Mackenzie Health
| Mackenzie Health | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Richmond Hill, York Region, Ontario, Canada |
| Organization | |
| Care system | Medicare |
| Type | Community |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Yes |
| History | |
| Opened | 1963 |
| Links | |
| Website | https://www.mackenziehealth.ca/ |
Mackenzie Health is a hospital corporation based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada that provides health care services in southern York Region. It operates two hospitals - Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.
It also operates urgent care centres in Richmond Hill and Vaughan,[1] and a mental health facility in Barrie.[2]
Facilities
[edit]- Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, in Richmond Hill (opened as York Central Hospital in 1963)
- Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, in Vaughan (opened in 2021)
- Oak Ridges Medical Centre, in Oak Ridges (northern Richmond Hill)
- Urgent Care Centre, in Vaughan (opened in 2006)[3]
- Centre for Behavioural Health in Barrie
Management
[edit]In November 2015 Mackenzie Health signed an 18-year managed equipment services contract with Philips, for room design, diagnostics, alarm management, predictive analytics, and other medical technology services for Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.[4]
Funding
[edit]The Mackenzie Health Foundation is the fundraising foundation for Mackenzie Health, responsible for obtaining donations from private donors.[5] Established in 1977, it is responsible for acquiring the local funding for capital projects, for example the 10% of construction costs for the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, as well as all funding for other capital projects and ancillary operational costs. Capital projects funded include the acquisition of medical and diagnostic equipment, for example a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.[6]
Donors can specify their donation to be allocated to a specific purpose.[5]
The Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association is a community fundraising association that raises funds via community events, for example its annual dance held since 1993.[6] The dance has raised over $500,000 since its inception, and has partially funded the acquisition of surgical equipment and a digital mammography unit, and the establishment of the Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.[6]
Controversy
[edit]2016 sexual assault allegations
[edit]In 2016, Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital received criticism over its handling of sexual assault allegations from at least five elderly patients who reported being assaulted by an employee. The hospital initially cited patient privacy concerns for not informing law enforcement, prompting Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins to announce a review.[7] In 2017, questions emerged regarding the hospital's role in the York Regional Police investigation. Police documents indicated that certain hospital managers may have been uncooperative, which some police suggested could have been an effort to avoid civil litigation, potentially affecting the investigation’s progress.[8] In October 2017, Mackenzie Health announced changes to its policy, committing to immediately report all criminal allegations at the hospital to the police.[9]
Lawsuit following infant's death
[edit]In December 2014, the parents of Kieran Bonnell, an 8-day-old infant, alleged that medical negligence at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital contributed to his death from an E. coli infection. Kieran’s parents, Rebecca and Patrick Bonnell, later discovered that a critical blood test result indicating the infection was reportedly received by the hospital but was not acted upon by the medical team. This delay in diagnosis and treatment prompted the Bonnells to file a $900,000 lawsuit, claiming negligence. Following the incident, Mackenzie Health issued a written apology to the family, acknowledging an internal systems failure related to reporting critical lab results for discharged patients. Hospital officials stated that they had implemented process improvements, including the introduction of a log book for abnormal laboratory results, aimed at preventing similar issues in the future.[10]
2023 Gaza war
[edit]In October 2023, Mackenzie Health temporarily suspended nephrologist Dr. Ben Thomson following a social media post[11] he described in an official statement as an effort to address perceived misinformation and counter language he found dehumanizing toward Palestinians.[12] Media reports indicated that after posting, Thomson was subject to online threats, and his personal address was publicly shared.[11] On October 13, Mackenzie Health issued a statement about recent social media posts by some of its physicians and staff, asserting that the content did not reflect the hospital’s values and emphasizing its stance against hate, violence, human rights violations, and terrorism.[12] Following public response[13] and media attention, Mackenzie Health clarified on October 26 that Thomson’s suspension was "an unprecedented, temporary measure" intended to address "real safety and security threats" against him, unrelated to the content of his views.[12] The hospital noted its collaboration with York Regional Police and independent security experts to ensure Thomson's safe return to work.[14]
A media investigation suggested that Thomson’s suspension may have been influenced by complaints from colleagues who disagreed with his views. Reports indicated that discussions on a Facebook group called "Canadian Jewish Physicians" included plans to file safety complaints against Thomson, regardless of their basis.[15] Thomson was reinstated after 10 days and subsequently filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against Mackenzie Health, alleging defamation and procedural mishandling.[16]
Controversy over Muzzo family name on hospital wing
[edit]In 2017, Mackenzie Health received a joint $15 million donation from the De Gasperis and Muzzo families, leading to the naming of the west wing of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital as the "De Gasperis-Muzzo Tower."[17] This decision became contentious due to Marco Muzzo's 2015 conviction for impaired driving causing the deaths of three children and their grandfather.[18] Following the 2022 death of Edward Lake, father of the deceased children, public calls intensified for the removal of the Muzzo name from the hospital wing. Despite a petition garnering over 3,000 signatures, Mackenzie Health stated it had no plans to change the naming, citing the family's history of philanthropy and their contributions to the community.[19] The hospital acknowledged the strong emotions surrounding the issue but maintained that the naming decision was based on the family's charitable support, which significantly aided the development of the healthcare facility.
Mitchell Goldhar's donation to Mackenzie Health and ownership of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC
[edit]In May 2022, Canadian real estate developer and philanthropist Mitchell Goldhar donated $10 million to Mackenzie Health, leading to the naming of the surgery unit at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital as the Mitchell Goldhar Surgery Unit.[20] Goldhar has owned Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club since 2009. The club has been noted for incidents involving fan chants that include anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian slogans. In November 2024, during a match in the Netherlands, some fans were reported to have waved Israeli flags and removed a Palestinian flag from the main square, while allegedly chanting offensive slogans targeting Arabs and Palestinians. Amsterdam city council members indicated that fans engaged in clashes with Palestinian supporters prior to the match.[21]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Vaughan Citizen 2015.
- ^ Pavilons 2015.
- ^ Swainson 2006, p. B1.
- ^ Hamilton 2015.
- ^ a b Kelly 2013.
- ^ a b c Beck 2014.
- ^ "Mackenzie Health facing scrutiny over sexual assault allegations". CBC News. 2016.
- ^ "Did Mackenzie Health hinder police investigation?". Inside Halton. 2017.
- ^ "Mackenzie Health will now report allegations of criminal behaviour to police". York Region. 2017.
- ^ "Toronto hospital admits error after being confronted by parents of dead infant". Toronto Star. 2016.
- ^ a b "Doctor suspended after pro-Palestinian remarks will return to work when it's safe, health authority says". CBC News. October 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Mackenzie Health and Dr. Ben Thomson Statements". Mackenzie Health. Mackenzie Health. October 26, 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ "Campaigns do work! Check out our accomplishments for Palestinian rights!". CJPME - English. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ "Doctor suspended after pro-Palestinian remarks reinstated following safety concerns". CBC News. 2023.
- ^ "Abuse of Power? Hospitals, Med Schools Crack Down on Palestine Advocacy". The Breach. 2023.
- ^ Paradkar, Shree (2024-03-24). "Shree Paradkar: This doctor was suspended after his tweets on the Israel-Hamas conflict drew controversy. Now he's suing". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ "Marco Muzzo family donation spurs controversy over hospital naming". Global News. 2017.
- ^ "Marco Muzzo granted parole after fatal crash". CTV News. 2021.
- ^ "Hospitals refuse to remove Muzzo family name despite public pressure". CTV News. 2022.
- ^ "SmartCentres CEO Mitchell Goldhar makes transformational $10M donation". Mackenzie Health. 2022.
- ^ "Israeli football fans clash with protesters in Amsterdam". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
References
[edit]- Beck, Marney (18 March 2014). "Enjoy Bollywood Night and support Mackenzie Health". Richmond Hill Liberal. Metroland Media. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- Hamilton, David (11 November 2015). "Ontario healthcare provider signs $300-million "smart hospital" deal with Philips". IT Business. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- Kelly, Tim (25 June 2013). "Mackenzie Health Foundation's new boss kicks off fundraising for Vaughan hospital". Vaughan Citizen. Metroland Media. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- Pavilons, Mark (28 October 2015). "Magna makes $10-million hospital pledge". King Weekly Sentinel. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- Swainson, Gail (18 July 2006). "Vaughan finally gets health centre; Facility first step toward a hospital Unit will cater to 'special needs'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- "Urgent Care Centre in Vaughan open every day of holidays". Vaughan Citizen. Metroland Media. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
External links
[edit]- Mackenzie Health
- About the organization at Mackenzie Health
- Mackenzie Health Foundation