The Central East Regional Cancer Program at Lakeridge Health Recognized as Best in Ontario for providing Innovative, Equitable, Community-driven Cancer Care
(Durham Region) – FEBRUARY 4, 2026 – The Central East Regional Cancer Program has been recognized as a provincial leader in equitable, community-centered cancer care. Two local initiatives, the EmpowerHER Cancer Screening event and the Indigenous Traditional Medicine Clinics, received top honours for equity and Indigenous Health at the 2025 Cancer Quality Council of Ontario Quality (CQCO) and Innovation Awards, placing the Cancer Program among the best in Ontario.
“These CQCO awards speak to the heart of who we are at Lakeridge Health and more broadly, the Central East Regional Cancer Program,” said Kirsten Burgomaster, Health System Executive, Clinical, Lakeridge Health and Regional Vice President, Central East Regional Cancer Program. “Being recognized as a provincial leader in equity and Indigenous health reflects the leadership, innovation, and deep commitment of our teams, who continue to push boundaries to deliver care that is equitable, culturally responsive, and grounded in strong community partnerships. I’m so proud of the Cancer Screening and Prevention Team and the Indigenous Cancer Team and the partnerships that made these initiatives possible. For Durham Region residents, this recognition shows that equitable, award-winning care is a cornerstone of the Central East Regional Cancer Program.”
Together, these initiatives reflect Lakeridge Health and the Central East Regional Cancer Program’s commitment to co-designing and delivering care that is not only clinically excellent, but also deeply responsive to the diverse communities it serves.
EmpowerHER wins top 2025 Equity Award
EmpowerHER – a cancer screening and awareness event held at Lakeridge Health’s Oshawa Hospital – received the Equity Award at the 2025 Cancer Quality Council of Ontario Quality and Innovation Awards. Last year, the team was given the “Honourable Mention” in this category. The Equity Award recognizes programs that reduce health gaps, improve access to care, and deliver measurable results for equity-deserving communities.
EmpowerHER helps break down barriers and improve access to cancer screening for Black women across Durham Region by offering the opportunity to book breast, lung and cervical cancer screening on the same day, and on site. The screening event focuses on care that not only recognizes but also celebrates the culture of the African-Black-Caribbean community through dancing, food, fellowship, and presentations from impactful speakers who encouraged and community members to get screened for cancer.
This year’s event welcomed more than 100 participants from across Durham Region and supported over 80 cancer screenings, leading to the early detection of several health concerns. Interest in EmpowerHER continues to grow, highlighting the strong need for culturally responsive healthcare options. Participants also reported a positive experience, with an average satisfaction rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
EmpowerHER was delivered through strong partnerships with The Olive Branch of Hope, Black Health Alliance, Lakeridge Health, Durham Community Health Centre (CHC), and TAIBU CHC to co-host the event. Together, the partners helped design and deliver cancer screening and education that reflected the needs and lived experiences of Black, African, and Caribbean communities in Durham Region, helping to reduce barriers and improve access to care.
“This was our second year delivering the EmpowerHER event, and the growing turnout shows how important this event is to the community,” said Shannon Bourke, Director, Central East Regional Cancer Program at Lakeridge Health. “One participant told me, “I finally heard my own voice” at the event and that’s exactly the impact we want to make for community members. By creating a welcoming, culturally responsive space, we’re improving access, building trust, and helping people across Durham Region take charge of their health.”
The Traditional Medicine Clinic – One of the First of its Kind in Central East Ontario – earns prestigious 2025 Indigenous Health Award
The Traditional Medicine Clinic also received top honours, winning the 2025 Indigenous Health Award at the 2025 Cancer Quality Council of Ontario Quality and Innovation Awards, winning this award category for the second year in a row! This is the third consecutive year the Central East Regional Cancer Program has been recognized for its approach to advancing Indigenous Health.
This year, the team was recognized for its work on creating a Traditional Indigenous Medicine Clinic. This clinic, a first of its kind within a cancer centre in Ontario, brings Indigenous healing practices, including access to Ceremony, Traditional medicines, and a Traditional Healer within a dedicated, culturally-safe space at the hospital.
The Traditional Indigenous Medicine Clinic provides critically needed care for Indigenous patients and families and responds to access barriers. It has been found that it can be very difficult for Indigenous patients to access Traditional Healers, particularly for urban Indigenous community members. Traditional Indigenous health practices are largely unavailable within Western health-care institutions. In addition to providing improved holistic care, this clinic responds to these access barriers, as well as the health-related calls to action within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (TRC)
Patients describe the clinic as life-changing, noting it helps support holistic healing alongside clinical treatment. The Traditional Medicine Clinics demonstrates how culturally responsive care can remove barriers and ensure health services truly reflect the needs, identities, and lived experiences of Indigenous communities.
“We’re so thankful to Indigenous Navigator, Kathy Macleod-Beaver, for her vision to make Traditional Medicine Clinics accessible for patients at the hospital,” said Burgomaster.” We’re also grateful to Pete Kashain, Traditional Healer and Knowledge Carrier, for sharing his gifts and Medicine with the people at the Cancer Centre. This Traditional Medicine Clinic, brought into a Western health-care setting, demonstrates our commitment to holistic Indigenous care for the patients we serve.”
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About the Central East Regional Cancer Program The Central East Regional Cancer Program (CERCP) ensures equitable, high quality cancer care across the Central East Region, including the communities of Durham Region, Haliburton County, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and the City of Peterborough. The CE RCP is a network of systems, hospitals and agencies that work together to provide cancer prevention, screening, diagnostic, treatment and support services across the continuum of care. To learn more, visit cercp.ca.
About Lakeridge Health
Lakeridge Health is one of Ontario’s most comprehensive health systems, with five hospitals, four emergency departments, three critical care units, a long-term care home, a state-of-the-art, community-based surgical centre, and more than 30 community-based locations delivering acute, ambulatory, and long-term care. We are home to leading regional programs in cancer care, chronic kidney disease services, and critical care. In addition, we offer specialty services such as a Level 3 Trauma Centre, The Shoulder Centre, thoracic surgery, gynecology oncology, eye care, and a full continuum of mental health and addictions care. Through transformative research, dynamic academic partnerships, and over 160 active clinical studies, we are advancing medical knowledge and training the next generation of providers through the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program and the LHEARN Network. Supported by nearly 9,000 staff, physicians, and volunteers, and working in collaboration with the Durham Ontario Health Team and community partners, we are committed to building an integrated system of care and empowering people across Durham Region to live their best health.
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