Message from our Leaders
This past year at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) has been one of remarkable progress, innovation, and steadfast commitment to the individuals and families we serve. Guided by our Mission, Vision, and Values, we continue to walk alongside our patients, clients, families, and community, offering not only care, but hope, healing, and human connection.
In alignment with our Strategic Priorities, our teams have embraced opportunities to expand services, strengthen partnerships, and reach people where they are, ensuring care is not only accessible, but meaningful and responsive to evolving needs.
Among this year’s highlights is the expansion of specialized programs designed to better support patients and families. The launch of the Assertive Community Treatment Team for Children (ACT-C)—the first of its kind in Canada—represents a significant step forward in delivering family-centered mental healthcare in community settings. Together with our local Policing Partners, we introduced the Youth Crisis Response Teams, providing immediate support for the youth who need it today for a healthier tomorrow.
We also saw important growth in access to care through the opening of the Bob Probert Tecumseh Campus and the Toldo Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre, bringing essential outpatient and rehabilitation services closer to home. These new spaces enhance our ability to meet the needs of patients in more convenient and supportive environments.
Our commitment to mental health and addictions care has never been stronger, with the expansion of our Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre (MHAUCC) to 24/7 service, improving timely access for those in crisis, whenever they may need it. Our organization is also proud to be the host of one of Ontario’s Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub where those in our region facing unimaginable circumstances can find a safe place to land.
Beyond program growth, we remain deeply committed to reconciliation and culturally safe care. This year, we further advanced the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action for Health by opening a dedicated Indigenous Community Space, providing a place for reflection, connection, and cultural practices for Indigenous patients, families, and staff.
Our people continue to be the heart of everything we do. Through initiatives like our Be Vital recruitment campaign and recognition at local and provincial levels—including being inducted into Southwestern Ontario’s Top 100 Employers and the Platinum Level Gord Smith Healthy Workplace Award—we celebrate the passion, dedication, and expertise of our teams and aim to strengthen our workforce with continuous learning and high-quality recruitment. Whether at the bedside, in the community, or behind the scenes, their work is a testament to the power of care that sees the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
We are also proud to have strengthened our role as a community partner as our teams participated in local Care Fairs, advancing innovative treatment approaches, and contributing to national work in areas such as Ontario Shores’ Schizophrenia Project. These efforts reflect our belief that collaboration is key to building a healthier future.
All of these successes directly complement the Strategic Initiatives set forth in our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, contributing to over 50 Initiatives that were completed or in progress during Year 2 of our Plan. Additional key initiatives that were completed include System Partnership planning which includes thorough review of community-based working groups and advisory committees, ensuring HDGH is at the right tables to impact partnerships and local improvements; exploring and implementing Ministry Initiatives for nursing resources through the nursing extern program and clinical scholar position; reviewing our internal evaluation framework for our Research and Evaluation department; and Transformation Projects within our Withdrawal Management Services and Toldo Neurobehavioural Institute, ensuring programming and staffing meet the unique needs of our patients. These completed Initiatives reflect the tremendous work of our teams and the trust of our patients and partners.
As we look ahead, we do so with faith, humility, and hope. We will continue to invest in programs and services that meet the changing needs of our community, including planning for future Long-Term Care expansion and enhancing access to specialized care. We remain committed to building upon this strong foundation as we expand programs, advance innovation, strengthen partnerships, and ensure every patient and client experience reflects our values of kindness, teamwork, expertise, and social responsibility.
To our employees, professional staff, volunteers, patients, clients, families, and community partners—thank you. It is through your trust, generosity, and shared commitment that we are able to continue this life-changing work.