Healthcare at the heart of city-building: Mayor Bevilacqua

July 2, 2020 3:00 p.m.
​Vision, commitment and planning shape Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct

The first of a three-phase feasibility study to transform Vaughan into a leader in healthcare research, innovation and opportunity is now complete. 

The Phase 1 Draft Study was prepared by UrbanMetrics, Sajecki Consulting, Strategy Corp. and the Lura Group for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct (VHCP). The consulting consortium was selected in a competitive procurement process by the VHCP partnership made up of the City of Vaughan, York University, Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB, to undertake a feasibility study to identify transformational opportunities that will maximize the use of lands surrounding the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. 

Key findings from the draft study include the following:

  • The VHCP partnership, planned and implemented at the start of the development process, is unique in Canada.
  • Key in the development of healthcare innovation districts is the partnership of education, healthcare and innovative industry. Most examples reviewed include two of the three components. Vaughan has all three.
  • The proposed location presents no major challenges to achieving the vision for the initiative.
  • The City’s demographics, including educational attainment and overall growth, are favourable for its development. 

In June 2019, Council approved moving forward with funding and undertaking the study. In October of that year, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua took part in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Vaughan, York University, Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB. The following month, Mayor Bevilacqua led a trade mission to Israel. The delegation included partners from the VHCP project. They met with Dr. Rafael Beyar, an experienced, accomplished and trusted leader at the world-class Rambam Medical Center – one of the largest medical centres in Israel. Dr. Beyar discussed his country’s extensive efforts to bring together startups and academic institutions to create medical breakthroughs and enhance front-line health services. This was followed by a study tour of the Rambam Medical Center and The Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital to learn of cutting-edge technologies and proven best practices that are improving patient care.

On June 16, Mayor Bevilacqua joined Premier Doug Ford and other dignitaries to acknowledge another milestone in the City’s healthcare journey at the official naming ceremony of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. The new $1.6-billion Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will be Vaughan’s first hospital, the first new hospital built in York Region in more than 30 years and Canada's first smart hospital. The 1.2-million square-foot site can house up to 550 hospital beds. The hospital will employ more than 1,800 full-time hospital staff. It will feature fully integrated smart technology systems and medical devices that can speak directly to one another, creating improved patient care.

Mayor Bevilacqua chairs Mackenzie Health Foundation’s $250-million Ultimate Campaign, which has raised $177 million toward its final goal which covers the community share of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital project. 

The Building Standards department reports that on Friday, June 26, occupancy was authorized for the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. The issuance of the occupancy permit will allow the hospital to enter the next phase – the fit-out of equipment that will support the health care functions. The Building Standards department will continue to work with the constructor to close outstanding permits as the remaining work is completed. These works are anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2020.

QUOTES

“Long before the world had ever heard of COVID-19, the City of Vaughan began preparing for a future with healthcare at the heart of city-building. The goal of this unique partnership is for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct to leverage resources to bring healthcare, innovation and jobs to our growing community. This site has the potential to be a place that will connect people and spaces and bring together different sectors to become an epicentre of healthcare excellence felt across Canada. The new hospital will be the anchor of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct Project – a first-of-its-kind initiative in Vaughan. The provincial government made the right decision to ensure construction presses ahead during these uncertain times.”
-        Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua 

“This unique partnership aimed at defining the possibilities for the lands that surround the new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital has brought representatives from across our community together to establish our region as a centre of excellence in healthcare. We’re excited to be part of this one-of-a-kind collaboration which will help bring investment, innovation and jobs to our region above and beyond those that come with building a new hospital.”
- Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health 

"ventureLAB is proud to be the founding innovation partner for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. This first-of-its-kind project is future-proofing Canada by putting innovation at the forefront of healthcare and is a game-changer for healthcare delivery. Driven by innovation and the commercialization of technologically advanced, globally competitive solutions that solve real-life healthcare challenges in our local and global community, this project will improve patient care, attract and retain a new generation of entrepreneurial and diverse talent, and amplify the strength of this Region as a leading tech cluster at the heart of Ontario's innovation corridor." 
-        Melissa Chee, President and CEO, ventureLAB 

“York is proud to partner with the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Health and ventureLab to advance our shared vision. We are ideally positioned to significantly advance health and healthcare innovation, research and education in Vaughan and beyond.  For more than 20 years, York has been growing its research and education programs in health and healthcare in areas such as kinesiology, psychology, nursing, global health, health promotion, health informatics, health management, disability studies and neuroscience. Our health programs are defined by community collaboration and partnership, and grounded by a shared commitment to keep more people healthier for longer. In the midst of a global pandemic, there is no more important priority than health and healthcare, and no better time to be at the forefront of education and research in health and healthcare.”
-        Rhonda L. Lenton, President & Vice-Chancellor, York University 

QUICK FACTS

  • As part of Small Business Week 2019, Mayor Bevilacqua announced that the City of Vaughan and ventureLAB have partnered to provide enhanced services to help entrepreneurs market their ideas, develop new and innovative services and remain ahead of the competition.
  • The anticipated cost to complete the study is $210,000. The City of Vaughan is funding the study, which was approved by Council as part of the 2019 Budget approval process.
  • The complete and final study is on track to be finished on time by the end of 2020. 

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