Mayor Bevilacqua: Healthcare is the heart of city-building
The following statement was issued by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua after today’s inaugural Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct Advisory Task Force meeting:
"I was pleased to chair the inaugural meeting of the City of Vaughan's Hospital Advisory Task Force. Our mandate is to oversee the development of the vision and priorities for making Vaughan a globally recognized example of a healthy city. I want to express my appreciation and acknowledge the task force members for their important role, including my colleague, Marilyn Iafrate, Vice-Chair and Ward 1 Councillor; Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health; Melissa Chee, President and CEO, ventureLab and Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University.
"In October 2019, our co-operative efforts were formalized through a memorandum of understanding to undertake a feasibility study to identify the best use of lands surrounding the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, known as the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. This unique partnership aims to pool and leverage our resources to bring healthcare, innovation and jobs to our growing community. Nearly two years later, today's meeting marked a significant milestone for the partnership between the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Health, ventureLab and York University.
"I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our partners for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to this initiative. In my 2018 inaugural address, I committed to pursuing a bold vision for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. I am pleased and encouraged by the progress we've made so far.
"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 past 18 months have not been without challenges. However, the global pandemic has only reinforced our mission to advance the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. 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 in Canada.
"After a decade-long journey, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opened its doors as a full-service community hospital on June 6, 2021. It is the anchor of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct and a testament to our shared values of resilience, dedication and innovation.
"I am inspired by the members of Vaughan's Healthcare Centre Precinct Advisory Task Force. Our work today and throughout the term of the task force will set the direction and priorities for the future of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct as a magnet for health and healthcare delivery, education, research, innovation and commercialization. Working together, we remain committed to advancing our vision to create a world-class, health innovation destination that will enhance the City's social and economic vitality.
"Healthcare is indeed at the heart of city-building. As we move forward, we will continue to identify transformational opportunities to take Vaughan to the next level."
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