The CEO News Desk features a message from David Graham, President and CEO of Scarborough Health Network, in Network News, our monthly e-newsletter. To receive Network News and other messages to the community in your inbox, subscribe today.

Grit got us here, but you keep us going

This month, I welcome Alicia Vandermeer, President and CEO, SHN Foundation, back to the CEO News Desk. Together, we are excited to share with you the evolution of the immensely successful Love, Scarborough fundraising campaign, demonstrating the resilience and determination of SHN healthcare workers as they provide exceptional quality care to patients. 

This grit has allowed our people to overcome and do more than anyone thought possible, with less than anyone could imagine. Now, we are asking donors to imagine what we could do with more support.

Dr. Mayoorendra Ravichandiran, an SHN emergency doctor and one of 11 new faces for the fundraising campaign, knows first-hand the challenges that come with aging hospitals that have been left behind, working in emergency departments that haven’t seen expansion in decades and are at double their intended capacity. 

With invigorated support and new donors, SHN will address urgent needs, like new emergency departments, and look beyond to become a leader in research, education, and medical innovation. Donations for Love, Scarborough will drive progress forward and support capital projects, including:

  • Creating Toronto’s most modern Diagnostic Imaging Department at General Hospital;
  • Building Canada’s first no-wait Emergency Department at Centenary Hospital;
  • Removing barriers to community mental health care across the network;
  • Innovating chronic kidney disease and diabetes treatment through the Bridletowne Neighbourhood Centre; and
  • Evolving research and education to support the new SHN Research Institute and Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health in partnership with the University of Toronto.

Generous donors and supporters across Toronto and the GTA responded loud and clear to Love, Scarborough’s original rallying cry to “back us up,” raising an incredible $160 million to help close the gap between exceptional care and aging facilities. These critical funds are finally allowing SHN to begin to address significant obstacles after decades of being left behind.

This is only the beginning. Every gift to SHN makes a difference, no matter the size, helping to upgrade Scarborough’s hospitals to a level equal to the incredible people who live and work here. We would be deeply grateful if you told your family and friends about Love, Scarborough, and what we are working to accomplish. Learn more at LoveScarborough.ca. 

Thank you for your support.

David Graham
President and CEO
SHN

Alicia Vandermeer
President and CEO
SHN Foundation