Mackenzie Health

08/14/2025

Each year, our Kudos Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals and teams who go above and beyond to make Mackenzie Health exceptional. This year, we’re proud to recognize the Oncology team at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

This dedicated and close-knit team is known for the calm presence and compassion they bring to every interaction. Patients are welcomed by the same familiar faces and build lasting relationships rooted in trust. That sense of continuity helps create an environment where patients feel supported, respected and at ease — even when facing some of the most difficult moments in their journey.

Care is delivered seamlessly across roles, with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers and volunteers working as one team. Colleagues look out for one another during challenging moments and always put patients first.

Congratulations to the Oncology team on this well-deserved recognition!

If you know someone that deserves a Kudos Award, nominate them here: https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/staff-physicians/kudos-awards/annual-kudos-awards

08/13/2025

With summer well underway, the risk of tick bites remains. Ticks are active across Ontario and Lyme disease cases are on the rise.

We’re re-sharing this video with Emergency Department Physician Dr. Taher, who offers practical advice on how to protect yourself from ticks and what to do if you get a bite.

If you’re bitten and notice symptoms such as a rash, redness or swelling, contact your primary care provider or visit the nearest urgent care centre.

08/12/2025

Summer brings plenty of loud moments — fireworks, concerts, lawn equipment — and without protection, they can take a toll on your hearing.

Dr. Lukas Kus, Otolaryngology Specialist at Mackenzie Health, shares a few simple ways to stay safe:

✅Use earplugs when you're close to loud sounds — like concerts, fireworks or power tools — especially if you'll be exposed for more than a few minutes

✅Keep a safe distance — at least 500 ft. from fireworks and avoid standing near speakers

✅Take quiet breaks during extended exposure

✅If you notice ringing, muffled hearing, or ear discomfort that doesn’t go away after a day, it’s a good idea to have it checked by a doctor

Noise-related hearing loss is permanent, but it’s also highly preventable.

A few small precautions can help you enjoy everything summer has to offer — without putting your hearing at risk.

08/08/2025

In honour of World Breastfeeding Week, Mackenzie Health is highlighting the importance of skin-to-skin contact during the Golden Hour — the first hour after birth. Placing a newborn on a parent’s bare chest helps initiate breastfeeding, regulate the baby’s temperature and heart rate and build early emotional bonds.

Whenever possible, we ensure parents and newborns experience this vital first hour together. It's a key part of our Family Integrated Care (FiCare) model — an internationally recognized approach that empowers families to take an active role in their baby’s care through education, collaboration and hands-on involvement.

FiCare supports evidence-based practices like skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding education, with goals such as increasing parent confidence, improving infant health outcomes and reducing preventable NICU admissions. In its first year at Mackenzie Health, FiCare led to higher breastfeeding and skin-to-skin rates, along with a reduction in NICU admissions.

A simple step like skin-to-skin contact has a powerful impact — laying the foundation for stronger bonds, healthier babies and more confident parents.

08/06/2025

Traveling across time zones this summer?

Dr. Ratha Santhiramohan, Neurologist at Mackenzie Health, shares simple ways to ease the effects of jet lag and help your body adjust— so you can settle in quicker, both on your trip and when you return.

Read more: https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/about-us/news/~420-Managing-jet-lag-with-summer-travel

08/04/2025

Happy Civic Holiday! Whether you're soaking up the sun, exploring the outdoors or simply enjoying some well-deserved downtime, we hope you have a safe and relaxing day.

If you need care today, we’re here for you:
- The Emergency Departments at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital are open 24/7.
- Our Urgent Care Centre is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for non-life-threatening concerns.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday Monday!

08/01/2025

When it comes to recognizing the incredible contributions of our staff and physicians, Mackenzie Health’s Kudos Awards are a meaningful way to celebrate excellence.

Vicky, a Program Co-ordinator with the Centre for Behaviour Health Sciences at Mackenzie Health, is one of last year’s Kudos Award recipients. She was recognized for the key role she’s played leading the behaviour team within the Extensive Needs Service (ENS), a Mackenzie Health initiative delivered in partnership with Holland Bloorview and Children’s Treatment Network.

This program helps children and teens in York Region who face complex health, learning, or behaviour challenges. Guided by research and an understanding of the impact of past experiences and trauma, the ENS team includes behaviour analysts, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, a nurse practitioner and a developmental pediatrician.

Vicky’s ability to lead and mentor with empathy, foster collaboration and consistently put clients first reflects the compassion, innovation and teamwork at the heart of Mackenzie Health’s values — and the spirit of the Kudos Award.

Congratulations, Vicky — and thank you for everything you do.

If you know someone that deserves a Kudos Award, nominate them here: https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/staff-physicians/kudos-awards/annual-kudos-awards

07/30/2025

The 11th annual Ride for Mackenzie Health, presented by CIBC rolls back into Westlin Farms on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, and we want you at the starting line.

Whether you choose 40km, 70km or 100km, every kilometre brings us closer to our $365,000 goal in support of essential programs at Mackenzie Health, including mental health care.

Visit us at MHFRide.ca to register and make an impact.

Let’s Ride!

07/29/2025

The sign is up! We’re proud to be a lead partner in York University’s future School of Medicine, located in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct adjacent to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. This milestone highlights the power of collaboration across government, health care, education, research and innovation — all working together to train the next generation of doctors and improve access to care across our region.

York U celebrates another milestone with the unveiling of a new sign for the future School of Medicine building next to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, and signed a partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation toward fostering health-care innovation. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3GNF0v3 |

07/28/2025

A smashing success!

A big thank you to Zancor Homes and Lifetime Developments for choosing to support Mackenzie Health Foundation through their 12th annual Smashed Ping Pong Tournament. We’re grateful to be among the incredible charities benefiting from this high-energy event, which raised over $500,000. Your generosity helps us continue to deliver compassionate care to our community, and we’re proud to be on your team!

07/25/2025

Sunny days can turn stormy fast, especially in the summer. Knowing what to do when lightning strikes could save a life.

Just ask Chris, a Registered Nurse and Patient Care Manager at Mackenzie Health. While golfing in 2014, he saw a man struck by lightning and immediately jumped into action. His quick CPR response saved the man’s life.

With summer storms on the rise, Chris shares these lightning safety tips to help you stay safe:

⚡️Act fast. If the sky shifts or thunder rolls in, get to shelter immediately — especially in open areas like golf courses. On golf courses, always take weather sirens seriously.

⚡️Don’t wait for rain. Thunder means lightning is close enough to strike. Avoid high ground, water and isolated trees. Get inside a building or a fully enclosed vehicle.

⚡️Stay sheltered. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before heading back out. Don’t assume it’s safe just because the sky is clearing and know that lightning can strike the same place twice.

⚡️If someone is struck: Call 911. If you are CPR trained, ensure it’s safe to help before checking for responsiveness and beginning resuscitation. If it is safe to do so, use an AED as early as possible, following the instructions provided.

Chris’s story is a powerful reminder that recognizing the signs of danger — and knowing what to do if lightning strikes someone — can make all the difference.

07/23/2025

Summer break brings freedom and fun, but without routine, it can leave some kids feeling anxious, unsettled and pushing back on routines. The key? Find a balance between structure and free time that works for your family. The Shaw Clinic Child and Family Mental Health team at Mackenzie Health shares a few simple strategies to help kids feel steady and supported all summer long:

✅Stick to a routine: aim for consistency with wake-up times, meals and bedtime to provide a sense of stability.

✅Use visual schedules: great for younger kids, simple visual plans can reduce anxiety and support co-operation.

✅Build in downtime: even after scheduled activities, to give children time to relax, rest and recharge.

✅Support healthy screen use with age-appropriate limits: shared screen time, such as watching a movie together, is more beneficial than solitary use.

✅Prioritize meaningful connection: brief moments of focused one-on-one time can strengthen emotional security.

✅Model calm, flexible behaviour: children take emotional cues from caregivers. Showing your child a steady routine and healthy ways to handle stress helps them feel safe.

There’s no single right way to structure summer — just what works best for your child and your family.