Mackenzie Health joins PMCCN for cancer care

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – Mackenzie Health has officially joined the Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network, a unique collaboration aimed at enhancing clinical expertise, research and education in the fight against cancer. The partnership will strengthen access to quality cancer care close to home and provide more resources and supports for patients on their cancer journey.

“Healthcare is a team sport – one that requires that we work together, share ideas and resources and learn from one another to put the needs of patients first,” said Mary-Agnes Wilson (pictured), executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing executive at Mackenzie Health. “By joining this network of local, regional and national partners, we will expand patients’ access to clinical trials, strengthen cancer survivorship programs, enhance patient education and resources and help to develop the next generation of oncology specialists here in our community.”

Mackenzie Health is the seventh cancer program in Canada to join this network, alongside Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre, The Grand River Regional Cancer Program, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Oak Valley Health, William Osler Health System and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

“We believe that within this network, healthcare providers, patients and caregivers will find comfort and confidence, knowing that their care is enriched by greater access to cutting-edge technologies available at one of the world’s leading cancer centres,” said Dr. Keith Stewart, vice president of cancer, laboratory medicine and pathology at University Health Network and Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

This year alone, nearly 250,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Canada. That means roughly 675 people each day will hear those three life-altering words: “You have cancer.”

With cases on the rise, the demand for high-quality, accessible oncology services continues to grow. Over the past four years, Mackenzie Health’s Oncology Clinic has expanded by nearly 30 percent, now serving 80 to 100 patients daily with initial consults, follow-ups, infusion treatments and vital patient and pharmacy education.

“Cancer care is evolving rapidly and this collaboration ensures that our patients benefit from the latest innovations, expertise, and resources – right here, close to home,” said Mackenzie Health president and CEO Altaf Stationwala. “It also helps strengthen the education and training of our incredible oncology team – helping us deliver the highest standard of care now and in the future.”

Dr. Andrea Bezjak, medical director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Care Network, added that the network is a way to move forward provincial oncology priorities at a local level. “Closer collaborations and knowledge exchange have been of benefit to other Network partners and we look forward to collaborating with teams at Mackenzie Health.”

About Mackenzie Health
Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional healthcare provider. Mackenzie Health includes Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, each with a full-service emergency department, core services such as surgery, medicine, critical care and medical imaging along with specialized programs. Its community-based locations and services continue to provide additional support to western York Region. In December 2023, the organization maintained its Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada for its commitment to safety and quality patient care. This is the highest rating a Canadian health care provider can receive. Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is dedicated to patient needs now and in the future. Mackenzie Health is proud to serve western York Region, one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada with more than 550,000 residents. For more information, please visit www.mackenziehealth.ca.

About UHN
University Health Network (UHN) is Canada’s #1 hospital, with more than 10 sites, including Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, West Park Healthcare Centre, and the Michener Institute of Education. The scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN’s Laboratory Medicine Program is the largest hospital diagnostic lab in Canada and one of the largest academic labs in the world. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. For more information: www.uhn.ca.