St. Mary's General Hospital

04/24/2025

📢To stay connected and up to date with important news, events, community stories, and more please follow us at Waterloo Regional Health Network - WRHN!

THIS page will no longer be active May 1, 2025.

Building on more than 90 years of partnership, the former local Hospitals — St. Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital have merged to form a new single Hospital organization known as Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren).

For more please visit 🔗wrhn.ca

04/11/2025

As we honour the incredible Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital, we recognize the deep history that has shaped our journey. And now, we’re about to take another historic step forward.

Today, our name has changed but our commitment to your care will never waver. The same compassionate teams, the same trusted support, and the same dedication to your health will always be here. No matter what, we’re here for you—today, tomorrow, and always.

Together, we’re building stronger, healthier communities—one connection at a time. Welcome to health care that soars above. Welcome to WRHN.

Follow: Waterloo Regional Health Network - WRHN | www.WRHN.ca.

03/28/2025

Exciting news!🎉

Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital are thrilled to announce the Ministry of Health has approved their merger to become the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) on April 1, 2025.

Building on over 90 years of partnership, this merger represents a continued commitment to enhancing the health-care experience through combined resources, expertise, and continued work towards including the new state-of-the-art Hospital at the University of Waterloo’s North Campus.

WRHN will continue to deliver its full range of regional programs, specialties, and services at their existing locations. On April 1, all legacy Hospital sites will begin providing services as WRHN. While the name of the Hospital organization and site locations are changing, how and where patients will access care will not change. The community should continue accessing emergency care as usual.

Sites will now be known as:

• WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River KW Campus) - emergency services available
• WRHN @ Queen’s Blvd. (formerly St. Mary’s) - emergency services available
• WRHN @ Chicopee (formerly Grand River Freeport Campus)

Learn more: https://www.smgh.ca/about-us/st.-mary-s-news/articles/~351-St-Mary-s-General-Hospital-and-Grand-River-Hospital-Announce-Merger-Approval

03/19/2025

Today is Saint Joseph Day (also known as Feast of Saint Joseph or St. Joe’s Day). St. Joseph is not only the patron saint of Canada but he is also the namesake and inspiration of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph (Hamilton) who founded St. Mary's 100 years ago.

St. Joe’s Day serves as a reminder of St. Joseph’s Health System’s rich history, values, and mission. It's a time to shine a light on healthcare workers who embody the mission and values imparted by our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Earlier this year, we celebrated our exceptional colleagues with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton Mission Legacy Award, recognizing their outstanding contributions to healthcare.🏆💫

Learn more about these remarkable individuals by swiping through the graphics.

03/14/2025

The 15th Annual Pow Wow at Conestoga College, Doon Campus, is tomorrow, March 15! Doors open at 10 AM, with Grand Entry at 12 PM. Enjoy traditional dances, drumming, songs, info booths, and authentic Indigenous vendors. Admission is $5 (kids under 5 free), and parking is free.

Visit the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and Grand River Hospital Indigenous Employee Circle booths!

Conestoga College is a leading Canadian Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

03/09/2025

To mark the change of season, the Indigenous Employee Circle, in collaboration with community Elders and Firekeepers, will be holding Sacred Fires on March 11. All are invited to attend, including team members, patients, and community members.

You don’t need to be familiar with these ceremonies to attend — this is an opportunity for all of us to come together, experience, and learn.

We hope to see you at one of these ceremonies!

St. Mary’s General Hospital
Sacred Fire at noon
Near portable (by parking lot)

Grand River Hospital's KW Campus
Sacred Fire at 2 p.m.
Green space in front of the main entrance

Today's drumming circle has been canceled. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

03/03/2025

March is packed with awareness campaigns, cultural celebrations, and global observances! This month, we recognize Brain Health, Kidney & Liver Health, Colorectal Cancer, Epilepsy, Multiple Myeloma, Nutrition, Music Therapy, Pharmacy Appreciation, and Social Work Month—plus it's Irish Heritage Month! 💚

Key Awareness Days & Weeks: Self-Injury Awareness Day (Mar 1), World Birth Defects Day and World Hearing Day (Mar 3), Social Work Week (Mar 3-9), World Obesity Day (Mar 4), World Lymphedema Day (Mar 6), Employee Appreciation Day (Mar 7), International Women's Day (Mar 8th), Daylight Saving Time Begins (Mar 9), World Glaucoma Week (Mar 9-15), Brain Awareness Week (Mar 10-16), Safe Sleep Week (Mar 10-14), World Sleep Day (Mar 14), International Day to Combat Islamophobia (Mar 15), Creative Arts Therapy Week (Mar 15-21), National Poison Prevention Week (Mar 16-22), Neurodiversity Celebration Week (Mar 17-23), International Day of Happiness (Mar 20), World Oral Health Day (Mar 20), International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Mar 21), World Down Syndrome Day (Mar 21), World Water Day (Mar 22), World Tuberculosis Day (Mar 24), Purple Day (Mar 26), International Transgender Day of Visibility (Mar 31), and National Indigenous Languages Day (Mar 31).

Cultural & Religious Observances: Ramadan (Feb 28-Mar 29), Shrove Tuesday (Mar 4), Ash Wednesday (Mar 5), Purim (Mar 13-14), Holi (Mar 14), Memorial of Shan-tao (Mar 14), Sikh New Year’s Day (Mar 14), Hola Mohalla (Mar 14), St. Patrick’s Day (Mar 17), Chaharshanbe Suri (Mar 18), Saint Joseph’s Day (Mar 19), Ostara (Mar 20), First Day of Spring (Mar 20), Nowruz (Mar 21), Laylat al-Qadr (Mar 27), Eid al-Fitr (Mar 29-30), Chaitra New Year (Mar 30), and Birth Anniversary of Zarathustra (Mar 26).

Let’s raise awareness, embrace diversity, and uplift each other! March is a month of inclusion, well-being, and cultural celebration. 💚

03/03/2025

In collaboration with healthcare providers, the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program (WWRCP) at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre is leading the way in improving cervical cancer screening! Starting today, providers like family doctors, nurse practitioners, and midwives will offer the HPV test, replacing the Pap test as the new primary screening method for cervical cancer. This exciting change will help with earlier detection and prevent long-term impacts of cervical cancer.

Early detection of HPV is crucial for understanding your health and taking the right steps.

Learn more 🔗 https://www.smgh.ca/about-us/st.-mary-s-news/articles/~346-Waterloo-Wellington-Regional-Cancer-Program-Supports-Launch-of-New-HPV-Test-for-Cervical-Cancer-Screening

02/28/2025

Sending peace, health, and strength to all those celebrating Ramadan. May this month bring comfort and healing.

02/21/2025

Heart valve disease (HVD) affects over 1 million Canadians—many without even knowing it. If left untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart failure, or worse.

Tomorrow, February 22 is HVD Awareness Day, a reminder that a simple stethoscope check can detect murmurs or abnormal sounds that may signal HVD. Screening is especially important for those 60+, with a family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other heart risks.

HVD is on the rise, but early detection saves lives. 💙 Thank you, Dawn, for bravely sharing your story.

02/17/2025

Family isn’t just about blood—it’s about love, loyalty, and the moments that bring us together. ❤️ Cherishing the memories, laughter, and bonds that make us who we are. Happy Family Day!

02/14/2025

Today, sharing simple things to remember. 🩷❤️🤍

02/12/2025

At Grand River Hospital & St. Mary's General Hospital, we’re taking time to honour and celebrate the incredible contributions of our Black team members. 🖤✨ This month is about recognizing how Black cultural heritage shapes healthcare, strengthens our communities, and enriches the care we provide every day.

Diversity makes us stronger, and representation in healthcare matters. Let’s continue learning, uplifting, and celebrating together!

02/11/2025

Today, we celebrate the incredible women in science who are transforming healthcare—past, present, and future! 👩‍🔬💉🔬 From researchers and doctors to nurses, technicians, and future healthcare innovators, their dedication and breakthroughs are shaping the future of medicine. Here’s to the women and girls breaking barriers and driving progress every day!

02/04/2025

Cancer touches countless lives, but with awareness, support, and kindness, we can make a real difference. ♥️ On this World Cancer Day, we come together to honour those affected, thank the healthcare teams making a difference, and advocate for continued research and care.

At St. Mary’s General Hospital, our Level One Thoracic Surgery Centre has been a leader in cancer care since 2009. Our skilled thoracic surgeons specialize in lung resections and esophagectomies, providing expert care for lung, chest wall, and esophageal cancers.

Our close partnership with Grand River Regional Cancer Centre ensures that everyone in our community receives the support and guidance they need.

Today and every day, let’s stand together, raise awareness, and spread kindness. ♥️

01/29/2025

On January 29, we remember the victims and survivors of the Québec City Mosque Attack and stand against Islamophobia.

Eight years ago, lives were forever changed when a gunman, fueled by hate, attacked worshippers at Le Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. Today, we honour their memory, support their families, and reaffirm our commitment to fighting Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination.

No one should ever feel unsafe because of their faith. Today and always, we stand in solidarity with Muslim communities across Canada.