A message from Sinai Health

This was another remarkable year for Sinai Health, as we kicked off the 100th anniversary celebration of Mount Sinai Hospital, our world-class health science centre that has grown from the roots planted by four Jewish women who initially raised $12,000 to fund its creation. 2023 also marked the 10 year anniversary of Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital’s move into its purpose-built building. Both hospitals were built upon a legacy of caring for those who are vulnerable and marginalized, and to meet the most pressing needs of the communities we serve. This past year reinforced how relevant our legacy continues to be as our teams continued to respond to pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring our patients received the highest-quality, compassionate care. As we look to the future, we will draw on this rich history to guide Sinai Health’s purpose of creating new possibilities for our patients, people, and communities.

At Mount Sinai Hospital, the final stage of our ambitious Renew Sinai Phase 3A is fast approaching. Our teams are now caring for patients in our new Cancer Care Clinic, Endoscopy Unit and Kimel Schatzky Intensive Care Unit, all designed to help our clinicians deliver the best patient-centred care. In the coming year, the hospital will complete its transformation of more than 300,000 square feet including a new Kitchen, Ambulatory Care area, Inpatient Unit, and opening of the final phase of the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Centre.

Planning continues at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, aimed at fully realizing the potential of our Bridgepoint campus with the build of a long-term care home. The last few years have highlighted the important role long-term care homes play in the quality of life of older adults. Our strength in delivering specialized care in hospital, community and home, positions us well to respond to the needs of this community.

Scientists at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) continue to push the boundaries for scientific discovery, making a profound impact on research and patients on an international level. Overall, our scientists published more than 880 primary research publications on topics including clinical oncology, obstetrics-gynaecology, paediatrics, gastroenterology and public health. This year, Dr. Daniel Drucker was honoured with the prestigious Wolf Prize in Medicine for his research into intestinal hormones and their use in treating diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Looking towards the future, we are in the initial stages of planning for a new, purpose-built research tower on Murray Street, adjacent to Mount Sinai. This transformative project will create a state-of-the-art home for LTRI and in turn allow us to embark on the final phase of our Renew Sinai initiative.

Our system partner, Circle of Care enhanced many of their community’s most required services. From expansion of its Meals on Wheels program and providing complimentary meals to vulnerable low-income clients, to launching a new Adult Day Program providing dementia care to older adults. With the move to a 7,200-square-foot, friendly, inviting and non-institutional space, the Adult Day Program doubled the number of people they can serve and caregivers they can support.

We were grateful to announce three reappointments to our medical leadership structure: Dr. Chaim Bell as Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld as Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Dr. David Yan as Ophthalmologist-in-Chief. We celebrated Drs. Zane Cohen and Allan Gross who were appointed to the Order of Canada. Additionally, Dr. Carol Swallow was the first female surgeon and the first from Mount Sinai Hospital to be appointed as the R.S. McLaughlin Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Lianne Jeffs was announced as the inaugural Research and Innovation Lead, and Scientific Director for the newly established Science of Care Institute. We are incredibly proud of the leadership and accomplishments of so many clinicians at Sinai Health, all of whom dedicate so much to our Institution.

For a second year, Sinai Health Foundation exceeded their $100-million fundraising goal. Since its inception, women have always been at the core of Mount Sinai Hospital. Our Foundation’s unprecedented efforts in raising funds to establish a world-leading Centre for Mature Women’s Health, is the next big step in improving care and reducing stigma around women’s health care. Also contributing to our success is the launch of the inaugural Raptors for Research basketball tournament raising more than $750,000 in support of game-changing research at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. We are grateful for the dedication of our Foundation team and the support of our generous donors who are fundamental in helping us fund and achieve our aspirations.

All that we have accomplished, past and present, would not be possible without our people. The work of our employees, physicians, scientists, learners and volunteers are a guiding force in advancing our mission of discovering and delivering life-changing care.

To our Board, thank you for your commitment and passion as you serve our community through your dedication to Sinai Health.

Thank you to our donor community. Your unwavering support and generosity is a testament to the vibrant and dedicated community that surrounds Sinai Health and will continue to propel us forward.

Sincerely,