Last Updated: April 11, 2003

Welcome to University Health Network, a great place to work, learn, research and practice patient care.

Building on the strengths and reputation of our three remarkable hospitals – Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospital – our network weaves together the talents and resources which make us a global leader in healthcare, research and education.

Our vision is achieving global impact. This vision arose out of our year-long Strategic Directions planning process back in 2001. To me, that vision means being the best at what we do anywhere in the world.

In fact, our physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers and researchers rival any you could find elsewhere and their dedication has been evident during the recent SARS emergency.

Across our three teaching hospitals, we were required by the government to put strict restrictions in place. That meant limiting access to hospital among our staff, patients, volunteers and visitors. This is certainly the first time our hospitals have experienced anything like this. But I would like to say that I have never been prouder to work anywhere as I am right now.

The employees have been nothing less than heroic in their efforts to ensure their patients and colleagues are safe from any possible emergence of the SARS virus. Many people have worked long, hard hours and despite being tired, the “cranky virus” has also been kept at bay around here.

Unfortunately, SARS has meant that we have had to limit both surgical procedures and medical and ambulatory visits by patients until we have assurances that SARS is under control in Ontario. However, we also recognize the need to continue to provide the exceptional quality care we always have and we have experienced quite a backlog that will take several weeks to clear up.

We plan to carefully and gradually bring our services back up to the point where it is business as usual. And while doing so, we will ensure in a step-by-step manner that the care and safety of our patients and staff are not jeopardized.

I want to ask the public for their patience during this emergency. Nothing strikes cold into the heart of a healthcare worker more than not being able to treat a patient. Our hearts go out to the many patients we have not been able to treat and the friends and family members who have not been able to visit.

I ask you to bear with us as we battle the SARS virus so that we may in the future continue to provide excellence in patient care, research and teaching.

Tom Closson
President and CEO
University Health Network