Back May 26, 2016

A Canadian movement is going global. Radboudumc, one of the leading academic centres for innovation in patient care, education and research in the Netherlands, today announced that it will propagate Saint Elizabeth’s Spreading Hope and Happiness campaign with its 14,000 employees. 

The collaborative effort is part of a larger strategic partnership launched between Radboudumc’s REshape Center for Innovation and Saint Elizabeth Community Enterprise, with the aim of advancing people-powered health and innovation in Canada, the Netherlands, and beyond.

The Hope and Happiness movement was initiated in 2014 by Saint Elizabeth and its team of 8,000 staff as a way to celebrate and encourage personal and creative acts of kindness. Leveraging the power of shared storytelling, the effort has been recognized nationally with a Human Spirit Award for its impact in inspiring others. 

Through their unique partnership, Radboudumc and Saint Elizabeth will collaborate in a number of areas ranging from innovation, technology and knowledge transfer, to health service delivery models, emerging practices and research.

 “As organizations, we believe in the power of people and share a common vision to create a robust and sustainable health care system by bridging innovation, personal empowerment and the opportunities of digital transformation,” said Shirlee Sharkey, CEO of Saint Elizabeth. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Radboudumc to accelerate this work, and of course, to be spreading hope and happiness.”

“Our interest in exploring and advancing new products, services and policies in health innovation, care delivery and people-powered health are common goals Radboudumc and Saint Elizabeth share. Next, our spirit of innovation and DNA are so aligned, this has to come together,” said Lucien Engelen, Director of the REshape Center.

This week, Radboudumc hosts over a thousand global health innovators at Our Future Health, the world’s first blended healthcare conference combining a physical event in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, with a live virtual stream featuring over 20 locations worldwide. Keynote speakers include prominent change agents such as H.R.H. Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands; Jos de Blok, founder of the Buurtzorg neighbourhood nursing model; and Dr. Daniel Kraft of Singularity University.

As one of the proud speakers at this event, Shirlee Sharkey shared Saint Elizabeth’s journey in spreading hope and happiness on the main stage this morning. Watch video.

To learn more or participate, go to ourfuturehealth.org.