2022-2023 Report

Interim President, John Aldis looking directly at the camera

Message from John Aldis, Interim President of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

At St. Joe’s, people are at the heart of everything we do.

I am pleased to present this year’s Community Report, a testament to the remarkable journey we have undertaken together. In this report, you will find the stories, achievements, and milestones that reflect our commitment to providing exceptional health care. While our programs, innovations, and accomplishments are indeed impressive, I want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the true driving force behind our success: our dedicated team – our people.

Our healthcare workers are the heartbeat of our organization.

The past year has brought its fair share of challenges. The pandemic has had a lingering impact, especially on health human resources. The challenge of recruiting and retaining front-line healthcare workers is being felt across the sector – and St. Joe’s is no exception. To support our people, a renewed focus has been placed on action plans for retention, recruitment, professional development, and a supportive work environment that enables personal growth. By fostering a culture of empathy, inclusivity, and continuous learning, we can create an environment where all of our people can thrive both professionally and personally.

By attending to our people, we are investing in the future of St. Joe’s.

Our mission at St. Joe’s is one of service – we are here to care for our patients and our community. In this 2022-23 Community Report, you will find stories of how we carry out that mission with innovation, compassion, and learning, where patients and their families are partners in care.

Among the many stories in this report, you will read about how we have extended care in the community through the innovation of the Mobile Mental Health Clinic and the Satellite Health Facility; how we honour the lives of patients in their final moments in our Critical Care Unit by fulfilling a wish at the end of life; and how our commitment to groundbreaking research is fostered by a culture of continuous learning.

I joined St. Joe’s as Senior Vice-President Finance and Corporate Services just as the pandemic began and experienced the extraordinary culture and alignment to mission at St. Joe’s. Since May, I have also had the privilege of serving as Interim President until our new President, Michael Heenan, joins us in late November. I am continually inspired by the passion and resilience that each person brings to St. Joe’s and the unwavering dedication and commitment to our patients and their families.

I see a bright future for St. Joe’s, one filled with learning, innovation, compassionate patient-centered care, and new opportunities to meaningfully impact the lives of our patients and the community.

Sincerely,

John Aldis
Interim President
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Dr. Bobby Shayegan, Chief of Surgery at St. Joe’s, using the da Vinci Xi surgical robot

Message from Elizabeth Buller, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health System

I am honoured to have this opportunity to reflect on the achievements of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Health care has always been a place of opportunity and challenges, and the past year has presented these in spades as we deal with the wake of the pandemic. St. Joe’s is particularly practiced in this area. Our mission – to care for those most in need – is built on the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who began caring for this community during the cholera epidemic. Challenged by lack of medical structure, they cared for the ill in a railway shed, and seized opportunity to begin building what would eventually become a multi-site St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Today, St. Joe’s in Hamilton is part of St. Joseph’s Health System, one of the largest health systems in Canada, encompassing five geographic locations in Southern Ontario, more than 8,000 staff, and caring for a population of more than 2 million people, from birth to death, in home, hospital and long-term care.

This 2022-23 Community Report represents how St. Joe’s Hamilton has continued to provide innovative and compassionate care during a most challenging time. I have the deepest respect and immense gratitude for our healthcare workers, physicians, volunteers, and learners, who have ensured that this community is cared for amidst increasing demands.

Looking at the past year, research and education are once again flourishing at St. Joe’s. The Three Wishes project is an exemplary example of end-of-life care compassionate care at St. Joe’s, and it has been adopted at healthcare facilities located across the world. We are devoting resources and attention to ensuring our spaces are welcoming and equitable for diverse populations.

In the spirit of unity and community, I am pleased to have Michael Heenan join St. Joe’s in late November as its new president. Michael is a service-based leader, who values transparency, engagement, and collaboration, with an emphasis on quality of care. His leadership will undoubtedly continue the pathway of innovation and excellence in care for our patients and families.

It is with great pride that I once again thank all of those at St. Joe’s who showcase our mission and values, who continue to meet the challenges in healthcare, and find opportunity and fulfilment in caring for our community.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Buller
President and CEO
St. Joseph’s Health System

Chair of the St. Joseph's Hamilton Joint Boards of Governors, Barbara Beaudoin looking directly at the camera

Message from Barbara Beaudoin, Chair of the St. Joseph’s Hamilton Joint Boards of Governors

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission.

On behalf of the St. Joseph’s Joint Boards of Governors, I am pleased to address you as the new Board Chair in this year’s Community Report, and I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible dedication of our healthcare workers.

As I step into this role, I am deeply humbled by the passion and commitment within our organization, as well as the sense of purpose that permeates every department and role at St. Joe’s. Whether in the frontlines or behind the scenes, our staff, physicians, learners and volunteers share a common dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Our healthcare workers’ passion for their work is not only commendable but also contagious. It inspires our donors, partners, and the broader community to join us in our mission.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our outgoing Board Chair Lynn McNeil, for her exceptional leadership and tireless efforts in guiding our organization. Her contributions have been invaluable, and I am honored to follow in her footsteps.

As we reflect on the accomplishments and challenges in 2022-23, I also want to take this opportunity to introduce you to a new chapter in our journey. After a thorough and extensive process, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the new President, Michael Heenan to St. Joe’s.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and deeply thank our Interim President, John Aldis for his dedication to our mission during continuing challenging times in healthcare. We are very grateful for his leadership during this time.

We are here for our patients, their families, and our community. St. Joe’s was built on the foundation of serving those in need, and today that mission rings truer than ever, as you will see in the innovative and compassionate work showcased in this report.

As we look to the future, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I am confident that, with the continued dedication of our healthcare workers, the support of our community and partners, and the vision of our board, St. Joe’s will achieve even greater heights in the years to come.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every member of our healthcare team for their remarkable contributions. You are the are at the heart of everything we do, and your hard work and passion are the reasons we can celebrate our successes today.

Sincerely,

Barbara Beaudoin
Chair
St. Joseph’s Hamilton Joint Boards of Governors

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