The Toronto Hospital is one of the largest acute care teaching hospitals in Canada with over 1,000 beds. It was formed in 1986 with the merger of The Toronto General Hospital and The Toronto Western Hospital.
The Toronto Hospital is one of the largest
acute care teaching hospitals in Canada with over 1,000 beds. It was formed
in 1986 with the merger of The Toronto General
Hospital and The Toronto Western
Hospital.
The Ontario Cancer Institute / Princess Margaret Hospital became part of The Toronto Hospital on January 1, 1998.
Toronto General can
claim its roots back to a small wooden shed in York, (now known as Toronto).
That shed served as the military hospital during the war of 1812 with the
United States.
At that time the Loyal and Patriotic Society was formed by a small group
of citizens. Their aim was to provide comforts for the militia and their
families. After the war the society decided to award gold and silver medals
for gallantry. Difficulties arose, now shrouded in history, as to who should
get these medals. As none of the medals were ever awarded, a decision was
made to melt them down to raise money to be added to a fund to build a civilian
hospital.
The York General Hospital opened on June 3, 1829 on King Street between
John Street and Peter Street. Requiring more space, a larger hospital was
opened in 1856 at Gerrard and Parliament.
The present site, at College and University Avenue was opened in 1913.
Toronto Western had
its beginnings in 1894 when a group of twelve doctors met for the purpose
of establishing a hospital in the west end of Toronto. They signed a pledge
of support to establish the "Western" hospital on one of Dr. George
H. Carveth's prescription pads. The doctors were the staff of the Western
Free Dispensary, which was a store-front clinic for patients in need.
Lack of funds delayed the opening of the hospital until 1896. Its first
site was a semi-detached house, which still stands, at 393-395 Manning Avenue.
In 1899 a farmhouse was acquired at 399 Bathurst Street, (the hospital's
present site). After renovations the farmhouse accommodated about 38 patients.
As more space was needed desperately, Dr. George H. Carveth suggested the
erection of tents to expand the hospital. The tent hospital was a success,
and was in use, year round, from 1905 to 1911.
Women were involved from the beginning in the founding of the hospital.
Dr. Augusta Stowe Gullen, Canada's first female medical graduate, was appointed
to the consulting staff of the hospital. She also founded the Auxiliary's
predecessor, the "Womens Board", in 1897 and was its president
until 1926. Her mother, Dr. Emily Stowe was the first woman to practice
medicine in Canada. Toronto Western Hospital has the oldest Auxiliary in
Toronto.
The Ontario Cancer Institute was
established in 1952 by an Act of the Ontario Legislature. Construction at
the 500 Sherbourne Street location began in 1954 and the Hospital opened
on May 1st, 1958 with 87 beds. To mark the visit of Her Royal Highness,
Princess Margaret in 1958, the Government of Ontario named the new hospital
"The Princess Margaret Hospital".
The hospital is commonly known as the Ontario Cancer
Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital (OCI/PMH).
The OCI/PMH, as well as being an active treatment hospital, is one of the teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. The scientists in the Research Division form the basis of the University's Medical Biophysics Division. Staff physicians also provide consultative and treatment services at the Hospital for Sick Children, St. Michael's Hospital, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, the former Toronto General Hospital, and also by attending attend six consultative and follow- up clinics located in North Bay, Owen Sound, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Timmins.
As of November 13 th, 1995 the Hospital officially moved to 610 University Avenue. Once again the new hospital facility was recognized by a visit from Her Royal Highness, Princess Margaret, on July 12 th, 1996.
An Ontario Legislature Act (Bill 172), to amalgamate The Toronto Hospital and the Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital came into effect on January 1, 1998.
While the departments have consolidated, OCI/PMH will retain its own identity and the combined oncology program has the name: Ontario Cancer Institute / Princess Margaret Hospital - a division of The Toronto Hospital.
For more
information on the OCI/PMH history, click here to visit the
OCI/PMH Archives site.
Click here for the
Ontario Cancer Institute
Princess Margaret Hospital
web site
