Mayor Bevilacqua: Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opens as full-service hospital
The following statement was issued by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua to mark the opening of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital as a full-service hospital on Sunday, June 6:
“Today, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital officially opened its doors as a full-service community hospital.
After more than a decade-long journey, Vaughan is emerging as an epicentre of healthcare excellence in Canada. As home to the country’s first smart technology hospital and the first net new hospital to open in Ontario in 30 years, I look forward to the important role this state-of-the-art facility will play in addressing the healthcare needs of our city for years to come. From welcoming new life to helping citizens in their most critical time of need, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will create a world-class health experience for patients, families and clinicians.
“As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, in a region where the population is expected to grow more than 35 per cent over the next 20 years, residents deserve access to safe, quality care provided by leading healthcare experts. Accessible, front-line care for all citizens is among our top priorities in Vaughan, and we will continue to work in support of this mission every day.
“Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is home to Mackenzie Health’s Woman and Child and Inpatient Mental Health programs and the Inpatient Integrated Stroke unit. It also offers emergency and modern surgical services, advanced diagnostic imaging capabilities, specialized clinics and intensive care beds, medicine, birthing, pediatrics and many specialized programs.
“The hospital has capacity for up to 350 patient beds with room to grow to up to 550 beds. It will generate more than 1,000 jobs in the community and has the ability to adapt over time as new technologies and industry standards emerge.
“Vaughan’s new hospital was designed through the eyes of the patient’s needs and enabled by smart technology. It is a cornerstone of our city-building efforts and demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together.
“Bringing this 1.2 million-square-foot facility to fruition was made possible thanks to the compassionate, hard-working and dedicated citizens of Vaughan. They believed in the vision to create a world-class health experience in our city, and today, their efforts have been realized. As Chair of Mackenzie Health Foundation's $250-million Ultimate campaign, I am proud to announce we have raised more than $200 million to date towards our goal.
“Our community has waited patiently for the doors of our new hospital to open. In February, we were pleased to answer the call of service and support the Province of Ontario in their response to the global pandemic. On Feb. 7, 2021, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opened initially with an exclusive focus on supporting the surge in critical and acute care volumes in the healthcare system. On that day, we answered the call of history.
“Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is a testament to our shared values of resilience, dedication and perseverance. Healthcare is indeed at the heart of city-building, and as we look toward the future, we will continue to identify transformational opportunities to maximize land use surrounding the hospital. The Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct will leverage healthcare, innovation and create jobs to advance our growing community. It will be a place that will connect people and spaces to advance a shared vision of healthcare excellence.
“I want to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the ongoing support of our exceptional citizens, Mackenzie Health leadership, staff, healthcare workers and community partners throughout this journey. I also want to thank the Province of Ontario and the Regional Municipality of York for helping to make Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital a reality and believing in the future of healthcare in our city.
“Vaughan’s first smart hospital is here, and it is ready to serve our community for generations to come.”
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