Partnership opens new patient pathway to care

In November 2024, OVH and Unity Health Toronto announced a new partnership to provide patients with timely access to advanced cardiac procedures and interventions at St. Michael’s Hospital. The OVH partnership with St. Michael’s Hospital bridges the skills, knowledge, and expertise of staff, while making sure patients receive timely access to acute care services and can recover in their local hospital.

A globally recognized acute care hospital in downtown Toronto, St. Michael’s Hospital provides a comprehensive range of advanced cardiac services, including coronary procedures, advanced electrophysiology, structural heart procedures, and cardiac surgery.

“Cardiac patients who require testing and procedures that we don’t offer must receive that care elsewhere,” says Dr. Paul Hacker, Lead Cardiologist. “Having a partner allows a seamless transfer of our patients for those procedures and tests, and a seamless transfer back to be treated at Oak Valley Health.”

The partnership is reducing wait and recovery times. “Previously, there were some areas in cardiac care where patients were waiting for long periods of time for referrals,” says Sheri Ferkl, Vice President, Clinical Services. “Now, patients are seen sooner for assessment and collaboration. This results in shorter wait time in hospital as interventions are provided sooner and the patient can begin the recovery phase.”

The collaboration with St. Michael’s Hospital also marks a significant milestone for the organization as it works toward achieving Level 5 Cardiac Program Status. 

“A level 5 centre performs cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention, such as, coronary stents, and also implants devices which are more complex than pacemakers such as implantable defibrillators,” says Dr. Hacker.

The partnership with St. Michael’s Hospital will support cutting-edge research and clinical trials by advancing education and training between clinical experts. Teams will also share best practices and maintain quality assurance, ensuring a high level of care.

The partnership is aligned with Ontario Health’s CorHealth Regional Cardiac Program framework, which provides strategic leadership to improve cardiac, stroke, and vascular care across the province.

OVH will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring continuity of care for cardiac inpatients, as well as continuing its long-standing and valued partnership with Southlake Health, which provides life-saving treatment for acute myocardial infarction patients.

Advancing the Enhanced Cardiac Care Unit

OVH is also advancing MSH’s Level 2 Enhanced Cardiac Care (ECC) Unit, which supports and treats patients with conditions such as acute coronary syndrome, heart attack, angina, and heart failure. It also cares for patients needing advanced diagnostics, interventional procedures, and device implantation, as well as those recovering from cardiac procedures such as angioplasty and pacemaker insertion.

The changes mean nurses will be able to provide advanced care for more complex patients in the ECC, instead of transferring them to the ICU.

New Cardiac Device Clinic

A new Cardiac Device Clinic opened at MSH in early 2025, further enhancing high-quality, integrated care in the community. The clinic cares for patients with implanted single- and dual-chamber pacemakers, with plans to expand and accommodate more advanced devices as demand grows. Staffed with cardiologists and cardiac device specialists, the clinic’s goal is to ensure patients’ pacemakers function properly.

“The Cardiac Device Clinic offers patients the convenience of receiving specialized care closer to home. It significantly reduces travel and wait-times,” says Dr. Douglas Wan, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist. “In addition to managing chronic conditions, the clinic also provides timely follow-up and acute care when needed.”

Connections help provide state-of-the-art cardiac care

Enhancing connections through partnerships like the one with St Michael’s Hospital is a key priority in OVH’s Strategic Plan. “Connections are important for patients and for the future,” says Ferkl. “Our whole strategy is around integrated care, integrating patients back to the community, integrating patients with the care that they need, and integrating patients with experts in the field.”

Enhancements to cardiac care are also required to keep up with the increasing need for these services. “Cardiac patients make up a large number of our admissions,” says Dr. Hacker. “Our population is growing by leaps and bounds, the population is aging, and more patients are in need of cardiac care.”

Supporting the delivery of care

Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation is helping to support local advances in cardiac care through investments in equipment, vital resources, and educational initiatives to raise awareness about cardiac health and services available close to home. In March 2025, more than 250 people attended the Foundation’s Healthy.Together. Speaker Series community event on the growing cardiology program and services, leading-edge interventions, specialized clinics, and preventative cardiac care.

Shaping the future: Advancing stroke and renal care with our valued regional and community partners will help bring essential services closer to home for our growing community.