Sudbury hospital renamed Health Sciences North

Sudbury Regional Hospital has officially changed its name to Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord (HSN).

“We are not just introducing a new name, but a whole new approach to health care,” Dr. Denis Roy, Health Sciences North's president and CEO, said in a press release.

“Over the past year, we have redefined how health care services are being delivered in our region. Health Sciences North / Horizon Santé-Nord is part of that evolution towards a broader mandate in health care that encompasses innovative approaches to patient care, research, teaching and health promotion. “

The redefining exercise was launched by the institution in 2010, the press release said. In that time, more than 1,600 consultations took place with a wide range of stakeholders including front-line staff, physicians, volunteers, community agencies and health care partners both locally and across northeastern Ontario.

“Our new name and vision was transpired from the dialogue we had with our constituents,” Russ Boyles, chair of Health Sciences North's board of directors, said. “This was a strategic revisioning initiative where we worked together with our stakeholders in reviewing, evaluating and redesigning the health care services offered by our institution.”

“There is no doubt that the new vision for health care in our community is defined in our new name,” Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci said.

“I am so excited with our new name and logo which not only speaks to where we are today but where we’ll be in the future as we evolve in the provision of health care services for Sudbury and Northeastern Ontario.”

“Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord truly reflects what we have become as an institution,” Dr. Chris Bourdon, Health Science's North's chief of staff, said.

“I have the pleasure of working with front-line health care workers who are embracing and applying the academic health sciences mission of innovative care, research and teaching and it is improving the care we are giving our patients.”

Since setting a direction to become an academic health sciences centre, many changes have taken place within the various programs and facilities of Health Sciences North, the press release said.

The former Memorial Site has evolved to become a centre of excellence for outpatient care, where new clinics have been created to help patients manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. An outpatient centre for mental health and addictions has been created downtown on Cedar Street. One of the managers of the new outpatient services centre applauded the institution’s future direction.

“Our transition to an academic health sciences centre is an exciting prospect for every one of us, and we will all reap the rewards,” Joanne Guizzo, clinical manager, Ambulatory Care Clinics, said in a press release.

“Who better to research innovative solutions to health challenges facing our fellow Northerners, than the people who live and work here? In partnership with NOSM, we are educating the next generation of health providers and health policy makers. This combination of innovation, research and education will bring world-class patient care much closer to our doorstep.”

A series of surgical innovations are also being undertaken at Health Sciences North, where procedures not performed in other parts of the province or country are taking place, the press release said.

Earlier this summer, the provincial government announced its approval for a Learners Space at the institution, which involves a 20,000 square foot expansion for training medical students and other learners.

“NOSM congratulates Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord for selecting a name that reflects the academic health sciences network of partnerships that contribute to better health care for Northern communities. From the beginning, HRSRH has been a key contributor to the success of NOSM’s model of innovative education and research, and the new name, Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord, speaks to an exciting future of world leading health care, education and research for all of northern Ontario,” Dr. Roger Strasser, dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, said.

“Health Sciences North/Horizon Sante-Nord is a crucial component in our growing health research cluster in northeastern Ontario,” Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux, said. “Through our collaborative work with the hospital, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and other institutions in health and education, we are together building the foundations of health education and medical research for the future.”

In describing his Harvard of the North vision, Roy cites the significant benefits an academic health sciences centre brings to patient care and to the local economy. “There is great economic value in research. Research attracts talent, dollars, business creation and jobs. The spin-off occurs when investigators make discoveries, get patents and create companies,” Roy said. “It is also one of the most powerful recruiting tool for physicians and specialists.”

"The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce is very supportive of the evolution of Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord as an academic health sciences centre and the development of a health care hub in our city," Debbi M. Nicholson, president and CEO of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, said.

"Not only will it mean a significant boost to our economy and reputation abroad, but we believe Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord will help attract even more health-related investment and expertise to our city, and that's good for all our citizens."

Posted by Heidi Ulrichsen