Provincial funding will expand access to team-based primary care in North Western Toronto

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The Schulich FMTU is a core teaching site affiliated with the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine and a landmark investment in North Western Toronto’s primary care future. Created to address a critical shortage of primary care providers in a community of more than 850,000 people, the unit reflects Humber River Health’s vision of expanding access to care closer to home. Its opening, made possible by the generosity of The Schulich Foundation and the invaluable support of The Slaight Family Foundation, marked a pivotal step in addressing the community’s healthcare access challenges. The unit provides comprehensive primary care while preparing family medicine residents, medical students and cross-disciplinary learners to address health inequities, chronic disease and the social factors that influence health. Since welcoming its first four family medicine residents in 2023, the program has grown steadily and will reach its full capacity of 18 residents in 2026.

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“I am very proud to champion our state-of-the-art first digital hospital, Hennick Humber Hospital, and acknowledge them as healthcare innovators and leaders who provide gold star standard of care to our community,” said the Hon. Michael S. Kerzner, MPP for York Centre. “Through a new partnership with the Ontario government, Unison Health & Community Services, Hennick Humber Hospital and the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit, thousands of residents in York Centre will have access to a primary care physician or nurse practitioner.”

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“Every family deserves access to high-quality primary care close to home. For residents in York South—Weston and across North Western Toronto, our government’s $3,397,500 investment will expand team-based primary care, connect more people to the services they need, and strengthen access across eight clinic locations,” said Mohamed Firin, MPP for York South—Weston. “Through this partnership with Unison Health & Community Services, Humber River Health and the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit, we are building a stronger, more connected healthcare system that supports patients today and prepares for the needs of tomorrow.”

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By expanding the Schulich FMTU and establishing a teaching site with Unison Health & Community Services, the partnership will address immediate gaps in access while creating a sustainable pipeline of primary care providers with experience serving the diverse communities of North Western Toronto.

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About Humber River Health

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Humber River Health is a multi-site organization serving a population of more than 850,000 people in the northwest Greater Toronto Area. The organization is a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) and operates Hennick Humber Hospital, along with its Finch and Church campuses, supported by more than 4,000 employees, approximately 700 physicians, and over 1,000 volunteers.

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Hennick Humber Hospital is North America’s first fully digital hospital. With its use of robotics and cutting-edge technology, patients undergo less pain, fewer risks of complications, and less time in the hospital. A custom combination of advanced technology and clinical expertise underpins a reimagined model of care focused on safety, efficiency, and improved patient outcomes. Hennick Humber Hospital’s digital infrastructure includes automated laboratory services, robotics for sorting, mixing, and delivering medications, electronic health records, Command Centre, computerized physician order entry, patient bedside computer terminals, and tracking systems for patients undergoing surgery that provides updates to families through their cellphones. The implementation of these technological and digital solutions has enabled Hennick Humber Hospital to automate information, enhance communication and increase efficiency, as well as provide a connected experience for patients, staff and families.

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This transformation and organizational culture have been possible thanks to the dedication and support of the organization’s staff, physicians, and volunteers. Together, they remain grounded in a shared belief: that together, we can transform the hospital where we work, the community where we live, and the broader healthcare landscape. With exceptional teams driving innovation, strong resolve, and a commitment to excellence, Humber River Health will continue to deliver Tomorrow’s Healthcare, Today.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Joe Gorman
Humber River Health
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
[email protected]

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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 

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