Our dedication to Delivering Safe and Quality Care has been unwavering. The implementation of inclusive improvements through the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, alongside the work of the Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation team, such as a new smudging policy, robust education and training initiatives, and visual representations throughout our sites, exemplifies our commitment to culturally safe care and creating safe spaces.

Transforming How We Work has indeed been a transformative journey, symbolized by the ground-breaking of the South Niagara Hospital in July 2023. This state-of-the-art facility, along with the Marotta Family Hospital and the planned redevelopment of the Welland Hospital, embodies our vision for a regional model of care that ensures co-ordinated and seamless services across Niagara. We heard the importance of healthcare and the delivery of high-quality services across Niagara while discussing our three-site model.

The imminent launch of our new Health Information System in 2024 marks an important stride towards seamless, technology-driven healthcare delivery across all our sites. Despite global health human resources challenges and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our achievement of Accreditation with Exemplary Standing in 2023 reaffirms our position as a leader in healthcare quality and safety.

In the past year, in partnership with the Niagara Health Foundation, we have been humbled by the incredible generosity of our community and partners. We are deeply grateful for transformational gifts that have propelled our initiatives forward, such as the historic donation from Greg and Diane Slaight. The naming of the Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines was recognition of a generous gift from the Marotta family and the support from the McCall MacBain Foundation led to the creation of the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute, which is already improving access to leading edge care through clinical trials and quality improvement projects.

With the shortage of family physicians in Niagara and across the country, the recent establishment of a Chief of Primary Care role will support more communication and collaboration between the hospital and primary care. It is critical that we lean on one another and work together to repair our healthcare system. We need to create strong partnerships that will lead to better patient experiences, increased safety for patients transitioning from the hospital back to the community and limit the need for patients to return to the hospital for follow-up care.

Our partnerships with academic institutions, such as Brock University, McMaster University, Niagara College and the University of Niagara Falls Canada, have been instrumental in advancing healthcare education, research and workforce development. These important partnerships continue to enrich our training programs and attract top talent to our organization. Additionally, our strategic collaborations with municipal, provincial and federal partners have strengthened our ability to address community health needs and drive positive change.

Looking ahead, it is clear there is a tremendous amount of work to be done. Yet, we cannot do it alone – it requires every member of the community, primary care providers, healthcare, social and academic partners, and each municipality to work together so everyone can access the right care, at the right time and place with appropriately trained and qualified staff and physicians.

Commitment to high-quality patient care remains our core priority. We are dedicated to building on the successes of this past year, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and serving our community with unparalleled care and compassion.

Thank you for contributing to a healthier Niagara.