Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network

Happy Pride Season! 🌈

This June, we proudly raised the Progress Pride Flag to reaffirm our support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities and our commitment to inclusion.

The Progress Pride Flag reflects the diversity and intersectionality within 2SLGBTQI+ communities, symbolizing both the progress made and the work that continues toward equity, visibility and belonging.

We strive to create a healthcare environment where everyone feels welcomed and respected every day of the year.

Are you an East Toronto resident without a family doctor or nurse practitioner? East Toronto Health Partners can help connect you to a provider!

Several organizations in East Toronto are working together to match residents with primary care.

Sign up today! You are eligible if:

📌 You live within the East Toronto area; and

🩺 You do not currently have a family doctor/nurse practitioner, or are having trouble accessing your provider

To sign up and for more information, including FAQs and multi-language flyers: https://ethp.ca/primarycare/

Jugo Juice is now open in the Moez & Marissa Kassam Food Court at MGH, located in M1!

Fresh juices, smoothies, wraps and more are available Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by and check out the newest addition to our food court.

As a part of our commitment to provide low-barrier care for youth and young adults, MGH has joined as a partner at two Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario sites in East Toronto.

MGH is part of a team of organizations providing essential services at these sites for youth aged 12-25, such as mental health counselling, peer support, primary care and employment services. Services are free and don’t require a health card.

📌 In Thorncliffe Park, visit us at 45 Overlea Blvd. Unit 1A. For more details: http://ethp.ca/ThorncliffeYWHO

📌 In Scarborough, visit us at 1940 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 300. For more details: https://stridestoronto.ca/program-service/youth-wellness-hubs-ontario-toronto-east/

Services at both locations are provided by drop in. We hope to see you soon! 💚

Last weekend, our Indigenous Patient Navigator was honoured to participate in Honouring the Voices of the Future, a cultural festival and competition powwow hosted by Sage Enagb Indigenous Youth Agency (Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig, Aabiish Gaa Binjibaaying) at Woodbine Park.

This powerful celebration, led by Indigenous youth, brought together thousands of community members, artists, dancers and allies to honour Indigenous culture, leadership and connection.

We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with more than 100 community members, share information about our Indigenous Patient Navigator program and speak about how MGH is working to support Indigenous patients and families across East Toronto.

Miigwech to ENAGB, and to all the youth, Knowledge Keepers, dancers, drummers, Elders and community members who made this gathering so meaningful.

May is Speech and Hearing Month? 💬👂

At MGH, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a vital role in helping patients communicate, swallow safely and maintain social connection during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. 💜

This year’s theme “Access Changes Everything,” reflects the impact communication access can have on a patient’s care, dignity and quality of life.

“Communication is a human right,” says Soledad Silencieux, Speech-Language Pathologist at MGH. “We connect by talking. We share our needs, our feelings, our stories and our personalities through communication. When someone loses that ability, it changes everything.”

Learn more about the important role our SLPs play in helping patients find their voice: https://www.tehn.ca/about-us/newsroom/access-changes-everything-how-mgh-speech-language-pathologists-help-patients-find

To celebrate National Safety and Health Week, our Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness (OHSW) Team hosted their fourth annual fair for staff, physicians, learners and volunteers.

Over 250 people attended and learned about MGH’s health, safety and wellness initiatives to help promote safe workplace practices across the organization. They also enjoyed treats, played with therapy dogs and won prizes!

Thank you to everyone who attended and thank you for keeping MGH a safe place to work. 🤍

tells the stories of our people. In honour of Physiotherapy Month, meet Dylann Richard, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant at MGH.

“My role involves supporting patients through their recovery journey after surgery or injury, helping them regain mobility, strength and confidence in their daily lives,” says Dylann.

“I help patients get out of bed, move safely to a chair, complete exercises and build mobility throughout the day. Sometimes, that support is physical, but other times it’s emotional.

“The most rewarding part of my job is being with patients during some of the hardest moments they may experience and getting to witness their progress firsthand.”

Learn more about Dylann in our Newsroom: https://www.tehn.ca/about-us/newsroom/iammgh-meet-dylann-richard

Last week, MGH’s Nursing Innovation Program hosted the second annual Spotlight on Nursing Excellence Expo! 🎉

The two-day Expo celebrated nursing excellence and showcased nurse-led research, unit-based practice projects and specialty nursing practice from across the hospital.

Across the two days, more than 750 attendees joined to explore work from 25 nursing teams and specialties, featuring clinical skill teaching, interactive presentations and quality improvement initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, volunteered and helped make this year’s Expo a success!

A special thanks to Melanie Kohn, President and CEO of MGH, Mikki Layton, MGH’s Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President of Professional Practice, Programs and Scholarship, Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada and Dr. Karima Velji, Chief of Nursing & Professional Practice and Assistant Deputy Minister for the Province of Ontario for speaking at the event.

At MGH, we’re continuing to invest in modern equipment to support safe, high-quality care.

Our Stavro Emergency Department (ED) now has a new X-ray machine, replacing a unit that had been in use for over 20 years. This upgrade will support faster diagnosis and an improved experience for both patients and staff.

Here’s how this new technology is making a difference:

⚡ Faster imaging to support quicker diagnosis

️🩻 Lower radiation doses for safer care

🔍 Enhanced image quality for more accurate results

⚙️ Advanced automation to improve workflow and reduce staff fatigue

X-rays are one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools in the ED, used in roughly every third visit, making this upgrade especially meaningful for both patients and care teams.

We’re grateful to donors including Peter & Diana Thomson for making this possible and to the many teams who supported a smooth and efficient installation.