Unity Health Toronto

04/16/2026

Yesterday, our Unity Health teams participated in — a large-scale emergency preparedness exercise involving 31 partner organizations across the city. The exercise was an exciting opportunity to test response protocols, strengthen coordination and reflect on lessons learned as we prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Follow the hashtag to see how teams learned valuable lessons and worked together throughout the day.

04/10/2026

Libraries are more than books, they’re also bridges to better care.

For Sadaf Ullah, Information Specialist on our Library Services team, making knowledge accessible is at the heart of everything she does. From supporting nurses with evidence-based resources to breaking down paywalls that limit access to care information, her work helps strengthen learning, education and patient outcomes across Unity Health Toronto.

We’re proud to share that Sadaf was recently recognized with the Joan Leishman Award of Merit for Excellence in Health Science Information, honouring her impact across Ontario’s health care system.

Read her story and see how information can change practice: https://unityhealth.to/2026/04/making-knowledge-accessible-for-staff/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260409-librarian

04/09/2026

After carrying the heartbreak of losing their twin daughters, Giuliana and Valentina, Bianca and Daniel returned to St. Michael’s Hospital with hope, choosing to stay present, one milestone at a time.

On December 20, 2025, they welcomed triplets Cristiano, Alessandro and Milena. Their arrival was made possible by months of careful monitoring, coordinated planning and a team that understood not just this pregnancy, but everything that came before it.

For Bianca and Daniel, coming back to St. Michael’s was never a question. Familiar faces, steady communication and compassionate care helped them navigate the “what ifs,” while holding space for their past. One of the triplets was even named in honour of a nurse whose kindness during the twins’ birth and loss left a lasting imprint.

Their story is a reminder that parenthood can be shaped by every chapter, by love, by grief, and by the people who walk with you through it all.

Read the full story: https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/a-future-begins-here/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260330-triplets

04/09/2026

We are proud to congratulate Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto, on being named the 2026 recipient of the CCHL Distinguished Leadership Award - the highest honour awarded by the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

The CCHL Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes visionary leaders who have driven meaningful transformation, demonstrated exemplary engagement and collaboration and a dedication to building leadership capacity.

Congratulations to Altaf, on this well-deserved recognition.

Read more: https://cchl-ccls.ca/news_article/altaf-stationwala-named-recipient-of-the-2026-cchl-distinguished-leadership-award/

04/07/2026

Recently, members of Unity Health’s executive team rolled up their sleeves to complete the Stop the Bleed course, an immersive, hands-on program that teaches life‑saving skills for emergency situations. Created by the American College of Surgeons, Stop the Bleed equips both civilian bystanders and health care professionals with practical tools to stop uncontrolled bleeding when it matters most.

Led by the Injury Prevention Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, the session took place in Unity Health’s state‑of‑the‑art Simulation Centre, where participants learned how to recognize major bleeding and respond effectively across a range of realistic scenarios.

As a Level One Trauma Centre verified by the American College of Surgeons, St. Michael’s Hospital is home to a leading trauma program that delivers timely, comprehensive care to the most critically injured patients. Globally, the Stop the Bleed program has trained nearly four million people, including the community and student groups our incredible educators spend their time working with.

04/02/2026

April 2, 2026, is World Autism Awareness Day. 💙

Team members at The Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence Long‑Term Care Home marked the day by wearing specially designed t‑shirts in celebration of World Autism Awareness Day. The shirts were designed by resident assistant Deandra Belle (pictured here with her team), whose son is on the autism spectrum. Deandra was proudly supported by her colleagues as they came together to raise awareness and show their support.

Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence is a long‑term care centre serving 288 residents on the campus of Providence Healthcare—a regional leader in rehabilitation, seniors’ care, and long‑term care—where specialized teams help people live to their fullest potential.

03/30/2026

Last week, Unity Health Toronto held a mock Code Orange exercise to prepare for emergency events in our city.

As a Level 1 trauma centre, St. Michael’s Hospital regularly conducts large-scale simulations involving teams from across the hospital to ensure readiness for real-life catastrophic events.

Global News featured Unity Health staff as they took part in this collaborative exercise, drawing on the expertise of emergency preparedness teams throughout the hospital.

Watch the feature here:

Watch Mock ‘Code Orange’ tests disaster response at Unity Health Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

03/30/2026

A new commentary published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) says Canada needs a national framework for civilian–military medical integration to prepare for emergencies.

Co-authors, including St. Michael’s physicians Dr. Andrew Beckett and Dr. David Klein, write that in the case of a major armed conflict, Canada’s public health care system would bear the burden.

“The limiting resources would be trauma surgery, intensive care beds, blood supply, transport coordination, and real-time situational awareness,” the authors write. “All these resources depend on digital infrastructure enabling patient tracking, hospital capacity management, and interfacility communication, which may themselves be disrupted during cyber attacks.”

Read the full story: https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/preparing-canadas-health-system-for-military-conflicts/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260330-military

03/28/2026

Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, visiting scholar at St. Michael’s Hospital and leading mind in the race against antimicrobial resistance, is featured in a new episode of Radiolab called “Viscera: Antibiotic Apocalypse.”

In conversation with Radiolab correspondent and ER physician Dr. Avir Mitra, Strathdee digs into the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, how bacteria are evolving faster than we can keep up with, and why some of the most promising solutions are coming from the most unexpected places.

Strathdee is a scientist and author of the book The Perfect Predator, which recounts her own personal encounter with an antibiotic-resistant superbug and the use of phage therapy to treat infections that have defied all other treatment.

You can listen to the episode now: https://link.podtrac.com/fxz9hw18.

03/26/2026

After a hip fracture, Madhu Suri wasn’t sure she’d be able to manage stairs again. After three weeks of rehabilitation, she can climb 15 -- all while cheering on the people around her.

With the support of Providence’s Orthopaedic and Amputee Rehabilitation team, Madhu’s positivity, determination and hard work helped her regain confidence and mobility, one step at a time.

Read about Madhu’s journey. https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/a-patients-journey-through-hip-fracture-rehabilitation/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260326-rehabilitation

03/25/2026

Yesterday, Unity Health welcomed a delegation of Dutch health executives to St. Michael’s Hospital for an exchange on leading health systems through complexity and transformation. Our leadership team shared our AI strategy and our approaches to advancing strategic priorities, building clinical trust and advancing data driven care.

Thank you to our presenters and to our Dutch colleagues for a morning of meaningful dialogue and learning.

03/25/2026

📢 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬! 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫.

📆 Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
⌚ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 St. Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Building
209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8
Rooms 240 & 241, Exhibition space (2nd Floor)

Discover meaningful career opportunities and connect with members of our team. We can’t wait to meet you!

03/23/2026

Recovery is never one-size-fits-all.

After surviving a traumatic brain injury, Ben Finlan faced a years-long road to recovery that was shaped by personalized care, creative therapy approaches and a care team that refused to give up on his goals.

Part two of Ben’s journey highlights how interdisciplinary care helps patients rebuild their strength, independence and confidence.

Read the next chapter of his story:
https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/confidence-after-a-traumatic-brain-injury/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260323-finlan

03/20/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐫. 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚.

Dr. Errett, a renowned cardiac surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital for more than 30 years, is internationally recognized as a leader in cardiac surgery, research, and education. His vision and expertise helped make St. Michael’s a world class centre for cardiac care.

As founding president of the Bethune Medical Development Association, he also volunteers his time and expertise to providing care in underserved areas worldwide.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Errett on this well deserved recognition.

03/18/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 ‘𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞’ 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭

When Ben Finlan arrived at St. Michael’s Hospital following a traumatic brain injury, he had no idea what the path to healing was going to look like. What followed was years of complex, coordinated care involving dozens of teams across the hospital.

Ben and his partner Katherine Smith sat down with us to talk about their journey, the relationships they’ve built with their care team, and why they are so passionate about advocating for patients and caregivers.

Ben’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when expertise, compassion and perseverance come together. We’ll be sharing this three-part series over the next few days.

Read Part 1 of Ben’s journey:
https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/four-years-and-66-surgeries/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260318-finlan

03/17/2026

Paddle Royale in support of heart health and St. Michaels Hospital is being held on March 28.Subscribe to CP24 to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/...

03/12/2026

Dr. Dalia Rotstein is a Unity Health Toronto neurologist and clinician-researcher working to improve the treatment and care of pregnant women and new mothers.

According to Rotstein, certain rare neurological conditions predominantly affect women – and they often start just as they're beginning their families and building their careers.

Dr. Rotstein is the lead author on a paper published in the Lancet Neurology exploring the safety of medications used during pregnancy and breastfeeding to treat rare autoimmune neurological diseases.

Click the link to learn more about her work: https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/meet-the-neurologist-dedicated-to-improving-care-for-women-during-pregnancy/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260312-rotstein

03/11/2026

Last week, we were pleased to welcome a delegation from SingHealth, one of Singapore’s leading health systems, to St. Michael’s Hospital.

Their visit was an opportunity to exchange knowledge on how we’re advancing digital innovation. We shared learnings from the launch of Unity Health’s new Epic electronic medical record, on innovations in nursing, on our in-house AI development and implementation team and on our evolving health data platforms.

A huge thank you to our Unity Health teams for showcasing their cutting edge work, and to the SingHealth delegation for joining us in this meaningful exchange.

03/10/2026

Unity Health Toronto is excited to be the first hospital in Ontario to launch automated, unit-level blood inventory data sharing with Canadian Blood Services.

Unity Health’s Laboratory Medicine and Digital teams are leveraging existing technology to securely share daily inventory data to eliminate manual uploading and create better visibility across the health care system.

This partnership supports planning for a consistent blood supply, especially during shortages, and reduces the administrative burden for lab teams. It’s a great example of cross-organizational collaboration for the benefit of patient care.

This initiative, launched in early 2026, represents more than a technical milestone. It reflects what’s possible when health care partners work together to improve system coordination and reliability.

We’re proud to help inform a broader provincial frame work that will support onboarding additional hospitals in the future.

03/09/2026

New research at St. Michael’s shows a doubling of new prescriptions for ADHD medications among adults since start of COVID-19 pandemic.

Is it overprescribing or a new surge in awareness of this condition?

Researchers Dr. Tara Gomes and Dr. Mina Tadrous share more insight into why this is important in their latest paper in CMAJ.

Click the link to learn more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/03/adhd-prescriptions-doubled-since-start-of-covid-19-pandemic/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260309-adhd

03/09/2026

Urgent action is needed to strengthen global blood-system readiness, according to a commentary published in the Lancet co-authored by Dr. Andrew Beckett, trauma surgeon and scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital and Lieutenant-Colonel in The Canadian Armed Forces.

Beckett and co-authors from The NATO Blood Panel, who met in February in Brussels, warn that future emergency situations could push military and civilian blood services to capacity.
The panel recommends preparing for demand for whole blood and dried plasma, strengthening supply chains and surge capacity, investing in universal blood products and donor pool expansion, and continuing to build civilian-military partnerships.

St. Michael’s Hospital was the site of Canada’s first blood transfusion, and carries on that legacy by driving forward research in the areas of trauma and resuscitation, including the study of whole blood, dried plasma, and pre-hospital transfusion.

Click the link to read the full article in The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00322-3/fulltext

03/05/2026

Thank you to Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and MP for Taiaiako'n–Parkdale–High Park, for visiting St. Michael’s Hospital, part of Unity Health Toronto.

We were proud to showcase innovation in action — including GEMINI and VITAL, data platforms transforming health data to advance care, research, and responsible AI; and ASIST TBI, our AI tool that rapidly analyzes head CTs to flag urgent neurosurgical needs.

The visit also included a tour of our expanded Emergency Department, opening this spring, and a look at our world-class emergency and trauma care.

Our exceptional teams are driving impact every day - improving care, advancing innovation, and building the healthcare system of tomorrow.

03/03/2026

This transformational gift from the Slaight Family Foundation will help establish a new program aimed at tackling homelessness in our city.

“If we’re going to invest more funds, we need to invest them in long-term solutions, not in short-term Band-Aids," said Dr. Stephen Hwang, director of the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital, in an interview with The Canadian Press.

"That’s why this ($25 million) gift is so wonderful because it’s doing both of those things. It’s addressing urgent needs but it’s also creating long-term solutions."

Thank you to The Slaight Family Foundation for their transformational $25 million gift to St. Michael’s Hospital’s MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions and United Way Greater Toronto.

At a time when thousands in our city are experiencing homelessness and its devastating impacts on health, this catalytic investment comes at a critical moment.

Together, with our partners, we will launch the Slaight Family Housing Lab—helping people move from homelessness into stable housing through United Way’s unparalleled network of community services, and creating a model for lasting success and impact based on MAP’s decades of proven research and expertise on homelessness, housing and health.

This groundbreaking partnership marks a new era of collaboration, uniting healthcare, housing, and social services to tackle one of Toronto’s most urgent crises.

Read more: https://stmichaelsfoundation.com/our-stories/a-transformational-25-million-gift

Unity Health Toronto Covenant House Toronto Dixon Hall Fred Victor Neighbourhood Group LOFT Community Services Na-Me-Res (Native Men's Residence) Wigwamen Incorporated

02/26/2026

Thank you to the delegation of five UK supercomputing centres for visiting St. Michael’s Hospital yesterday to learn about our health data platforms and AI development. It was a great opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and the positive impact that health AI is making for patients:

✅ Dr. Amol Verma and Nicole Yada showcased GEMINI, a hospital data system that is driving improvements and innovation to clinical care in Ontario, and VITAL, the next-gen hospital data platform that will expand across Canada.
✅ Mike Page and Derek Beaton presented on Unity Health’s in-house AI team, how we’ve learned and grown over the past 10 years and how we develop our AI tools.
✅ Dr. Verma demonstrated CHARTWatch, an AI tool that saves lives by predicting unplanned ICU transfers and deaths, and Drs. Alun Ackery and Christopher Witiw showed ASIST-TBI, an algorithm that predicts if patients will require neurosurgery after a traumatic brain injury.

Learn more: https://unityhealth.to/about-unity-health/ai-at-unity-health/

02/26/2026

Every month, staff, researchers, physicians, learners and teams across Unity Health Toronto celebrate important honours, achievements and awards. Congratulations to all who’ve been recognized in February!

Read more: https://unityhealth.to/2026/02/february-2026-honour-roll/?&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=260226-honour-roll