Statement: Exceptional progress on Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement regarding the ongoing progress of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. An updated report was presented to Council at today’s Committee of the Whole (2) meeting:

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Bill Kiru, Acting Deputy City Manager of the City’s Planning and Growth Management department and Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health, for their presentations to Council today on the progress of this integral project.

“Construction of Vaughan’s first hospital continues to progress, and we are now less than a year away until the doors open to welcome the first patient. To ensure the building code is compliant, hundreds of inspections have been performed by the City’s Building Standards department and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is coming to fruition, and we are committed to working with our community partners to bring this much-anticipated venture across the finish line.

“Providing accessible, front-line care for all citizens is among our top priorities in Vaughan, and we continue to work in support of this mission every day. We are taking an innovative approach to 21st-century healthcare to meet the current needs of our city and to forecast future growth. 

“The City of Vaughan will be home to Canada’s first smart hospital. Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first hospital to be built in York Region in more than 30 years. 

“As Chair of Mackenzie Health Foundation’s Ultimate Campaign, I am pleased to report we have raised more than $175 million toward the $250-million goal, and it is with great appreciation that I thank our generous donors for their steadfast support of this unprecedented city-building initiative. 

“The 1.2-million square-foot facility is the first in the country to feature fully integrated smart technology systems and medical devices that can speak directly to one another to maximize patient care. Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will house up to 550 beds and will have a full-service emergency room, surgical services and operating rooms, technologically-advanced diagnostic imaging and specialized ambulatory clinics. It has been built with the patient and caregiver experience in mind, and with a flexible design to allow for adaptation over time as new technologies and industry standards emerge. 

“In addition to providing citizens with access to healthcare, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will generate more than 1,800 jobs in the community, supported by the talent pool necessary to deliver these essential services. With the addition of the Niagara University Vaughan site, we are ensuring we have the workforce to sustain and advance the capabilities of this unique facility for years to come.

“Creating opportunities for improved services in Vaughan ultimately comes down to effective partnerships. The Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct is a first-of-its-kind initiative that will bring medical services, modernization and jobs to our growing community. Last October, we signed a memorandum of understanding with Mackenzie Health, York University and ventureLAB to identify transformational opportunities to maximize the best use of lands surrounding the site of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital through a feasibility study.

“The state-of-the-art institution will support other uses, including medical offices, labs and research spaces, incubators, and education and conference rooms. It will be a place for thought leaders and subject matter experts to come together to advance a shared vision of healthcare innovation.

“The Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will provide individuals and families with the comfort of knowing reliable and exceptional care is right here in our community. I look forward to the day when we will open the doors and mark the arrival of top-tier healthcare to Vaughan. This is the gift of a lifetime. It represents enlightened leadership and the deep-rooted understanding that, when motivated by noble intentions, positive outcomes can have far-reaching effects.

“I extend my warmest and sincerest gratitude to our citizens for their unwavering dedication and commitment to this facility. Your generous support of the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital demonstrates a personal investment in the future of our city, and thanks to your contributions, the future looks bright.

“Creating Vaughan’s first hospital is a cornerstone of our city-building efforts and is a demonstration of what can be achieved when we work together. The spirit of generosity is alive and well in our community, and for Vaughan, the best is yet to come.”

LEARN MORE

• A groundbreaking collaboration puts healthcare in Vaughan at the forefront news release
• Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital webpage
• Mackenzie Health Foundation Ultimate Campaign webpage

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