Published: January 2026
From hospital halls to city streets, Grace Kennedy is championing care in every way possible.
Anyone who’s fundraised for The Ottawa Hospital at Ottawa Race Weekend knows it’s not about how fast you run — or even if you run at all. It’s about why you do it.
“I would not consider myself to be an elite runner, however I can’t pass up opportunities that can advance mental health care at TOH.” says Grace Kennedy, team captain of longtime fundraising group Mind Over Miles.
For Grace, who serves as the Clinical Manager of Inpatient Mental Health and the Psychiatric Emergency Department at the Civic Campus, it’s never been about pace or personal bests. Her focus is on something different — the future of mental health care in our community.
From student to leader
Grace’s journey with The Ottawa Hospital began as a nursing student at the University of Ottawa, drawn to the hospital’s welcoming environment and values that matched her own. Her path to mental health feels almost innate — her grandmother spent her entire career as a psychiatric nurse in Kingston, a legacy Grace only fully appreciated in recent years.
“Being in a leadership role across different services has given me a full appreciation of the entire patient journey: from the emergency department to acute care and then back into the community,” says Grace. “It’s rewarding to not only witness that journey myself, but also to share that perspective with my staff, helping them see the impact of their care and how each step connects to the next.”
Working closely with her team and her commitment to helping patients is what makes her most excited for the healthcare changes on the horizon: the new hospital campus being built on Carling Ave.
“When I think about what inspires me the most about new hospital, the words that really just come to mind is innovation and collaboration.”
Frontline feedback in action
Grace and some of her team have had the chance to weigh in on proposed plans for mental health services at The Ottawa Hospital’s new campus. From reviewing design mock-ups to input on accessibility needs and even the smallest details, they’re ensuring the space is welcoming, therapeutic, and dignified for patients. She emphasizes collaboration at every level — bringing frontline nurses, therapists, and physicians into the planning process to create an environment that supports both patient care and staff experience. Grace and some of her team are a part of the internal engagement meetings that bring together staff and physicians from across TOH to review designs from a clinical and organizational perspective.
“We have consistent physician and manager representation at every meeting, and I bring some of my team to see patient room mock-ups to experience it from their point of view,” she explains, “It’s a truly collaborative effort, focused not just on what patients will experience, but also on improving the environment and support for the staff who care for them every day.”
For Grace, the new campus represents a powerful shift: a chance to build innovative, patient-centered mental health care from the ground up and a welcoming and calming environment for patients seeking acute mental health services.
Back for another inspiring year
Last year, Grace took on a new role as team captain for Mind Over Miles, leading her staff through the streets of Ottawa at Race Weekend. A new challenge, a new chapter — why wouldn’t she?
Mind Over Miles, founded in 2021 by Dr. Mark Kaluzienski, has quickly become a cherished tradition within The Ottawa Hospital’s Mental Health program.
The hospital’s healthcare professionals, who do life-changing work every day in the hospital, bring that same passion and dedication into the community. Since their first year, they’ve raised over $45,000.00 directly supporting the future of care in our city.
Beyond the dollars, the experience is invaluable. It’s giving hardworking physicians, managers and nurses the chance to be active and connect with colleagues outside of work and contribute to a campaign that will reshape the future of care they dedicate their careers to.
When Grace was asked to take on the role of team captain last year, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to “walk the talk” on promoting both physical and mental wellness.
“Participating in race weekend was energizing. It’s a chance to connect, support one another, and show that wellness truly matters,” she says.
Support Mind Over Miles, champions of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow — delivering world-class care to those who need it most and taking their passion to the streets at Ottawa Race Weekend. Join us!
