DURHAM REGION – Lakeridge Health staff, physicians, and community members gathered at the Whitby Hospital last night to celebrate the 2022/2023 fiscal year and the many exceptional partnerships that contributed to the organization’s success.
“Over the last year, even in the face of adversity, Lakeridge Health harnessed the power of partnerships to fuel progress, innovation, and success,” said Cordelia Clarke Julien, Chair, Board of Trustees, Lakeridge Health. “I am confident that through our collective drive and determination, we will continue to deliver the best care and person-centred experience to the residents of Durham Region.”
“I am so proud of everything our teams have achieved this year,” said Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “We have so much to celebrate and look forward to as we continue to push the boundaries of our vision, One System. Best Health. We are creating connections and developing collaborations to link together the services and supports that people need within and beyond the walls of our facilities; and we continue to drive innovation forward.”
Lakeridge Health’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Randy Wax, also noted that “looking back, this past year presented many challenges, including increased patient volumes amidst acute staff shortages. Despite this reality, our teams continued to deliver the highest quality of care. Their dedication, commitment, and compassion has been admirable. I am also proud of our community and our partners for stepping forward and supporting Lakeridge Health.”
A few of the notable accomplishments in 2022/2023 include:
• The mobilization of a Regional Response Team during the pandemic with the Durham Ontario Health Team, primary care, public health, paramedicine, and community care partners. Together, the group launched a regional network of Cold, Flu, and COVID-19 Care Clinics, a COVID-19 Therapeutic Clinic, a Virtual Urgent Care Clinic, and coordinated rapid vaccine rollouts.
• The launch of the multi-year mental health and substance use strategy, Together, Best Mental Health, which sets a course for an integrated system of mental health and substance use care throughout Durham Region.
• Advancing our inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and anti-racism (IDEAA) efforts, including continuing to build IDEAA capabilities across our Board of Trustees, leaders, and team members through mutual learning, inclusive leadership training, and team-focused education, as well as developing an IDEAA Multi-Year Action Plan.
• A new Emergency Department (ED) Patient Passport and the launch of a personalized predicted wait time range for people arriving at any Lakeridge Health ED.
• The development of the first-of-its-kind in Canada Queen’s-Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine program, which will see the first cohort of students in September 2023. This integrated program will graduate 20 new primary care/family doctors within six years and then each year thereafter.
The AGM was also a time to thank departing Board members Sharon Cochran, (former Board Chair), Jeff Somerville, and Ben Gray. Lakeridge Health also welcomed new Board members, including Shashi Bhatia, Thushyan Kayilas, Duncan Mathieson, and Dr. Steven Murphy.
Learn more about Lakeridge Health’s Board members on our website.
In addition, Lakeridge Health Whitby Hospital Volunteer Services was celebrated as the recipient of the 2022/2023 Local Health Care Hero Award. On July 28, 2022, the group celebrated 50 years of dedication and service to the Whitby Hospital. They made their last donation of more than $54,000 to the Lakeridge Health Foundation in July 2022, which will help fund a mobile portable X-ray unit at the Whitby Hospital. Over the last 50 years, Whitby Hospital Volunteer Services has donated more than $700,000.
“On behalf of Lakeridge Health, I applaud, congratulate, and thank each and every member of Whitby Hospital Volunteer Services for their collective 50 years of service,” said Cynthia. “Lakeridge Health has been incredibly fortunate to have this tremendous team of volunteers who have made a significant difference in patients’ lives. We will sincerely miss this group of dedicated, compassionate, and committed individuals. Their steadfast support of the Whitby Hospital is a shining example of their devotion to patient care and a person-centred experience.”
Introduced in 2017/2018, the Local Health Care Hero Award recognizes individuals or groups of individuals, who are dedicated and committed to supporting, promoting, and raising awareness of the health-care needs of the communities served. This special award promotes the organization’s vision of a strong and integrated health system – One System. Best Health. and supports our mission to empower people to live their best health.
View our Year in Review video on the Lakeridge Health YouTube channel.
About Lakeridge Health
With five hospitals, four emergency departments, three critical care units, a long-term care home, a full range of medical and surgical specialties, more than 20 community health-care locations and a state-of-the-art surgical centre within the soon-to-open Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre, Lakeridge Health offers some of the broadest and most comprehensive acute care, ambulatory care, and long-term care services in Ontario.
Lakeridge Health is also home to several regional specialty centres and services, including the Central East Regional Cancer Program, R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, The Shoulder Centre, and eye care and chronic kidney disease services. Additionally, we are proud to serve our community with a full suite of inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based mental health and addictions services, and provide safe, high-quality, compassionate care in our state-of-the-art long-term care home, Lakeridge Gardens.
Guided by our vision of One System. Best Health. and supported by a dedicated team of more than 8,700 staff, physicians, and volunteers, Lakeridge Health is working in collaboration with its Durham Ontario Health Team, primary care, and community and government partners to foster a truly integrated, regional system of care. Together, we are focused on empowering people to live their best health and fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable environment for all.
For information contact:
Sharon Navarro
Manager, Public Relations and Digital Communications
Lakeridge Health
905-453-7889
snavarro@lh.ca
