Vaughan/Richmond Hill, ON – Mackenzie Health is celebrating Doctors’ Day on May 1st, and was proud to have been a partner in helping Doctors’ Day become officially recognized. Hon. Reza Moridi, MPP of Richmond Hill, worked with the hospital to formally acknowledge the efforts of physicians across the province and brought forward a motion to declare May 1st Doctors’ Day in the Ontario Legislature in 2011.
Since 2009, Mackenzie Health has been honouring its physicians every spring to recognize the important role they have in creating a world-class health experience for patients and families.
Every day in our hospital and in the surrounding community, our doctors demonstrate leadership, share best practices and support others in the health care field with their specialized expertise and skill.
Quick Facts about Mackenzie Health’s Doctors
- May 1st was chosen for Doctors’ Day because it is the birthday of the first female physician in Canada, Dr. Emily Stowe.
- Mackenzie Health credentialed its first physicians on December 10, 1963. Since then, its medical staff has grown from the original 48 members to 401 physicians who practice in over 30 specialties.
- One hundred and sixteen family practitioners have privileges at the hospital.
- Members of our medical staff range in age from 25 to 75 and over a quarter are female.
- The hospital hosts student physicians from universities such as the University of Toronto, McMaster, Ryerson, the University of Western Ontario and out of Province. Student doctors work areas across the facility including the Emergency
Quotes
“Doctors’ Day is a day to thank and recognize our physicians for their ongoing efforts as key members of the health care team. The scope and breadth of the specialties available at our hospital is due to the expertise and dedication of our physicians.”
- Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health
“I am pleased to have played a key role in having Doctors’ Day recognized across Ontario. I was inspired to introduce a motion in the Ontario Legislature recognizing the hard work and commitment of physicians across the province. On April 7th, 2011, I brought a motion forward to recognize May 1, Doctors’ Day, in Ontario and it has been recognized as such, since that time.’”
- Hon. Reza Moridi, MPP for Richmond Hill
“The expertise of our physicians is incorporated in all aspects of decision making and planning at Mackenzie Health. From committees and working groups to planning and prioritizing for the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, physicians play a key role in continuing to offer expert care for our community.”
- Dr. Luke Bui, Interim Chief of Staff, Mackenzie Health
- 30 -
Backgrounder on Mackenzie Health
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Mackenzie Health is a new regional healthcare provider for Southwest York Region offering much needed healthcare services through the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a network of community services located in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the surrounding communities.
- With over 600,000 residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.
- In October of 2009, the Government of Ontario designated Mackenzie Health (formerly known as York Central Hospital) to plan, build and operate the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Since that time, Mackenzie Health has moved quickly through the government-mandated planning process and has approval to issue tender documents in 2014/15.
- The new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first new hospital to be built in Southwest York Region in 50 years.
- Construction on the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to begin in 2015/16.
- Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be completed and operational in 2019.