New Name for Ontario Health Team Located in Eastern Ontario
2022-06-29
Following
several weeks of engagement with stakeholders and partners, the Upper Canada,
Cornwall and Area Ontario Health Team has a new name: Great River Ontario
Health Team (OHT).
Ontario Health
Teams are being formed across the province by the Government of Ontario and are
supported by funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health. The intent is
that Ontario Health Teams will provide better integrated care by breaking down
barriers that may exist between healthcare providers and geographic areas.
Great River OHT
covers the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, City of Cornwall,
Akwesasne, and also parts of Russell Township and rural south-east Ottawa. Its
membership is made up of more than 30 healthcare providers from across these regions
who are working together towards a common vision of more integrated and better
coordinated care for patients.
The creation of
Great River OHT was announced last fall with the temporary name Upper Canada,
Cornwall and Area OHT, which had been assigned during the original application
process until a permanent name could be selected.
“We spent the
past weeks gathering feedback from local patients, healthcare providers and the
community on the name for our OHT. Their feedback was that it should be inclusive
and descriptive of the unique communities and geographical areas that we serve,
which includes the St. Lawrence River, the Mohawk community of Akwesasne and
our large Francophone population,” stated Christine Penney, Co-Chair of the
Great River OHT Collaboration Council.
Based on the
feedback received, OHT members chose Great River as the OHT’s new name. Great
River is translated from Kaniatarowanénhne, the Mohawk place name for
the St. Lawrence River.
“By choosing the
name Great River, we are acknowledging that we work and practice on the
traditional lands and waters of Indigenous peoples, highlighting our OHT’s
commitment to reconciliation, inclusivity and moving forward, together,” adds
Tracy Crowder, Co-Chair of the Great River OHT Collaboration Council.
Great River OHT
is now focusing on the development of its branding and public facing
communications, which includes a new logo and website, to begin raising
awareness and promote community engagement. They have also established a
steering committee and several working groups to help address three priority
areas: mental health and addictions; frail older adults with complex care
needs; and supporting and building capacity in primary care.
“We thank
everyone who engaged with us during this exercise and we look forward to
delivering a local patient-centred healthcare system in which partners work
together to connect people with the services they need in a more structured and
timely manner,” says Crowder.
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