Pacemaker clinic marks first step in partnership to deliver more cardiac care closer to home
Today, at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Mackenzie Health and Southlake Health announced a new partnership to expand access to advanced cardiac care in York Region and beyond. This multi-year, phased collaboration will begin by establishing a pacemaker device clinic at Mackenzie Health, offering patients timely, high-quality care even closer to home.
“This collaboration is an important milestone for the patients we serve in this fast-growing region,” said Mary-Agnes Wilson, Interim President and CEO, Mackenzie Health. “By partnering with Southlake’s cardiac experts, we can expand advanced heart services, ease the travel burden for patients and families and ensure timely, specialized care in our own community.”
When patients think of advanced cardiac care, they often consider large academic hospitals in Toronto. However, as a Level 7 Regional Cardiac Program, Southlake is nationally and internationally recognized for its innovation in patient care and clinical research – delivering leading edge cardiac care expected downtown, closer to home. This new partnership will extend expertise, making it even more convenient for patients to access a specialized pacemaker clinic, and in future stages, implantable device clinics in their own communities.
“As a leading provider of cardiac care, Southlake is committed to expanding access to lifesaving services through strategic partnerships,” said Dr. Paul Woods, President and CEO, Southlake Health. “By working together with Mackenzie Health, we can ensure more patients receive timely, high-quality cardiac care while supporting the growth of specialized services in the region.”
By teaming up, Southlake and Mackenzie Health will strengthen cardiac services in York Region, increase capacity and lay the groundwork for a Level 4 cardiac centre of excellence at Mackenzie Health.
A memorandum of understanding was signed earlier today outlining key principles for collaboration, including:
- Supporting each other’s efforts to provide world-class cardiac care
- Enhancing capacity at both organizations
- Setting joint performance targets to measure care quality and efficiency
- Exploring joint ventures to strengthen cardiac services
In addition to the new pacemaker clinic, the partnership will gradually add more advanced heart services at Mackenzie Health over the coming years. These services are already available at Southlake and expanding them locally will make it easier for patients and families to access the care they need.
Future phases are expected to include pacemaker and defibrillator insertion procedures, as well as a catheterization laboratory with state-of-the-art tools to allow for angiograms to detect blockages or narrowing and interventions such as angioplasty and stent placements to open blocked arteries. All of this will follow Ontario Health’s established framework and approval process, ensuring services grow in a way that is safe, co-ordinated, and aligned with provincial standards.
As part of this collaboration, Southlake Health will provide education and training for Mackenzie Health staff and physicians at every leg of the journey.
“This partnership is an exciting step forward in cardiac care for our region,” said Dr. Christopher Overgaard, Chief of Cardiac Health, Southlake Health. “By working together, we can ensure patients have access to leading-edge treatments and technology, improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life for patients.”
At its core, this collaboration is about finding new ways to meet the needs of patients in this fast-growing region.
“Together, we can ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” said Dr. Alexander Crystal, Chief of Cardiology, Mackenzie Health. “We are excited to see how this collaboration will strengthen our capacity, support physician and staff development and ultimately improve outcomes for patients across our communities.”
- Learn more about the Southlake Regional Cardiac Centre.
- Learn more about Mackenzie Health’s cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation program
