Unity Health Toronto

Yesterday, we were pleased to welcome Andre Tremblay, Interim Chair & CEO of Alberta Health Services, and Michael Suddes, Senior Program Director, System Strategy and Clinical Excellence at Alberta Health Services, to St. Michael’s Hospital.

During their visit, they toured our newly expanded Slaight Family Emergency Department and saw firsthand how the enhanced ambulatory area is designed to support more efficient operations and improve patient flow. The visit concluded with a conversation with Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto.

Thank you to our Unity Health teams for sharing their outstanding work, and to our Alberta Health Services colleagues for taking part in this meaningful exchange.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Unity Health kicked off Pride Month this week with our Paint with Pride event at Providence Healthcare.

This welcoming, creative gathering brought colleagues together to celebrate Pride through art,
connection and community. Colleagues took part in a guided painting experience led by Art Facilitator Vibeke Silverthorne, in an inclusive and supportive space where everyone could express themselves freely.

Thank you to the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability for planning this meaningful event.

Stay tuned for more Pride Month events throughout June. Happy Pride Month! 🌈

Unity Health is pleased to announce Dr. Alun Ackery as our new Vice President, Chief Medical Officer.

A highly accomplished emergency physician, educator, and health system leader, Dr. Ackery brings with him extensive experience in advancing clinical excellence, digital innovation, and patient-centred care. He is a recognized leader in trauma and emergency medicine and his work reflects a deep commitment to improving access, quality, and outcomes for patients.

Dr. Ackery brings a wealth of leadership experience from St. Michael's Hospital and Unity Health Toronto, where he served as Deputy Head of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director of Information and Technology.

In this new role, Dr. Ackery will serve as the organization’s senior medical leader, advancing physician engagement, clinical excellence, quality and patient safety, and medical affairs.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ackery on this new role.

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/alun-ackery-new-vice-president-chief-medical-officer-unity-health/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260604-ackery-VP-CMO

Proud moment! 👏👏👏 The VITAL health data platform, based at St. Michael’s Hospital, is part of Canada’s new federal AI Strategy announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday. 🇨🇦

$100 million in funding will help VITAL deliver near-real-time health data from hospitals across Canada. This brings the total investment in VITAL to over $210 million in federal, provincial and institutional funding – a landmark investment in health care innovation.

Founded by St. Michael's Hospital physicians Amol Verma and Fahad Razak, VITAL breaks down the silos of our current system and allows scientists and innovators to harness Canada’s rich pool of health data to develop scalable AI tools, expand Canada’s capabilities for research and clinical trials, and provide important insights to fortify the Canadian health care system.

The platform will begin with 160 hospitals in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec with plans to expand to other jurisdictions. This will make it one of the most valuable health data resources in the world.

Learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/vital-health-data-platform-ai-for-all?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260604-VITAL

Canadian Armed Forces surgeons from across Canada recently joined Unity Health Toronto surgeons for a hands-on surgical skills bootcamp, an in-depth training designed to prepare military doctors for complex emergency scenarios. Participants practiced trauma, vascular, and neurosurgical techniques they may encounter in combat or other emergency settings, with the goal of strengthening skills that matter in both military and civilian contexts and fostering collaboration between the two systems.

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/bootcamp-trains-military-doctors-in-surgical-specialties/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260603-surgical-bootcamp_

A national health data platform founded by two Unity Health Toronto physicians is a key pillar in Canada's new federal AI Strategy.

The federal government’s AI strategy will include around $100-million in funding to expand the program called Vital — a health data platform led by Drs. Amol Verma and Fahad Razak and currently run out of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto — across the country.

The program will be deployed across 160 hospitals through Ontario, Alberta and Quebec and then rolled out across more provinces. The platform will foster greater integration across Canada’s single payer system, enabling scientists and innovators to harness Canada’s rich health data to develop scalable AI tools and expand research and clinical trial capabilities.

It will also help to generate insights that strengthen the Canadian health care system while improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, and freeing up hospital beds.

The Globe and Mail reports: “Harnessing all that Canadian data would create one of the world’s best health datasets, Vital’s co-leads argue, as it would draw from 41 million people across diverse backgrounds in single-payer systems. That in turn could spur Canadian-based ventures to build solutions to improve the health system.”

Read more in The Globe and Mail:

Canada’s AI strategy to fund national health data project to improve care, investment, minister says Funding for Vital program, borne from successful Gemini initiative, aims to improve quality of data available to researchers

𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨, 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡.

Today marks the beginning of Pride Month — a time to celebrate the talent and contributions of the 2S/LGBTQ+ communities. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the discrimination against 2S/LGBTQ+ people and recommit ourselves to actions to improve the experiences of 2S/LGBTQ+ patients, families, staff, physicians, learners and volunteers.

During this month, we reflect with honesty, not only on what we’ve achieved, but on where we need to do better. Pride is a celebration, a call to action, and a reminder that progress takes continuous effort.

Read Altaf’s full message to learn more about the steps Unity Health has taken over the past year to further strengthen Unity’s commitment to 2S/LGBTQ+ equity, inclusion and compassionate care for all: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/building-environment-of-equity-and-inclusion-for-2s-lgbtq-people/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260601-equity-inclusion-2S/LGBTQ+

Every month, staff, researchers, physicians, learners and teams across Unity Health Toronto celebrate important honours, achievements and awards. Congratulations to all who’ve been recognized in May!

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/may-2026-honour-roll/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260529-honour-roll

St. Michael’s Hospital has officially opened its new and expanded Slaight Family Emergency Department — now spanning nearly an entire city block and among the largest and busiest emergency departments in Toronto.

The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, joined the team to celebrate the grand opening yesterday. Built with equity, safety, and community needs in mind, the redesigned space optimizes layout, enhances privacy, and improves patient flow — helping create a smoother and more welcoming experience for all.

“We want to do everything we can to ensure our patients’ experiences are as smooth and welcoming as possible, and this new space makes that easier for everyone,” said Dr. Steve Lin, Chief of Emergency Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital.

This milestone reflects the power of partnership — bringing together hospitals, frontline teams, government, and generous donors to advance more compassionate care and better outcomes for patients.

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/st-michaels-newly-expanded-slaight-family-emergency-department/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260529-smh-ed-opening

A new photo exhibit titled Within the Highs and Lows: Young and Type 1, offers a powerful glimpse into the daily realities of young adults navigating life with a chronic condition — from the excitement of independence to the constant, often invisible demands of managing their health.

These are a few of the images – along with a quote from each photographer – that will be on display as part of the exhibit.
Co-led by researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital and young adults living with type 1 diabetes, the exhibit features more than 30 intimate, raw, and deeply personal images captured by the participants themselves. Together, they tell stories of vulnerability and resilience that define life with this condition.

📍 Arta Gallery, 14 Distillery Lane, Distillery District, Toronto
📅 May 29–31

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/photo-exhibit-type-1-diabetes-in-young-adulthood/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260527-photo-exhibit-diabetes

Research at Unity Health Toronto is pushing the boundaries of what's possible. And it starts with our graduate trainees – the Master’s and PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows – poised to solve healthcare’s most pressing challenges.

Yesterday, the Research Training Centre's Research Day 2026 brought together over 170 of them, alongside judges, speakers, and supporters, at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute for a full day of scientific exchange and celebration that put their work front and centre.

Dr. Ori Rotstein, Vice President of Research and Innovation, opened the day with remarks on the significance of the Indigenous Health Research Stream, which launched this spring — a meaningful step in our commitment to equity and inclusion in research.

The keynote address from Dr. Kamran Khan, scientist, infectious disease physician, and founder and CEO of BlueDot, set an inspiring tone, drawing on his own journey to impart wisdom on innovation, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to turn bold ideas into real change.

Throughout the day, trainees showcased their research through oral and poster presentations, culminating in recognition of the outstanding work across our training programs with 6 oral competition awards and 6 poster competition awards.

Thank you to our judges, session chairs, speakers, volunteers, and everyone who made Research Day 2026 possible.

Meet the winners of the 2026 St. Joseph’s Our Shared Values Awards.

From compassion and inclusivity to excellence and sustainability, these incredible individuals and teams go above and beyond to bring Unity Health’s values to life every day. Congratulations to all our award recipients, we’re proud to celebrate your impact and dedication.

Click here to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/st-josephs-our-shared-values-award-winners-2026/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260514-sjhc-osv

Unity Health and Sinai Health are partnering to bring a new era of connected care to Toronto, through the implementation of Sinai Health’s new Epic electronic patient record (EPR) system. Guided by Unity Health’s award-winning Epic implementation, this partnership will give patients and care teams more seamless access to health information across organizations.

Read the full story: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/unity-health-toronto-partners-with-sinai-health-to-support-their-epic-electronic-patient-record-system-implementation/

Throughout Nursing Week, we’ve been recognizing the dedication, compassion, and expertise of our nursing team. Across all our sites, staff came together to honour the vital role nurses play in delivering high-quality care and supporting patients, families, and colleagues.

We celebrated our nurses with a variety of events throughout the week, including award ceremonies, a door-decorating contest, senior leaders shadowing nursing teams, and engaging webinars.

Thank you to the incredible nurses who make Unity Health Toronto so special. Swipe through to see photos from our Nursing Week events, initiatives, and activities!

As Toronto heads into the long weekend, we’re hoping everyone enjoys the sunshine (finally!) – and celebrates safely. ☀️🚤🍔🏖️

There can be a downside to these warmer months: elite trauma teams like the one at St. Michael’s tend to see a surge of patients between May and October.

Read more about our Level 1 Trauma Centre, and look out for one another, Toronto!
https://unityhealth.to/2024/06/inside-one-of-canadas-top-trauma-hospitals/

Unity Health Toronto is proud to collaborate with Smilezone Foundation and the Slaight Family Foundation to unveil four newly transformed Smilezone spaces at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. These refreshed environments are located across key areas of the Pediatric Department, including treatment rooms and a playroom.

Thoughtfully designed to support emotional well-being, the Smilezones help reduce anxiety and create a more welcoming, comforting care experience for children and families during hospital visits. The spaces are enhanced with artwork inspired by nearby High Park, including depictions of Grenadier Pond and the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground, bringing familiar, local imagery into the care environment to foster comfort and connection.

The unveiling event featured remarks from Jackie Haynes, Executive Director of Smilezone Foundation, Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, Chief of Pediatrics at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, and Laura Macleod, Clinical Operations Lead, Just for Kids Clinic, highlighting the meaningful impact of these spaces on patient experience.

This initiative reflects the strength of our partnerships and a shared commitment to compassionate, patient-centred care, demonstrating how purpose-driven collaboration can enhance healing environments and improve the patient experience in our community.

At Unity Health, we’re celebrating National Nursing Week! Today we're proud to shine a light on a creative and compassionate nurse educator who is mentoring nurses across our network.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐒𝐡𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐉𝐞𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧, 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫

A dozen nurses crowd around a long table as nurse educator Shyalini Jeevakaran walks them through the step-by-step process of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD)—a treatment for people experiencing kidney failure. A chorus of electronic beeps fills the room as students enter treatment parameters into the machines before them.

"My journey into nursing started from a place of wanting to make a difference in the lives of others,” says Jeevakaran who began her nursing career more than two decades ago. “Moments at the bedside were eye-opening; I saw the impact a compassionate nurse could have during the most vulnerable times in someone’s life.”

Part of her work always involved teaching and mentoring others. Eventually her love for this work led her toward a career in education.

“Transitioning into nursing education felt like a natural next step for me,” said Jeevakaran. “I realized I could inspire and mentor current and future nurses, instilling in them the same passion for patient care that I had developed.”

“As an educator, I gain new insights with each lesson I teach; it's truly a journey of teaching and learning”

However, sharing knowledge and helping patients aren’t her only passions. Painting had always been a part of Jeevakaran’s life, but when she and her husband had their two children, art took a backseat to a busy family life.

Two years ago, she felt drawn back to her art and decided to pick up her paints and brushes again.

“For me, painting isn't just a hobby; it's also a vital form of self-care,” says Jeevakaran who on her weekends is known to retreat to her basement studio for 10-hour marathon painting sessions.

“When I paint, I can completely immerse myself in the experience. It's just me, my colours, music, and the canvas. Nothing else occupies my mind.”

“It’s incredibly relaxing and rejuvenates me, allowing me to manage the emotional demands of my work better.”

Helping to train nurses at St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Providence Healthcare as well at the Kidney Care Centre, Satellite Dialysis Centre in East York, Jeevakaran finds her role rewarding knowing her work has a direct impact on both patient care and nursing practice.

When it comes to balancing busy work and personal life, Jeevakaran has some great advice for her fellow nurses.

“It's so important to find a self-care activity that truly brings us joy,” says Jeevakaran. “Whether it’s painting, walking, reading, praying or simply cooking a nice meal, these moments help restore our energy and uplift our spirits.”

“When we take care of ourselves, we’re better equipped to tackle the challenges of the day with a positive mindset.”



Click the link to read the full story: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/caring-hearts-leading-minds-shyalini-jeevakaran/?

This week, Unity Health Toronto welcomed Dr. Paul Hébert, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), for an exchange of ideas with members of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network Research Committee (TAHSN-R), followed by presentations from Unity Health scientists.

The fireside chat brought together scientists, trainees and research staff for an engaging discussion on the future of health research in Canada, CIHR’s strategic direction, and the evolving funding landscape. Dr. Ori Rotstein, Vice President of Research and Innovation, and Altaf Stationwala, President and Chief Executive Officer, joined the audience and shared an enriching exchange of ideas with Dr. Hébert and fellow attendees after the event.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this such an inspiring day!

A new national initiative is transforming how HIV and STBBI testing is delivered across Canada.

Rapid Testing and Linkage to Care (Rapid TLC), led by REACH Nexus at St. Michael’s Hospital’s MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, is bringing same-day testing, results, and care directly into communities that need it most.

By using portable GeneXpert® systems – machines roughly the size of a printer - they deliver lab-quality results in under 90 minutes, eliminating long wait times and helping people access care immediately.

This initiative is especially critical as HIV and STBBI rates continue to rise, disproportionately impacting First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black communities, and people who use substances. By reducing barriers like travel, stigma, and delayed results, Rapid TLC is ensuring more people can access timely, culturally safe care.

“This is about turning a moment of testing into a moment of action,” said Dr. Sean B. Rourke, director of REACH Nexus at St. Michael’s Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto

Read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/rapid-tlc-same-day-hiv-stbbi-testing/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260507-rapid-TLC

Unity Health Toronto is honoured to recognize the Our Kids Health (OKH) Team led by Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, Developmental Paediatrician with our Women’s and Children’s Health Program, as the recipients of the 2026 Pain Awareness Award.

This award celebrates Dr. Minhas’ leadership of OKH, a free, culturally congruent parent support resource delivered through social media and co-designed with communities. OKH offers evidence-based, multilingual pediatric health information across 10+groups to support BIPOC and newcomer families and combat health misinformation.

In partnership with Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), OKH co-created the Pain Hub, an accessible collection of resources to help children, youth, and families better understand and manage everyday pain, including menstrual pain, vaccine-related pain and chronic pain.

With more than 2.3million people reached, this work is helping reduce stigma, spark conversation, and empower families with practical, culturally relevant information. This recognition reflects the power of collaboration, community partnership and storytelling grounded in evidence.

https://kidsinpain.ca/our-kids-health/

A St. Michael’s Hospital team performed a first-in-Canada minimally invasive brain surgery using an eShunt® Implant. The implant is a treatment option for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a condition that affects more than 1 in 200 adults over the age of 65 and causes difficulties with balance, bladder control, thinking and memory.

Read the full story to see how innovation is transforming care: https://unityhealth.to/2026/05/first-in-canada-minimally-invasive-neurovascular-procedure/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260504-eShunt

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬’ 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

Today we thank the more than 1,500 physicians at Unity Health Toronto whose expertise and compassion supports patients, residents, families and clients across every stage of their care journey — from pediatric and primary care to urgent, acute and specialized services, rehabilitation, long term care and palliative care.

This past year, Unity Health physicians made incredible contributions to research, education and innovation, helping Unity Health launch new programs, develop new spaces, uncover new treatments, deploy new digital tools and technologies, and train the next generation of medical professionals.

The commitment of physicians to delivering high quality, patient centred and evidence based care makes a meaningful difference every day.

Every month, staff, researchers, physicians, learners and teams across Unity Health Toronto celebrate important honours, achievements and awards. Congratulations to all who’ve been recognized in April!

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/04/april-2026-honour-roll/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260430-honour-roll

Unity Health recently held it’s first Quality Improvement Symposium, bringing together staff, physicians, leaders and community supporters to celebrate how quality improvement strengthens patient care. Hosted by the Barrett Centre for Quality Improvement (BCQI) at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, the event highlighted how building QI skills, leadership and collaboration leads to better patient outcomes and better patient and provider experiences.

Thanks to the generous support of the Barrett Family Foundation, BCQI is expanding our capacity for meaningful, frontline‑led improvement. Together, we’re building a culture of continuous improvement where better care is always evolving.