Hamilton Health Sciences Community Report

A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEADERS

The year 2022-23 was a remarkable period for Hamilton Health Sciences, as we emerged from the challenging COVID-19 pandemic that lasted nearly three years. Our teams demonstrated incredible resilience and determination, achieving significant milestones throughout this time.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to our staff, physicians, volunteers, and all those who contributed to the successes of 2022-23.

David Lazzarato Chair, Board of Directors
Rob MacIsaac, President & CEO

Recognizing Dedication

“We need to remain committed to changing our culture, beyond statements and kind gestures, and really shift to a paradigm of accountability and inclusive excellence at every level of the organization. This is the vision we are working toward – one in which EDI encompasses every role, every team, every corporate function, and every patient who comes to us for care. This work is not the work of one person or one team and I am very grateful to all of the folks who helped to lay the groundwork for the rest of our journey together.”

Rochelle Reid
Senior Lead & Strategic Advisor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

“While the past several years have tested our collective resolve, we are continuing to create an organization that is innovative, sustainable and impactful thanks to everyone at Hamilton Health Sciences. Our staff and physicians are simply the best in their fields. Every day they deliver world-class care and treatment that addresses the physical, mental and social well-being of the diverse patient populations we serve.  We are immensely grateful for their remarkable dedication and the compassion they have for our patients and each other.”

Sharon Pierson
Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Nursing Executive

“Our hospital workforce is made up of everyday superheroes, showing us that unity and kindness can conquer any obstacle. With passion and tireless effort, they care deeply for our communities. To our incredible hospital employees, physicians, volunteers and learners we applaud you with pride for your selfless service and unwavering spirit.”

Aaron Levo
Vice President, People, Culture & Communications

“Our physicians’ and staff’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have continued to propel our hospitals to excellence. Guided by compassion, they have transformed the lives of countless individuals, leaving a distinctive mark on our community. Through their expertise, resilience, and unwavering commitment to patient care, ‘our people’ have not only risen to the challenges we face in the aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic but exceeded all expectations.”

Dr. Khalid Azzam
Physician-in-Chief

REFLECTING ON OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Despite the continuing challenges of COVID-19, high hospital occupancy and staffing changes this past year, we’re proud to have reached many organizational milestones. Drag the timeline or use the arrow to scroll through.

April: Signed the Hamilton Charter for Promoting Gender Equity in Health Care
Read more.
April: Received an investment for redevelopment and expansion of sites
Read more.
April: WLMH groundbreaking
Read more.
May: Volunteers return in person
Read more.
May: Received funding to reduce wait times for same-day surgeries
Read more.
June: EPIC launches
Read more.
June: New first-of-its-kind CT scanner at MUMC
Read more.
June: Received two Sustainability Leadership awards
August: Hamilton pediatric hospice agreement
Read more.
August: Obstetrics returns to WLMH
Read more.
August: 20k patients signed up to MyChart to-date
September: SHF to open 30 new beds
Read more.
September: RJCHC awarded Green Hospital of the Year
Read more.
October: Midwives return to WLMH
Read more.
October: Funding received for studying the impact of the pandemic on children
Read more.
October: Adoption of BoardShift Inclusivity Charter
Read more.
November: EDI Report and recommendations
Read more.
November: Named top regional employer
Read more.
November: 25 years of mental health care at WLMH
Read more.
December: Operating room assistants – a vital new support role
Read more.
January: 50k patients signed up to MyChart to-date
January: Named top employer for young people in Canada
Read more.
February: New midwifery care unit opens
Read more.
February: NICU’s 50th anniversary
Read more.
March: Investment in pilot program for kids with complex special needs
Read more.
April: Received Sustainability Award for Environmental Excellence from Stryker
May: Increased capacity of burn program
Read more.
May: Awarded digital transformation award for Epic launch from IT World Canada
June: Celebrated 1-year of Epic, best-in-class health records system
Read more.
June: Awarded Best Sustainability Report from Sustainability Leadership

INSPIRING STORIES

Our people are at the heart of what we do. Click on each photo to read stories from our HHS community.

TRANSFORMING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

On June 4, 2022, we launched Epic – a modern system that provides a single personal health record for each patient. Putting all patient health information in one easy-to-access place improves safety and quality of care. It is the largest clinical transformation in the history of HHS.

Hamilton General Hospital ED shows `Epic’ ability to rise to the challenge

Moments after Epic went live, an air ambulance helicopter landed on the roof of HHS’ Hamilton General Hospital carrying a trauma patient. And then a stroke patient needing immediate intervention arrived by ambulance.

Read more

Real-time updates from HHS operating rooms now available through Epic

When Lindsay Janzen’s baby underwent a six-hour surgery, the worried mom received text-message updates directly from the operating room to her mobile phone while she waited.

Read more

Improved communication through Secure Chat means better patient care

Communication between health care providers has gotten faster and easier since the introduction of Secure Chat – a secure messaging tool in Epic.

 

Read more

Embracing technology: Meet the HHS B2North stroke rehab team

The stroke rehabilitation team was excited to learn a new system, knowing it would provide the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Read more

HHS is first hospital in Ontario to use cutting-edge FHIR technology for instant lab results

HHS doctors have a reliable way to get patients’ lab results instantly from the Ontario Laboratories Information System database through Epic.

Read more

ADVANCING EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

Creating an environment where every person at Hamilton Health Sciences feels included, safe, and respected is key to achieving our vision of Best Care for All. We are excited to release our first 5-Year EDI Plan, which has been informed by vital input from patients, staff, physicians, and community members. It will guide HHS to becoming a more equitable and inclusive place to work and receive care.

CARING FOR PATIENTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to adding recycling programs, we are making changes to improve the health of our environment and the health of our community. Read about how we’re improving our environmental stewardship in five performance areas.

EMPOWERING INNOVATION, IMPROVING HEALTH

HHS has a long tradition of curiosity, discovery, and willingness to think outside the box to transform health care through innovation. We forge strategic partnerships to find solutions to challenges we can’t tackle alone. And, through our commitment to innovation, we’re revolutionizing health care. See some of our recent innovation achievements in our latest Innovation Report.

 

HHS BY THE NUMBERS

 

The best patient care in the future will require new processes, equipment and partnerships to keep up with new technology, changing demographics and increasing patient expectations. We have stayed the course on investments that will ensure Hamilton Health Sciences remains a high-performing hospital that delivers exceptional and safe care to the patients we serve.

 

 

1.8 M Serving a region of
299950 + Patients served
1150 COVID-19 patients cared for
3600 Babies born
Top 1 of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals for 8 years running
100 New clinical trials per year
1550 Global host sites conducting our research trials
52 Countries conducting our clinical trials
$ 1.0 Billion organization
1150 Physicians