Kitchener, ON | June 18, 2026— In a significant step forward for health equity and personalized care, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) has updated its patient identification protocols to include a patient’s chosen name on all hospital armbands alongside their legal name.
The initiative is part of a broader, systemic effort to ensure every patient feels recognized, respected, and safe from the moment they enter a WRHN facility. It builds upon a 2022 digital infrastructure update that first allowed chosen names to be displayed prominently within patients’ electronic health records. Over time, equity-focused questions regarding chosen names, pronouns, and gender identity have been fully embedded into standard hospital registration workflows.
“This update is about ensuring every patient feels seen, respected, and safe,” says Ruby Latif, Director of Social Accountability at WRHN. “Rather than being driven by a single event, this change reflects the natural progression of our commitment to person-centred and equitable care. It shows how organizational systems can be adapted to remove barriers that historically made healthcare feel unsafe or exclusionary for some communities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ patients.”
From a clinical and operational perspective, the dual-name approach on the armbands allows WRHN to champion patient dignity without compromising strict patient safety standards. The legal name remains on the band for mandatory clinical verification purposes, while the chosen name allows care teams to address patients accurately and respectfully during sensitive moments.
Prior to launching the initiative, WRHN conducted a rigorous review of all health facility Accreditation standards and updated its institutional Patient ID policy to reflect the changes. Frontline registration staff underwent comprehensive, leader-led change management, which included completing dedicated e-learning modules and receiving hands-on operational support during the launch to address immediate troubleshooting, such as technical printing adjustments. Patient-facing resources, including posters and brochures, have also been rolled out across all sites to introduce the change transparently.
The real-world impact of the update is already being felt by patients, particularly during vulnerable experiences such as emergency visits, hospital admissions, or recovery from surgery.
To ensure the long-term success of the program, WRHN is tracking registration data via a dedicated dashboard and actively collecting feedback from both staff and patients through formal reporting forms.
“Displaying a chosen name supports both safe patient identification and a more respectful patient experience,” says Cynthia Welton, Director of Quality, Patient Safety and Experience at WRHN. “When patients feel acknowledged for who they are, it fosters deeper trust, comfort, and engagement with their care team. Our comprehensive training and monitoring ensure our staff have the tools they need to make this a seamless, positive transition for everyone.”
The initiative aligns directly with WRHN’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan and its core priority to Advance Personalized Care across the region.
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About Waterloo Regional Health Network
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, we provide outstanding care that’s personal, seamless, and reimagined.
Learn more at WRHN.ca.
Media Contact:
Cassandra Easton
Public Affairs Lead, Waterloo Regional Health Network
[email protected]
519-584-5548