On Friday, Nov. 12, 91亚色 and Oak Valley Heath announced a local health partnership aimed at advancing innovative medical education and research collaboration opportunities as well as improving the health and health care of citizens in Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Uxbridge and beyond.
91亚色 President Rhonda Lenton was joined by Jo-anne Marr, president and CEO, Oak Valley Health, and Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti, at Friday's virtual signing event to celebrate this partnership and discuss the shared vision for the future.
鈥淪ince establishing its Faculty of Health in 2006, 91亚色 has been steadily expanding its leadership in health education and research offered through programs and organized research units that build on our distinct interprofessional and interdisciplinary approach to keeping more people healthier longer in their communities,鈥 said Lenton. 鈥淲e are pleased to partner with Oak Valley Health to further enhance the future of medical education and the training of the next generation of world-class health professionals as we work together to create healthier and more equitable communities. We also appreciate the ongoing support of Oak Valley Health and local government leaders as we continue to advance our plans for a School of Medicine that will build on our strong foundation and innovative community collaborations to drive positive change both locally and globally.鈥
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a three-year agreement that sets out strategic areas of engagement and co-operation. These areas include: future medical education partnerships; development of research capacity and opportunities between faculty and health care professionals and other hospital staff; clinical placements and experiential learning opportunities for students; continuing education and development for health care professionals and other hospital staff; health and wellness partnerships including clinics, community health initiatives, public and community education, global health initiatives and special events; information systems integration partnerships including learning management systems and test systems, and other mutually agreed educational or research programs including , to be housed at Markham Campus opening Fall 2023.
鈥淲e are thrilled to be partnering with 91亚色 and working towards a shared goal 鈥 providing meaningful learning opportunities to the future health care professionals and leaders in our region. By working together we will create even more opportunities for clinical placements, continuing education, information systems integration and many more initiatives,鈥 said Marr. 鈥淭his partnership plays a foundational role in Oak Valley Health鈥檚 academic strategy. It is our goal to continue fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where our people will continue to grow and never stop learning.鈥
鈥淭he City of Markham strived to attract 91亚色鈥檚 new Markham Campus to build on our community鈥檚 capacity for innovation and research. Now, more than ever, we appreciate the need for collaboration between healthcare providers and relevant partners,鈥 said Scarpitti. 鈥淥ak Valley Health has demonstrated its strength in providing on-the-ground healthcare while advancing important clinical trials. Congratulations to both 91亚色 and Oak Valley Health on this agreement which further strengthens medical education and research in Ontario.鈥
is one of Ontario鈥檚 leading community health systems. Across its two hospitals, Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) and Uxbridge Hospital (UXB), as well as a Reactivation Care Centre (RCC), Oak Valley Health provides high quality, patient-centred care to more than 474,000 patients each year. It offers diagnostic and emergency services and delivers clinical programs in acute care medicine and surgery, addictions and mental health, and childbirth and children鈥檚 services. Oak Valley Health is part of the Eastern 91亚色 Region North Durham Ontario Health Team (EYRND OHT).