Building trust through ethics
As an Ethicist at Oak Valley Health, Zachary Walbaum plays a key role in helping staff, patients, and their loved ones navigate complex ethical questions that arise in health care.
Based within the Professional Practice department at Markham Stouffville Hospital, Zachary serves as a trusted resource for all of Oak Valley Health — offering alternative perspectives, reviewing options, and supporting staff, patients, and their loved ones in developing sound, morally grounded decisions.
In addition to providing consultations, Zachary contributes to the organization in several ways: as an educator helping to build ethics capacity across teams; as a policymaker who develops and refines policies; and as a researcher advancing the broader field of bioethics through scholarly contributions.
Having joined Oak Valley Health in May 2025, Zachary has found the collaborative spirit of his colleagues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.
“My colleagues and the staff have been great to collaborate and work with on a daily basis,” says Zachary.
When asked which Oak Valley Health value resonates most with him, Zachary highlights trust.
“It takes into context the personal accountability of being trustworthy — by being reliable and showing integrity,” says Zachary. “Trust also requires communication and incorporates other values like respect, commitment, compassion, and courage. They’re all interwoven.”
Outside of work, Zachary enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors — playing soccer, camping, and hiking — as well as relaxing by watching sports and movies. He also cherishes time with his family and his two very different cats, Brioche and Eggnog Sticky Paws.
Oak Valley Health is proud to have Zachary on the team, bringing thoughtfulness, integrity, and collaboration to the important work of health care ethics.
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