Jul 7, 2025 | Faces of HDGH
When we think of hospitals, our minds usually go straight to doctors, nurses, and maybe even the folks at the front desk who help us check in. But behind the scenes, there’s a group of professionals making an impact on patient care and staff well-being: injury prevention specialists and ergonomists.
These roles might not be as visible as those in the frontline, but their work is also essential to keeping hospitals running smoothly and safely. With July 7, 2025 being National Injury Prevention Day, let’s take a closer look at how Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) works hard to keep everyone safe.
Injury prevention specialists and ergonomists are experts in identifying risks and designing solutions to prevent injuries before they happen. At HDGH, that means we assess how people move, lift, sit, stand, and interact with their environment. Their goal? To reduce strain, prevent accidents, and create a safer space for both patients and staff.
Think of them as the safety engineers of the healthcare world.
All of the physical activity that happens in our hospital – lifting patients, moving equipment, standing and walking, can lead to injuries without proper ergonomics and injury prevention strategies.
That’s where injury prevention specialists come in. They analyze tasks, recommend better tools or techniques, and support leadership with training staff on how to move safely. Ergonomists can support with the aforementioned role, and take it a step further by redesigning workspaces and workflows to fit the individuals using them.
A day in the life of an injury prevention specialist or ergonomist at HDGH can vary, but here are some of the things we might tackle
Injury prevention specialists and ergonomists work to help reduce injuries, lower costs, and improve the overall experience for both staff and patients. In a world where healthcare workers have many roles and responsibilities, having someone focused on keeping them safe and supported is crucial.
So next time you walk through a hospital and see a healthcare worker using a lift device or a workstation that looks surprisingly comfortable, there’s a good chance an ergonomist or injury prevention specialist had something to do with it.
Aakash Patel has been with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare since October 2024, working as the Injury Prevention Coordinator. Aakash takes the lead on duties such as Ergonomic Assessments, Mask Fit Tests, and Physical Demands Analyses, amongst other duties within the Occupational Health and Safety department (OHS).
Aakash holds an Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Movement Science) from the University of Windsor and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Ergonomic Studies from Fanshawe College. Throughout his career Aakash has worked as an Ergonomics Specialist, looking to improve workplace processes, and make duties safer, to lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for his fellow employees. Aakash also holds an Associate Ergonomist (AE) designation with the Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE).
In his spare time, Aakash enjoys reading, watching sports, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.