The staff at Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at SHN’s General hospital are being recognized in this year’s Urban Hero Awards – an awards celebration honouring unsung community heroes.

Both SHN staff and the ICU unit were among eight winners in the “People’s Choice Award” category. Winners were chosen based on online voting selection by Metroland Toronto’s (Scarborough Mirror, North York Mirror and Etobicoke Guardian) internal awards committee.

General’s ICU unit won, not only for its continued dedication and courage on the frontlines, but for the team’s safe and compassionate patient care, each and every day.

“Our General hospital ICU team has gone to extraordinary lengths to care for our patients during the pandemic,” explained Dr. Martin Betts, SHN’s chief and medical director of Intensive Care. “During Wave 3, when ICUs across Ontario were stretched to the breaking point, and Scarborough’s infection rates were soaring, our team was fearless, and carried positivity, hope and a sense of comfort to our patients and their loved ones. Serving this strong and vibrant community is more than a job – it is a privilege every day.”

From the ICU unit, to SHN as its entirety – our health network shows it is strongest when we are together.

“It has been an unbelievably tough 18 months, but our SHN team is resilient,” said Elizabeth Buller, SHN’s President and CEO. “Through the pandemic, our team has redoubled our focus on providing compassionate and safe care to our patients, families, and community. There have been a lot of hard days, but, over and over, I have seen our staff and medical staff act with compassion and courage as they have found innovative and inclusive solutions to the challenges that we have faced during this pandemic. Our team inspires me every day.”

Created in 2009, the Urban Hero Awards recognizes 16 community champions in eight categories, including Arts, Business, Education, Environment, Good Neighbour, Health, Social Issues, and Sports.
“From teachers to neighbours, to gardeners and caregivers, student activists to business leaders, our selection of nominees includes people from all walks of life and all corners of Toronto,” reads urbanheroes.ca.

Due to public health guidelines, the annual in-person Gala has been canceled. However, on October 28, Metroland Media will be delivering a commemorative Urban Heroes Award Section across Toronto to recognize and highlight the 16 winners.

Metroland Toronto is also asking community members to spread the news and well wishes to all the winners at this year’s Urban Hero Awards.

For more information, please visit urbanheroes.ca