NationTalk: Yesterday Niagara Health held its first in-person Annual Meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic and released its 2022-23 Annual Report.

This was an opportunity to mark our progress recovering from challenges resulting from the pandemic, profile significant achievements and investments in both our people and in innovation and recommit to our core mission as an acute and emergency care organization.

Key accomplishments include:

• Putting people first through measures to support, improve and enhance the patient experience – from new mattresses to the introduction of SeamlessMD, a digital care tool for patients undergoing a range of surgeries
• Launching the Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation team to improve care and experience for Indigenous patients and families
• Equipping Niagara Health team members with the tools for success, including Vocera, a powerful clinical communication tool
• Empowering the delivery of safe and effective care through the creation of the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute, with a mission to advance healthcare though research, quality improvement and education
• Transforming how we work with new tools like SCOPE, a seamless collaboration tool, bringing hospital, primary care and community-based providers together to support patients with complex needs
• Making significant progress on the new South Niagara Hospital

The cover of this year’s annual report features artwork by artist, Delbert (JayR) Jonathan depicting Turtle Island with a medicine wheel at the centre. The art creates a visual identity for Niagara Health’s Indigenous Health and Reconciliation team. The original painting will be proudly displayed in the St. Catharines Emergency Department with reproductions at our other sites.

“The Niagara Health team has demonstrated remarkable resilience and agility as it adapts to the post-pandemic operating environment and advances its goals while always staying true to its purpose. On behalf of the Board, I thank every member of the team for their tireless work over the past year.”

Berenice (Bunny) Alexander

Chair, Board of Directors

“Through our Annual General Meeting and in the pages of this year’s annual report, we recognize the efforts made by our people over the past year to steer through the pandemic, enhance healthcare in Niagara and achieve significant progress in many areas despite very trying circumstances. Looking ahead, the strength and commitment of our people will help us continue to care for Niagara region’s diverse and growing population.”

Lynn Guerriero

President and Chief Executive Officer

“I am proud to stand alongside our physicians and staff who have, over the past year, demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the patients we serve. Together we have deepened our collaborations with our partners across the region and beyond, sought new ways to deliver care and supported the education and training of tomorrow’s healthcare professionals.”

Dr. Johan Viljoen

Executive Vice-President, Medical; Chief of Staff