Constructing disruptive applied sciences is on the core of what we do, and since our inception, the College of Waterloo has additionally been disrupting the boundaries of well being.
In a landmark growth for health-care innovation and regional transformation, the College of Waterloo has been chosen as the location of Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s Normal Hospital’s new joint hospital, serving Waterloo-Wellington and past.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier and Minister of Well being Sylvia Jones, Minister of Pink Tape Discount Mike Harris and Minister of Faculties and Universities Jill Dunlop attended the announcement occasion on July 22. This new facility is a part of the Hospital’s redevelopment and merger challenge Constructing the Way forward for Care, Collectively, which goals to higher serve the area’s health-care wants. The occasion featured leaders from Grand River Hospital, St. Mary’s Normal Hospital and the College. Native politicians and group leaders had been additionally in attendance.
“I’m so thrilled to be here with all of you to announce that this campus has been selected as the future site of the new Waterloo Region hospital,” Premier Ford mentioned. “When complete, the state-of-the-art facility will be a huge part of the future of health care in this region.”
“I’m always bragging about just the incredible work you do at the University of Waterloo, second to none. I’ll put our students and our profs against anyone in the world when it comes to competing in technology,” Ford continued.
Constructing the Way forward for Care, Collectively launched in 2022 with a $5 million grant from the Ontario Ministry of Well being. Recognizing the vital want to reinforce health-care companies, the number of the location on College of Waterloo’s north campus is a strategic transfer. This centrally positioned web site aligns with the area’s forecasted city and rural development areas, making it a perfect location for this modern health-care challenge.
“Now we are here to celebrate the new site of the future hospital that will continue to expand access to key services and add more beds addressing the needs of your growing community, to ensure families across the region can connect to the care they need from now and for decades to come,” Minister Sylvia Jones mentioned.
Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Well being speaks on the announcement occasion
The brand new Hospital will occupy roughly 60 acres within the David Johnston Analysis + Know-how Park on the College’s North Campus, fostering a more in-depth relationship between the College and group health-care suppliers. Waterloo’s researchers already preserve robust relationships with hospitals throughout Ontario, and this new growth will solely strengthen these connections.
“Today’s announcement means more than a new state-of-the-art hospital in our region; it will mean a deepening of an already strong collaboration between our institution and health institutions in our community,” said Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. “It’s yet another example of empowering students, faculty and community to contribute to a healthier region through community-focused, cutting-edge research and experiential learning opportunities.”
Waterloo is residence to 16 analysis chairs specializing in well being and medical applied sciences and a number of other well being and medical-focused colleges. The College is devoted to offering a world-class schooling for its college students. This collaboration guarantees to convey modern health-care options and reimagine the way forward for human well being by way of Waterloo’s large strengths in analysis, expertise, innovation and deep group connectedness.
The merger of Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s Normal Hospital right into a single group is slated to be full by Spring 2025. Redevelopment initiatives on present Hospital infrastructure are underway, as is planning and design for the brand new Hospital. By bringing collectively the area’s fame for entrepreneurial pondering, expertise, innovation and experiential schooling, the brand new hospital goals to turn into a world-class hub for well being care.
College researchers and entrepreneurs are main well being innovation in Canada. Whether or not it’s creating biomedical applied sciences, advancing biostatistics, or advising on equitable world well being insurance policies — Waterloo’s interdisciplinary method to analysis and innovation allows us to unpack the complexity of the place these vital discoveries meet.
The College of Waterloo is dedicated to working with Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s Normal Hospital to help the “Constructing the Way forward for Care, Collectively.” This collaboration is greater than a possibility to construct a brand new hospital — it’s a likelihood to foster innovation in well being care and drive social and financial alternatives for the area.
“We look forward to playing a role alongside this new facility in advancing transformational health innovation in our region, our country and globally,” Goel mentioned.
This landmark choice to construct a brand new Hospital on the College of Waterloo campus underscores the area’s dedication to enhancing health-care entry and driving new concepts. Because the challenge strikes ahead, it guarantees to convey transformative advantages to the group, the College and the broader health-care panorama.
The location presents a picturesque setting on a west-facing hillside overlooking the College of Waterloo Environmental Reserve — which can stay undeveloped. This space gives pure areas for strolling and pleasure, together with views of Columbia Lake and the Laurel Creek watershed. The park options practically seven kilometres of strolling and biking trails, built-in with the Laurel Path and the Trans Canada Path.
Proximity to transit and facilities will improve the expertise for Hospital groups, sufferers, households, guests and the broader communities accessing the Hospital.
