One Million Square Feet of Care

In March, 2013, the opening of the St. Catharines Site ushered in a new standard of hospital care in Niagara. 

New and enhanced regional programs were introduced in St. Catharines and at our sites across the region, including cancer care, cardiac care, mental health and addictions, women’s and babies’ care, stroke care and ophthalmology.

Many remarkable successes have taken place since the St. Catharines Site opened five years ago.  Thousands of cancer, heart and mental health patients who would have had to travel to Hamilton or beyond can now access vital healthcare services right here in Niagara.  

Niagara Health is excited about creating an environment that will bring out the best in our people and enable them to bring their best to work. Developing our people and creating engaged teams will help us to create a work culture that is positive and respectful, where everyone has a vital role to play.

Celebrating one million ways we are providing care closer to home 

It was a celebration worthy of the successes our teams have achieved since the St. Catharines Site hospital opened five years ago.

Patients – both past and present - visitors, local dignitaries and Niagara Health staff gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the fifth birthday of the site by highlighting the care thousands of people in Niagara have received closer to home.

Even Alexzander Carriere, the first baby born in the hospital six hours after it opened, joined us to celebrate his fifth birthday. Everyone who attended sang Zander (as his family calls him) Happy Birthday, before he was given a special birthday gift – giant toy construction vehicles – from the physician who delivered him, Dr. Johan Viljoen, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Deputy Chief of Staff.

“I was the first guy who got to see those chubby cheeks,” Dr. Viljoen said.

Zander said he felt special today “because I was the first baby born!” he exclaimed. He said receiving so much attention made him feel like Batman, his favorite superhero. “We’re just so happy to be here, celebrating five years with the hospital and five years with Zander,” said Ashley McDermott, Zander’s mom, who has three other children, two of which were also born at the St. Catharines Site.

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