Mackenzie Health

04/07/2026

This week, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible dedication of our Patient Access team at Mackenzie Health.

From the moment a patient seeks care, our Patient Access Representatives are there — supporting registration, booking appointments and matching patients with available beds. They are the gateway to care, ensuring every patient is connected to the right services at the right time.

And their impact speaks for itself. Over the past 12 months, our Patient Access team has supported:

📅 630,743 appointments scheduled
📝 766,057 registrations, with the average registration time of our self-serve kiosks at just 20 seconds
🏥 39,103 admissions

Their work ensures timely access, smooth transitions and a strong start to every care journey.

To our Patient Access Representatives: thank you for being the connection to care. Your compassion, efficiency and commitment make a meaningful difference every single day. 💙

04/05/2026

Our young patients got creative, making colorful Easter crafts with our incredible Child Life Specialist — and the smiles were contagious! Moments like these remind us that connection, creativity, and kindness make every day brighter.

04/03/2026

Our Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centre (9401 Jane St.) are here to help you when you or your loved ones are in need during the Easter weekend.

🚨 Emergency Department: If you’re facing life-threatening conditions like chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms or major injuries, head straight to the Emergency Department. These situations require immediate, advanced medical care.

🩹 Urgent Care Centre: For non-life-threatening issues like minor fractures, sprains, infections or moderate cuts, our Urgent Care Centre is the best choice. It’s ideal for after-hours care when your doctor’s office is closed but the situation isn’t an emergency.

Remember: if it’s life-threatening, don’t hesitate – call 911 or head to your closest Emergency Department.

On Easter weekend, our Urgent Care Centre hours are:

April 3-5: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

April 6: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Looking for non-urgent care? Visit Health 811: https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home

04/02/2026

Introducing peanut butter to your baby can feel like a big milestone, and National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is the perfect time to talk about it! Dr. Ostro, Pediatrician at Mackenzie Health, reminds families to wait until your baby is ready for solids. Some babies begin solids, including allergenic foods, as early as four months, while others start closer to six. Your child’s care provider will give you the go‑ahead when it’s time to start. Here are a few tips to help you feel confident:

* Make it baby‑friendly: Thin a small amount of peanut butter with warm water, breast milk or formula.
* Start tiny: Offer a very small taste and watch your baby closely as they try it.
* Introduce it on its own for 3-5 days: If there is a reaction, you’ll be able to identify that it is the culprit.
* Serve it in the morning or afternoon, not right before bedtime, so you can observe your baby afterward.

Research shows that the earlier you introduce allergenic foods to children, the less likely they are to develop an allergy. Be sure to reach out to your child’s care provider if you have questions. Every child is different, especially if there’s a history of allergies or eczema.

04/02/2026

On World Autism Awareness Day, we celebrate the strengths, individuality and potential of every individual with autism, their families and the staff who support them.

Mackenzie Health’s Core Clinical Services program, offered through our Centre for Behaviour Health Sciences, provides personalized autism supports tailored to children’s strengths and family’s needs. At the heart of our Core team are dedicated professionals like Georgia, who work closely with children, caregivers, educators and clinicians to build meaningful, sustainable support systems. “Even the smallest changes can have a significant impact, and being part of a family’s journey makes those moments especially rewarding,” shares Georgia.

Our Core program helps families understand and practice strategies that support skill development across all areas of life. By partnering with caregivers and other key individuals, staff ensure that every plan is practical, consistent and aligned with a child’s unique needs.

To families who are considering reaching out for support, Georgia says, “ask for help and seek support — we are here to listen. We are committed to understanding every family’s story and providing guidance grounded in knowledge and evidence-based strategies.”

Serving families across York, Simcoe and surrounding communities — with virtual options available — we’re here to help your child learn, grow and thrive. We accept a range of funding options, including the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Together, we can build environments where every child is understood, valued and empowered to thrive.

04/01/2026

What an incredible evening! Our very first Spotlight, presented by CIBC was a huge success — bringing together more than 500 guests and raising $650,000 and counting in support of exceptional care at Mackenzie Health.
From our impressive opening act, Mackenzie Health’s very own Dr. Kogon and Heavy Love, to our lively emcee, Jessica Holmes, Frances Frip who helped inspire the crowd and of course, an extraordinary performance by Chanta Kreviazuk — it was truly a night to remember.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

There’s still time to support Spotlight! Visit MHFSpotlight.ca to make a donation today.

03/31/2026

03/30/2026

Strides for Mackenzie Health, presented by Purehealth Pharmacy is on Saturday, May 9 at Canada’s Wonderland! Join us for a high-energy day in support of health care close to home. Every step helps fund essential new and replacement equipment, modern technology and upgraded patient spaces at our hospitals.
Event day T-shirts go fast! Register by Wednesday, April 1 to guarantee yours!
Visit MHFStrides.ca to register now.

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03/23/2026

After graduating from pharmacy school, Donovan knew he wanted to work in a hospital where he could learn, collaborate and make a real impact.

“I was drawn to Mackenzie Health for its innovative environment,” says Donovan. Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is Ontario’s first net‑new hospital in more than 30 years and Canada’s first smart hospital, equipped with advanced pharmacy automation and cutting‑edge technology. “The organization’s values of excellence, leadership and empathy also resonated deeply with me.”

Donovan has been a clinical pharmacist for over three years now, working with many different health care professionals to make sure patients receive the right medications and have a smooth experience during and after their hospital stay. He enjoys collaborating with colleagues, building trusting relationships and connections with patients and their families, and participating in projects and learning opportunities that help improve patient care.

If you’re looking to grow your career in an innovative and supportive environment, consider joining the team at Mackenzie Health: https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/careers

03/20/2026

We’re proud to recognize CIBC as the Presenting Sponsor of Mackenzie Health Foundation’s inaugural Spotlight, happening on Friday, March 27, 2026, at The Theatre at Great Canadian Resort Casino Toronto.

As a valued and long-standing partner to Mackenzie Health Foundation, CIBC’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to strengthening health care in our growing community. Their support will help advance the highest priority needs at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital — ensuring continued access to the equipment, technology and spaces patients rely on.

Thank you, CIBC

03/20/2026

Teamwork is what makes great care possible. When people support each other, patients feel the difference.

That’s why our Kudos Awards celebrate the individual and teams who go above and beyond for our community.

This year’s Kudos Award recognizes our Reactivation Care Centre (RCC) team — experts in helping patients safely transition from hospital to their next step, whether that’s home or another care setting.

“Teamwork is at the heart of everything we do. When we support one another, we’re able to deliver the exceptional, patient‑centred care our community deserves,” the team shares.

Daily huddles, shared problem-solving and stepping in without hesitation at the RCC mean every patient is supported, every step of the way.

From nursing to therapy to allied health and leadership, this team works as one — focused on what matters most: helping patients reach their next step.

“Receiving this Kudos Award recognizes the daily effort we invest in caring for our patients and reminds us why we entered this profession,” the team shares.

Congratulations RCC team! We’re incredibly proud of your compassion, professionalism and unwavering commitment to exceptional care.

To nominate a Mackenzie Health team or team member for a kudos, visit: https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/staff-physicians/kudos-awards/give-kudos

03/19/2026

During Pharmacy Appreciation Month, we’re celebrating the incredible Pharmacy team at Mackenzie Health and the impact they make each day. 💊

With more than 150 dedicated pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, this team ensures medications are safe, timely and effective for the patients we serve.

As our communities grow, so does this team’s impact.

At Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, we’re upgrading pharmacy technologies to make care more connected. This winter, we replaced automated anesthesia carts in our operating and endoscopy rooms with smart carts and label printers that track medications in real time, enhancing safety and accuracy. In the coming months, we’ll replace our automated dispensing units with an even smarter system that frees clinicians to spend more time with patients.

From preventing medication-related issues and supporting appropriate prescribing to educating patients throughout their care journey, this team plays a vital role in delivering high-quality care.

Thank you to our pharmacy professionals for your compassion, precision and unwavering commitment to patient safety.