Michener Institute merges with University Health Network

TORONTO – The Board of Trustees of the University Health Network has given final approval for the integration of The Michener Institute with UHN. The move follows approval of the same resolution by the Board of the Michener Institute earlier in December.

The merger also has the support of the Ontario government and the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network.

“Now, we embark on an exciting new chapter in UHN’s history that will transform health professions education in a myriad of exciting new ways,” said Dr. Peter Pisters (pictured), UHN’s president and CEO.

The new entity will be known as The Michener Institute at UHN. “This is an unprecedented achievement, underscoring UHN and The Michener Institute’s commitment to the education of health professionals. We welcome new colleagues from The Michener Institute to the UHN community of learners and look forward to building an incredible future together,” Dr. Pisters said.

“Indeed, the possibilities and opportunities that stem from this integration will change the future landscape of health education in Ontario.”

Dr. Pisters offered his thanks to leaders at both organizations for the role they played “in helping us to achieve this milestone.”

In a statement, The Michener Institute called it “an exciting time.”

“This Canadian-first, ‘Made in Ontario.’ Mayo-like model brings together a diploma-granting healthcare education institution with an academic health sciences network within a single organization,” it said.

“Already, Michener plays a significant role in anticipating and meeting health labour force needs, but this integration strengthens that role by more deeply embedding teaching in daily clinical practice and research at the country’s biggest teaching hospital and health facility,” the statement said.

“Integrating a school in a hospital network will benefit patients because we can apply our rapid-response curriculum design expertise to train health technologists as quickly as technology, research and clinical practices evolve.”