​Photo caption: The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance ​ Strategic Plan Committee.

By: Beth Northcott, Communications Specialist, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance​

At Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA), the new Strategic Plan is more than words on paper — it is a reflection of the people who bring the hospital to life every day. From staff, physicians and volunteers to patients, families and community partners, this plan was built from the ground up, shaped by thousands of voices across CKHA and the community. 

Through surveys, interviews, and in-person sessions, CKHA heard what matters most — and those insights became the foundation for the path forward. 

“This wasn’t about checking boxes. It was about genuinely listening,” says Stacy Zimmer, Project Management Lead. “When voices started to align, we knew we had something powerful.” 

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has launched its new five-year Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, titled “Our Focus is You,” to guide the organization in providing patient-centered care. It outlines six key objectives: responding to community healthcare needs in partnership with others, being an exceptional workplace, acting as responsible stewards of resources, enriching each person's experience at every interaction, delivering safe and high-quality patient care, and supporting the experience of credentialed healthcare professionals. This strategic roadmap aims to move the hospital forward by creating actionable goals that are grounded in the needs and values of the Chatham-Kent community. 

Rather than a traditional report, CKHA opted for a bold, one-page format — clear, memorable, and easy to keep top of mind. 

“We didn’t want a binder that sits on a shelf,” says Melissa Johnson, Director of Planning, Performance, Health Information, and Privacy. “We wanted something that lives in our daily conversations.” 

A diverse Strategic Planning Committee guided the process every step of the way. 

“There’s so much passion across our organization,” says Mike Andrews, CKHA housekeeper and committee member. “We wanted the plan to honour that.” 

The plan includes a new corporate video which highlights the new purpose statement “Our Focus is You”. The words are from CKHA staff and patient interviews — every word spoken comes from the people who shaped the plan. 

“This plan is us,” adds Melissa. “And the video captures that beautifully.” 

 To watch the video and learn more about the Strategic Plan, visit https://www.ckha.on.ca/strategic-planning-2025-2030/​