Unity Health Toronto

St. Joseph’s is expanding its orthopedic surgery program with the addition of the Zimmer Biomet ROSA® Knee System, bringing robotic-assisted precision to total knee replacement surgery.

Recently, staff had the opportunity to learn more about this innovative technology during an informal drop-in session hosted by Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Amit Anand. The session highlighted how the ROSA system uses real-time data and guidance to support surgical precision, enhance patient outcomes, and enable more personalized care for every patient.

We are proud to bring this leading-edge technology to St. Joseph’s as we continue to advance high-quality, patient-centred care for the community.

Has someone at Providence Healthcare made a difficult time a little easier? Now is your chance to say thank you. ✨

Patients, residents, families and caregivers can nominate a team or individual for the Providence Gratitude Award.

This award recognizes an outstanding team or individual for making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and residents. Every nomination is reviewed by a panel of Patient and Family Partners, and the recipient will be honoured at our awards celebration on Sept. 17, 2026.

💫 Submit your nomination today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/gratitude2026

Yesterday, we were pleased to welcome Nolan Quinn, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, alongside Michelle Cooper, MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence, and Mohamed Firin, MPP for York South–Weston, to St. Michael’s Hospital.

During their visit, they learned how leading health data platforms like VITAL and GEMINI, together with AI-enabled tools including CHARTWatch and AIM for Delirium, are helping clinicians deliver safer, more proactive and patient-centred care.

Thank you for the opportunity to showcase how our teams are accelerating the future of health care in Ontario through groundbreaking innovation, leading-edge research, and powerful collaborations that are driving meaningful impact.

A new study from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN), a research group at St. Michael's Hospital, found that construction and trades workers accounted for approximately one-third of opioid toxicity deaths in Ontario where occupation was known between 2018 and 2024.

As senior author of the report, Tara Gomes, a scientist at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solution and Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto notes, "Our findings show that opioid-related deaths are not affecting all workers equally," underscoring the need for programs and services that are tailored to the diverse needs of people at risk of opioid-related harm.

Click the link to read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/opioid-toxicity-deaths-highest-among-construction-and-trades-workers-study-finds/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260723-opioid-construction

One year ago, an $11 million donation from the Krawczyk Family Foundation made the opening of the Indigenous Wellness Centre possible at St. Michael's Hospital – a dedicated space where Indigenous patients can access culturally informed care and begin to build trust with a system that has historically failed them.

Located near the Emergency Department, the space serves First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients across all departments, with the team providing wellness navigation, connection to ceremony, discharge planning and home readiness support – working to ensure that when patients leave, they return to safe, healthy environments.

"It's a welcoming space where our community members know they can come by and pop in," says Roberta Pike, Director of Indigenous Wellness, Reconciliation and Partnerships. "That didn't exist before."

Roberta shares what's next, and the future she's building toward: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/inside-unity-healths-first-indigenous-wellness-centre/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260722-indigenous-wellness

Unity Health Toronto and and District Hospital/L'Hôpital de Timmins et du district will begin testing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool called ASIST-TBI at the Timmins, Ontario hospital. Originated at Unity Health’s St. Michael’s Hospital, ASIST-TBI predicts when patients who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are going to need neurosurgery to help prioritize urgent cases.

Timmins and District Hospital is the first hospital to enrol in a study that aims to test and validate ASIST-TBI at 18 Ontario hospitals, with the goal of making the AI tool available to emergency physicians in real-time. The successful adoption of the AI tool could help to manage and conserve two critical resources throughout Ontario: emergency transport and neurosurgical expertise.

Read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/timmins-and-district-hospital-with-unity-health-on-ai-tool-that-predicts-need-for-neurosurgery/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260720-ASIST-TBI

For decades, multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses rested on patient symptoms and neurological exams. As scientific tools have advanced, diagnosis increasingly relies on biological markers. With measurable signs of the disease detected through imaging and lab tests, MS can be detected earlier than ever before.

In 2024, the international guidelines for MS diagnosis, called the McDonald criteria, went through their most significant overhaul in a decade to reflect those shifts. Dr. Jiwon Oh, Director of the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael's Hospital, was among the experts who helped to write them.

Now, in a commentary published in Nature Medicine, Dr. Oh has brought together nearly 30 of the world's leading MS clinicians to critically evaluate what those changes mean and where the field must go next.

We sat down with Dr. Oh to understand how MS diagnosis has advanced, the challenges that come with that progress, and the work still ahead.

Read the story: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/st-michaels-researcher-charts-future-of-multiple-sclerosis-diagnosis/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260716-MS-diagnosis

As wildfire smoke once again affects air quality across Ontario, health experts are encouraging Canadians to pay attention to more than just the weather forecast.

While smoky skies can be an obvious warning sign, some of the most harmful pollutants are invisible. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, affecting more than just respiratory health.

According to Dr. Samir Gupta, a respirologist and clinician scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto, poor air quality can increase the risk of flare-ups for people living with asthma, COPD, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Before heading outside, check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and adjust your activities if needed. Knowing the air quality can help you make informed decisions and reduce your exposure to harmful pollutants.

Learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/hidden-health-threats-in-wildfire-smoke/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2607016-hidden-threats-wildfire

The Feed with Dr. G

Stepping into a caregiver role can happen overnight – and many families aren’t prepared for how much it can change their lives.

A recent Unity Health study explores the emotional and physical demands caregivers face, from managing care to supporting a loved one through a loss of independence.

Based on interviews with family caregivers, researchers highlight the pressure many feel to stay strong without asking for help.

By sharing these experiences, the study calls for greater understanding and support for the central role caregivers have in providing care.

Read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/study-at-providence-explores-emotional-burden-of-being-family-caregiver/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260709-providence-caregiver

Earlier this week we welcomed University of Toronto President Melanie Woodin and other leaders including Leah Cowen, VP Research & Innovation and Strategic Initiatives; Lisa Robinson, Dean of Medicine; and Timothy Chan, Associate VP, Strategic Initiatives to St. Michael’s Hospital to learn more about the pioneering work Drs. Amol Verma and Fahad Razak are leading to leverage health data on a national scale for technological advancement and discovery.

The tour included an overview of the Vital health data platform, highlighting how it will enable more research, quality improvement and digital innovation across Canada. It also showcased two cutting-edge predictive AI tools:

✅ CHARTWatch identifies patients at risk of deterioration, helping care teams intervene earlier and save lives

✅ AI Models (AIM) to Prevent Delirium identifies patients most likely to develop delirium, helping teams focus prevention strategies where they are needed most

The visit underscored the power of collaboration between academic medicine and healthcare to improve outcomes for patients and communities.

New research from St. Michael's Hospital offers strong evidence that a simple anesthesia technique could change how pain is managed after open-heart surgery and reduce the risk of long-term opioid dependence.

In the EPOCH-CardioLink-10 trial, co-chaired by Drs. Subodh Verma and David Mazer and led by principal investigator Dr. Ahmad Alli, patients who received nerve blocks (which numb targeted areas of the body) used significantly less opioid medication in the critical first three days after cardiac surgery. They were also nearly half as likely to need very high doses.

Amid an ongoing opioid crisis, findings like these matter. One in ten patients can develop persistent opioid use after cardiac surgery, according to a U.S. study published in JAMA Cardiology. By cutting opioid use early in recovery, this large randomized trial, conducted across four Canadian provinces, points to a safer path forward.

The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas. Read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/07/clinical-trial-offers-evidence-nerve-blocks-cut-opioid-use-after-cardiac-surgery/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260707-nerve-blocks

Roberta Pike, Director and the team at the Office of Indigenous Wellness, Reconciliation and Partnerships (OIWRP) hosted the Dance for Healing at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital for the second year in a row.

Participants were invited to create their own tobaccos ties and focus their thoughts, prayers, and healing intentions for patients into the bundle. They were then guided through the healing ceremony by Knowledge Carrier EJ Kwandibens, Loon Clan, Northern Woodland Anishiinaabe (Ojibway) of the Waahbiidaahgaah (Whitesand) First Nation.

For those new to Indigenous culture, EJ provided meaningful teachings about the spiritual roots of the Jingle Dress dance and the significance of the ceremony itself as a healing practice.
The team offered participants an opportunity to witness this sacred ceremony of prayer and reflection. At the end of the session, everyone had an opportunity to participate in a round dance.

Take a look at these photos of our team hosting the event at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

To learn more about the Dance For Healing, read last year’s article here: https://unityhealth.to/2025/06/dance-for-healing/

Summer BBQ season is in full swing at Unity Health! 🍔🌭☀️

Rain or shine, our Providence Healthcare teams know how to celebrate as our staff were recently treated to a well-deserved BBQ lunch along with live music! 🎸😎

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's event such a success!

📸 Click the link to see more happy snaps!
https://unityhealth.to/2026-providence-staff-bbq-photo-gallery/

As warmer weather arrives, Unity Health’s Injury Prevention Team is working to help mature Torontonians stay safe on the road. ☀️🚗🗺️

Recently, the team of Occupational Therapist, students and volunteers hosted a CarFit session at Providence Healthcare, where they worked one-on-one with community members to optimize their vehicle setup. From adjusting seat and steering wheel height to fine-tuning mirror placement, these small changes can make a big difference in reducing injury risk and helping drivers stay on the road safely for longer.



Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy

We’re happy to close out Ontario Seniors Month by sharing photos from the live classical music session hosted at our Providence location. 🎻🎶

This month, Unity Health brought beautiful tunes to patients and residents across all three of our locations, filling the sessions with music, connection, and enjoyment.

Music can spark memories, ease anxiety, and support recovery, making it a meaningful part of older adult care and overall well-being.

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 June!

Read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/unity-health-torontos-june-honour-roll/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260630-honour-roll

Unity Health Toronto has launched a new research stream dedicated to supporting a vibrant, connected community of Indigenous researchers.

The Indigenous Health Research Stream – co-led by Indigenous Canada Research Chairs Drs. Mikaela Gabriel and Janet Smylie – is rooted in Indigenous values and principles and grounded in a firm belief that this work deserves to be uplifted, resourced, and reflected across every health discipline.

The aim of this stream is to build a thriving and networked community of Indigenous health researchers across all research pillars at Unity Health Toronto, that is:

✅ Transforming Indigenous clinical care and health outcomes
✅ Partnering in the work with Indigenous community service providers and leaders
✅ Grounded in Indigenous world views and lived realities
✅ Demonstrating interventions that are interrupting anti-Indigenous racism in health services
✅ Addressing gaps in Indigenous health information

Read more here: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/indigenous-health-research-stream/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260626-IHRS

A new Alzheimer's drug raises hard questions. St. Michael's researchers offer a guide.

Canada recently approved lecanemab, the first disease-modifying drug for early Alzheimer’s disease. With few treatments available for the disease, its arrival has been met with hope. But what does it mean for patients and the clinicians caring for them?

In a new article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Sophie Weiss, an internal medicine resident at St. Michael's Hospital and the paper's lead author; and Dr. Sharon Straus, a geriatrician and clinical epidemiologist at St. Michael's Hospital, offer a decision-making tool to help clinicians and patients understand the drug, including its benefits, costs, risks and what's involved in treatment to help make informed choices.

Read more here: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/alzheimers-drug-raises-questions-st-michaels-researchers-offer-guide/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260629-lecanemab

Antimicrobial resistance is making some infections harder to treat, prompting researchers to explore new approaches beyond antibiotics.

At St. Joseph’s Health Centre, a site of Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Gregory German is leading a $25 million international clinical trial studying bacteriophages as a treatment for chronic or recurrent drug-resistant UTIs.

The work was recently highlighted at Phage Therapy: Fresh Science, and Hope for the Future, an event that brought together researchers, clinicians and patients to share progress and perspectives in this emerging field. Unity Health and its experts are excited to be part of this important work.

Read the full article: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/conversation-with-altaf-stationwala/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260626-stationwala

Altaf Stationwala stepped into his role as President and CEO of Unity Health on July 2,2025. As he approaches his one year mark with the organization, we sat down with him to discuss what he’s learned, how his approach to leadership has changed and what success looks like in year two.

"What I didn't fully appreciate until I arrived was the sheer range of services, programs, partnerships and expertise that exist across the organization," says Stationwala. "Almost every week, I learn about an initiative, achievement or area of work that I didn't know about before. It's a reflection of the incredible talent and dedication of our people. It’s an exciting place to be and I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning."

Read the full Q-and-A: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/conversation-with-altaf-stationwala/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260626-stationwala

This week, we launched Vital with Minister Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, at St. Michael’s Hospital. It was an incredible event bringing together nearly 250 leading minds across healthcare, academia, industry, military, government and public sector to explore the future of AI and health data in Canada and mark a new era in innovation and discovery.

From meaningful conversations to AI demonstrations, the day showcased the power of collaboration in shaping a smarter, more connected health system.

Here are a few moments from the day ⬇️
☑️ Welcoming Minister Evan Solomon; Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health; Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry; Helena Jaczek, MP for Markham—Stouffville; Danielle Martin, MP for University-Rosedale, and other distinguished leaders across government and healthcare
☑️ Engaging in an intimate roundtable discussion with Minister Solomon on key issues in health data, such as trust and the future of AI in healthcare
☑️ Touring the ICU to see some of our AI tools in action, including CHARTWatch and AI Models (AIM) to Prevent Delirium
☑️ Hearing from inspiring speakers, including Melanie Woodin, president of the University of Toronto, and Dr. David Naylor, chair of the Vital Strategic Advisory Committee
☑️ Engaging in panel sessions on:
• Accelerating Canadian leadership in research and discovery with health data – moderated by Anderson Chuck, president and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Health Information
• Health data to support responsible economic development and resilience – moderated by Stephen Lucas, CEO of Mitacs

Read more about the day’s events here: https://unityhealth.to/2026/06/healthcare-leaders-across-canada-gather-at-st-michaels-for-launch-of-vital/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260625-vital-launch

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a dynamic and forward-looking conversation.