Mayor Bevilacqua: Vaughan is advancing world-class healthcare innovation

July 6, 2022 1:00 p.m.
The Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct partnership is expanding research, education and innovation facilities

The following statement was issued by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua after an announcement was made today on immediate next steps for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct:

"I am pleased to announce that the City of Vaughan is advancing the next stage of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct (VHCP) partnership by allocating land to establish the physical presence of York University and ventureLAB in Vaughan, as well as supporting the expansion of Mackenzie Health.

"Immediate next steps are underway to develop York University's proposal to establish new health research and teaching facilities as well as a long-term care facility, including future expansion of Mackenzie Health and relocation of ventureLAB's Hardware Catalyst Initiative for MedTech, to support the next generation of healthcare delivery in Vaughan. This represents a significant milestone in transforming the corner of Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 400 into a world-class healthcare innovation hub. 

"In close partnership with Mackenzie Health, York University and ventureLAB, the City of Vaughan leads the VHCP, a first-of-its-kind initiative to transform the lands surrounding Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital into an epicentre of healthcare excellence. In October 2019, our co-operative efforts were formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Less than three years later, today's announcement marks a significant milestone for the VHCP and our long-standing partnership, which aims to bring economic growth and new jobs to Vaughan.

"Each member organization's expertise and physical location collectively provides an opportunity to leverage cross-disciplinary knowledge and produce the next generation of healthcare delivery, talent and technologies. 

"With the addition of the recently announced long-term care facility, Vaughan has solidified its place as the next hub for healthcare innovation and delivery in Ontario and Canada.

"The City of Vaughan understands that healthcare is at the heart of city building. We are taking an innovative approach to 21st-century healthcare to meet our city’s current needs and future growth. Our vision for the VHCP is a world-class health innovation destination that will enhance the city's social and economic vitality while producing economic impact within the region and beyond. 

"After a decade-long journey, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opened its doors as a full-service community hospital in 2021. It is Canada's first smart hospital, leveraging integrated technology systems and digital communication to provide world-class healthcare and a truly connected patient experience. It is the anchor of the VHCP and is among the many transformational city-building initiatives driving Vaughan's trajectory to new and unprecedented heights.

“Vaughan is outpacing national, provincial and regional growth rates with real GDP growth at seven per cent. Since 2010, more than $15 billion in building permits have been issued and 70,000 jobs have been created. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre is expanding well beyond projected growth at a rate of 267 per cent. Key investments in transit, housing, environment, education, healthcare and infrastructure provide residents with a high standard of living and exceptional quality of life – making the city of Vaughan the city of choice. 

"I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of our VHCP partners – Mackenzie Health, York University and ventureLAB – and extend my gratitude for their commitment to working collaboratively to deliver in our shared mission to solidify Vaughan as a world-class destination for healthcare innovation. We have been successful in pooling our collective resources and leveraging our unique skillsets to bring world-class healthcare, innovation and jobs to our growing community."

QUOTES

"Celebrating this milestone puts us one step closer to achieving a centre of health care excellence in Vaughan. We're excited to work with our partners to explore what's possible and to create a precinct that serves the health care needs of our rapidly growing community across western York Region."

- Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health

“The Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct is designed to enhance the health and well-being of the community in one of Canada’s most diverse and fastest growing regions. In collaboration with the City of Vaughan, Makenzie Health and ventureLAB, York University will play a lead role in integrating education,  professional training, research and innovation, to build sustainable and culturally-affirming health care that is data informed and digitally-enabled. By supporting lifelong learning, and translating research and innovation into policy and practice, we will be able to optimize the delivery of health services and support the development of novel approaches, driving positive change for the communities we serve.

- Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University

"ventureLAB is proud to partner with the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Health and York University to build a world-class health innovation cluster centered around the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. Leveraging our innovation and commercialization expertise, we look forward to working with scale-ready tech founders that are building transformational products and solutions to support the best and brightest healthcare workers, innovators and talent."

- Matt Skynner, Chief Operating Officer, ventureLAB

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