Back to SearchAs William Osler Health System (Osler) marks the 50th anniversary of Etobicoke General Hospital on September 25, 2022, we pause to reflect on this significant milestone with a shared sense of pride and celebration with the community.
Even before opening its doors in 1972, the hospital was destined to enjoy long-standing and meaningful connections with the community, thanks in large part to a passionate group of local citizens – the Etobicoke General Hospital Auxiliary – who raised funds at that time to build a full service hospital in north Etobicoke to meet the health care needs of a growing community.
A question at the heart of planning the hospital was, “what will the patient want?”. That sentiment is still what drives us today and we value the input of Patient and Family Advisors who continue to help us shape key hospital policies, plans and initiatives at Osler. This special partnership with the community has supported Etobicoke General to continually evolve and deliver the programs and services the community needs, close to home.
Perhaps the most significant example of this vital collaboration is the recent expansion at Etobicoke General, with the Etobicoke Wellness Centre and a new modern patient tower, opening in 2018 and 2019 respectively. These buildings and the services within them reflect the voices and needs of today’s patients and their families, including a larger emergency department, specialty clinics for renal and diabetic care, and a bright, modern Birthing Unit. Osler’s generous donors and community members once again stepped forward to make this a reality, generously raising $25 million in what was the largest fundraising campaign in the hospital’s history.
Incredibly, Etobicoke General is also home to many health care innovations, including the first finger implantation in Ontario and Canada’s first laparoscopic hysterectomy. During the SARS pandemic in 2003, the Ontario government designated Etobicoke General as one of four key SARS hospitals. As the closest hospital to Pearson International Airport, Etobicoke General is also designated the ‘first responder' hospital during any medical crisis. And, as COVID-19 cases rose locally and across the province in April 2020, Etobicoke General played a key role in testing and vaccinating tens of thousands of residents in the community.
Etobicoke General’s illustrious legacy is possible thanks to so many: the dedicated Osler team members who provide exemplary patient care to close to 16,000 inpatients and enable more than 120,000 outpatient visits each year; the patients and families whose valued input shapes our services; our government partners, who ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our patients; our health system and academic partners who work alongside us to ensure the health of our community; and the donors whose commitment ensures that our teams have access to the facilities and essential equipment to provide the very best care for the community.
And of course, we thank our incredible, vibrant community for 50 years of unwavering support. We are so proud to be your hospital – the place where residents and families come to for care when it’s needed most. It continues to be an honour and privilege to serve you and your loved ones.
We are grateful to everyone who has played a role in Etobicoke General Hospital’s first five decades. We look forward to working together as we begin the next exciting chapter in the hospital’s long and proud history. Happy 50th Anniversary, Etobicoke General Hospital!
Dr. Frank Martino, President and CEO, and Linda Franklin, Chair, Board of Directors
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