This past year marked a turning point for Hamilton Health Sciences. As we moved beyond the challenges of the post-pandemic period, we entered a new, forward-focused era – one defined by progress, partnership, and purpose. Together, we’ve improved access to care, strengthened our commitment to research and innovation, brought stability to our workforce, advanced key infrastructure projects, and strengthened our role as a system leader across our region and beyond.
Now, we’re building on that momentum. As one of Canada’s largest academic health science centres, it’s our job to create the health care of tomorrow while responding to the ever-evolving needs of our system today. This fall, we’ll launch a new corporate strategy that reflects the voices of our people and the needs of our communities – a strategy designed to create lasting, positive change across our organization and the broader health system. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about where we’re headed.
Tracey MacArthur, President & CEO
Keith Monrose, Chair, Board of Directors
Land acknowledgment
We are privileged to provide care on lands that Indigenous peoples have called home for thousands of years. We recognize and respect the presence and stewardship of all Indigenous peoples as keepers of this land.
Advancing Indigenous Health and Reconcilitation
Hamilton Health Sciences is deeply committed to advancing Indigenous health and reconciliation. Guided by Indigenous voices and leadership, we’ve developed a comprehensive Indigenous Health Plan focused on culturally safe, equitable care and grounded in Indigenous rights and frameworks. This work reflects our broader promise to confront anti-Indigenous racism and uphold Indigenous sovereignty. We look forward to introducing the plan in 2025. Learn more in our 2024–25 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Progress Report.
Hamilton Health Sciences is proud to lead health care beyond our hospital walls. As a regional provider, we support hospitals and communities across southern Ontario. In 2024–25, we expanded access to specialized care through digital tools, transport systems, and virtual services. Our Epic digital health system helped teams across work together more safely and effectively. We launched new programs and supported time-sensitive treatments like stroke care and NICU transport. These stories show how we are shaping the future of health care in Hamilton and beyond.
The Hamilton Health Sciences health information technology services ambulatory team holding the award for Epic Gold Stars 9. Our hospital system is only one of two in Canada to achieve this designation.
EVT is an emergency stroke procedure that removes large blood clots lodged in major vessels in the brain. It’s reserved for patients with this extremely serious type of brain clot, and is considered the gold standard in treatment.
MCH’s Pediatric Tele-Resuscitation Program allows MCH emergency doctors to provide critical resuscitation support to colleagues at community hospitals and smaller health care centres through 24/7 video chat when a child is in need.
At HHS, improving health outcomes is our number one goal. This year, we introduced new technologies, expanded services, and improved care across all life stages. We grew McMaster Children’s Hospital, improved safety in emergency care, and continued bringing research from bench to the bedside. From heart monitoring and cancer screening to diagnostic breakthroughs, we’re helping people live longer and healthier lives. These stories highlight how our care is making a difference every day.
Heart failure patient Peg Kelly’s vital signs are automatically recorded in her electronic hospital record from the comfort of her own home. Her care is monitored remotely by a team of HHS virtual care nurses and nurse practitioners through a custom program created by HHS, that’s a Canadian first.
Daisy Varga had bad stomach cramps, blood in her stool, and was losing weight, interfering with school and hockey. Thanks to a new program at McMaster Children’s Hospital where older teens are seen by a gastroenterologist who normally treats adults, Daisy got the diagnosis and treatment she needed to get back on the ice.
Hamilton Health Sciences is expanding the hospital’s AI Learning Health System for Breast Cancer to include genetics information from patients. This next step for the Learning Health System was made possible thanks to the work of Dr. Jeremy Petch, Dr. Andrea Eisen and Dr. Mark Levine.
Health care should work for everyone. At HHS, we’re building a more inclusive, equitable system. Guided by our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan, we we’ve made strides in reducing health inequities in our hospital and community. We’ve improved pediatric care for diverse families, removed race-based clinical tools, and expanded use of data to better understand patient needs. Guided by our five-year Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan, see our 2024-25 EDI progress report and the following stories:
Breathing into a spirometer is one way to measure lung function. HHS is changing the way spirometry readings are interpreted to eliminate race-based considerations.
Judi Feaver, an integrated service consultant on the children’s Extensive Needs Services program, Ella Orillos, a registered nurse at Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre, and Rochelle Reid, senior lead and strategic advisor of the EDI team, are focused on cultivating an environment that embraces equity, diversity and inclusion principles across the hospital.
Our people make HHS what it is. This year, we celebrated staff who’ve given decades of service and welcomed new team members into our supportive, award-winning workplace. We were named one of the region’s top employers and recognized for our work in staff wellness. These stories feature just a few of the dedicated people behind our care and the many ways they bring compassion, talent, and teamwork to their roles.
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) was named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for the fourth year in a row.
On November 4, 2025 we honoured our long-service employees at our annual Day of Celebration event. Hear from some of our award recipients about what makes HHS so special.
The Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Awards acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and teams in the Ontario health system. The SHINE program is one of only seven winners out of more than 200 submissions received by Ontario Health this year.
HHS is one of Canada’s top research hospitals, and we’re known for turning science into real-world care. In 2024–25, our teams led studies that could change treatment for sepsis, burns, and more. We explored how artificial intelligence can improve care and made it easier for patients to join clinical trials. These stories highlight how we’re pushing boundaries while bringing research and innovation to life. Read more in the 2025 Research Impact Report and the 2025 Innovation Impact Report.
A study by Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) health equity specialist and McMaster University PhD candidate Fatima Sheikh found that some Hamilton neighbourhoods have almost double the amount of sepsis compared to those living elsewhere in the city.
A stem cell study being launched in the new year at HHS’ Centre for Burn Research could lead to a less invasive treatment for patients with burns to much of their body, improving their survival and healing rates, and bringing a better quality of life.
HHS surgeons are testing an innovative AI tool that can catch signs of dangerous complications early in patients recovering from certain surgeries. Dr. Pablo E. Serrano, a surgeon at our Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, is leading the trial.