaraderie of the recent Spirit Week at the Oshawa Hospital, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging Jean Nash saw an opportunity to revive a beloved initiative at Lakeridge Health: kindness buttons.

For individuals like Cheryl Joe, these simple yet meaningful tokens of appreciation make a difference. 

“Getting a kindness button from Jean meant a lot as it made me feel seen and recognized for the work I do,” shares Cheryl, Charge Radiology Technologist, Interventional Radiology at Lakeridge Health. “In health care, we often don't get opportunities to discuss the role and impact that kindness plays in our everyday lives. This gives us a chance to stop and look at how it impacts patient experience, our work environment, and overall personal well-being.”

Kindness buttons are small green buttons from the Love and Kindness Project Foundation, meant to uplift others. Since the campaign launched at Lakeridge Health in 2022, Jean recognized the positive effect of the buttons.

“I was inspired by the Love and Kindness Project Foundation and I’ve felt firsthand the positive impact the kindness buttons had on team members when the initiative started a couple years ago,” explains Jean, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging at the Oshawa Hospital. “I felt it was just the ray of light our team needed to celebrate Spirit Week.”

This time was no different. Within two days, all 400 kindness buttons were distributed.

“We’ve had such an overwhelming positive response from our teams,” says Jean.

Two days, 400 buttons, and 400 smiles later, the rekindled campaign is only just beginning. “I feel we have a much larger audience to reach,” says Jean. “My hope is that everyone who received a button will be inspired to give a button to a colleague, friend, or family member to continue to spread the inspiring message of the Love and Kindness Project.”

“Any time we can share joy, we can connect,” adds Cheryl.