As we near the end of another year, we reflect on some of the triumphs and challenges and look forward to 2023 with pride for all that has been accomplished.
- Celebrated one year as a two-hospital organization
Monday, June 6, 2022 marked one year since Mackenzie Health made history by opening Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and becoming a two-hospital organization. At a special event, Mackenzie Health leadership celebrated this milestone with government and community partners in the Giovanni DeGasperis ¨ Eugene Kohn Learning Centre at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. Opening our second hospital was a remarkable feat and we couldn’t have done it without the support and hard work of so many people, including our community. See how we celebrated the hard work of our staff, physicians and volunteers in the year since we became two hospitals in this special recap.
- Began refresh of Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
The first phase of the work to revitalize Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital began earlier this year. The work in A-wing, which is home to our Complex Continuing Care and Palliative Care programs, includes replacing floors, ceiling tiles, doors and furniture, adding new sinks and countertops in inpatient washrooms, upgrading handrails and installing new nursing stations. Creating a more inspiring environment for everyone within our hospital’s walls will help us as we continue to meet the health care needs of our community, closer to home.
- Announced an expansion of access to long-term care in our community
In April, Mackenzie Health leadership joined representatives from the provincial and municipal governments to announce an allocation of 256 beds for a Mackenzie Health long-term care home as part of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. The announcement was a first step towards achieving a more integrated approach to seniors care and creating a centre of health care excellence in Vaughan anchored by Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. For more than 20 years, we’ve had oversight of the long-term care home at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital which cares for residents with complex care needs. We’ve seen how well an integrated model can work in Richmond Hill and we’re excited to be able to develop an integrated model in Vaughan.
- Commemorated sixty years of service by the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association
Since its inception in 1962, members of the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association have shown time and again what it means to be dedicated, selfless, compassionate and service-focused. This year, we celebrated their sixty years of service! We are beyond proud of those who choose to volunteer their time and their talents to support our staff, patients and visitors and ensure our hospitals are welcoming places for all. Watch our celebration of the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association.
- Launched our new strategic plan
In June, we launched Mackenzie Health’s three-year strategic plan – Trusted team. Compassionate care. – our first strategic plan as a two-hospital organization. This plan is our pledge to each other and to our communities to provide highly reliable, safe care to every patient who comes to Mackenzie Health.
The plan is the culmination of much feedback, delivered by many voices. Throughout the strategic planning process, themes emerged that framed our four priority areas – Patient Care Excellence, People are our Strength, Growing with our Communities and Integrated Care. With support from the community, and the commitment and dedication of our staff, physicians and volunteers, we are confident we will successfully achieve our priorities and deliver on our strategic plan.
- Continued to support our community through a respiratory illness triple threat
Emergency Departments across Ontario have been experiencing significant pressures, and this year, we’ve had to face a triple threat of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the flu. To help address the challenges we’re facing, we opened a Cough, Cold and Flu Assessment Centre at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and increased the number of beds we have available in our pediatric inpatient unit. Our Chief of Pediatrics, Dr. Scerbo, recently shared some tips for parents with an update around how we’re supporting our littlest patients at Mackenzie Health.
- Engaged with more than 12,000 residents during our annual telephone town hall
Residents of King, Vaughan and Richmond Hill had an opportunity to receive updates from us first hand during our annual telephone town hall on Dec. 7. More than 12,000 members of our community joined to have a two-way conversation about what matters most to them about health care. They heard updates from Mackenzie Health leadership about hospital operations, opportunities for future growth and how we’re supporting residents across western York Region. If you missed the telephone town hall live, listen to a recording on our YouTube channel.
- Provided compassionate patient-centred care to our community
At Mackenzie Health, we have two full-service emergency departments with specialists and sub-specialists at both hospitals. No matter where you go, you’ll have access to a team of expert physicians at both hospital sites and receive the care you need where and when you need it. Patients who are fighting cancer like Felicia, those managing diabetes like Austin and stroke survivors like Wendo have shared their experiences about the care they received from our Mackenzie Health staff and physicians. To read more, please visit the Patient Stories page on our website.
- Recognized for our achievements
This year, the team at Mackenzie Health was recognized for a number of incredible achievements. Notably, this month, Accreditation Canada awarded Mackenzie Health Accreditation with Exemplary Standing under the sequential Accreditation program. This recognition is a testament to the incredible team of staff and physicians at Mackenzie Health and their commitment to delivering safe, quality, patient-centred care to our community.
Mackenzie Health has been recognized for the third time by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives for its adoption and integration of smart technology and the positive impact it has on patient care. The 2022 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition is awarded to health care organizations around the world. This year, Mackenzie Health again earned a level 7 achievement for the acute survey selection and is the only Canadian acute hospital to be recognized this year. At Mackenzie Health, smart technology has essentially become a member of the care team, aiming to improve the patient and health care provider experience – giving patients more control over their health care journey and enabling the health care team to spend more time caring for their patients.
- Achieved our $250-million Ultimate campaign milestone
On June 1, we achieved our $250-million Ultimate campaign milestone, historically the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by a community hospital in Canada. Years of community generosity from more than 15,000 donors helped us make history. This achievement is just the beginning. We’ll continue to rally our community to support continued fundraising efforts to ensure a steady flow of resources to attract the very best talent, advance excellence in our programs and services, and secure the latest equipment and technology as we focus on providing the best possible health care experience for every patient.
To read more about our many achievements throughout 2022, visit our news page.
From all of us at Mackenzie Health, we wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy new year