Latest News
Stay up to date on what’s happening at West Park. Read the most up-to-date news on the Get Your Life Back Campaign, our signature events and campus transformation or read the Giving Lives Back newsletter for more Foundation news.
For media inquiries, please contact Kerry Kincaid, Director of Communications and Marketing at (P): 416-243-3600 ext. 34433, (E): kerry.kincaid@westpark.org. News Releases can be found here.
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Art's healing touch on display at West Park
The walls of West Park are adorned with a wide collection of art, which research has shown to help alleviate stress, depression and anxiety.
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Long-Term Ventilation Team Secures Permanent Funding
This achievement promises to enhance patient flow from intensive care units, reduce hospitalizations, and improve the quality of life for patients dependent on ventilators.
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West Park physiatrist helps athletes perform their best at 2024 Paralympics
Dr. Steven Dilkas says he hopes his role at the Paralympics will enable his athletes to achieve their personal best, something he’s also helped many of his patients at West Park do.
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Patient Spotlight: Graham Donoghue
“I made a decision to not let it slow me down.” Cancer and amputee patient Graham Donoghue looks to the future.
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Sound check for accessibility
West Park is equipped with Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) microphones, an accessibility feature designed to transmit sound directly to a person's hearing device.
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Patient Art on Display at West Park
When you visit West Park, you might notice a colourful display of art alongside the alcove wall leading toward the Café on Level 1.
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Patient takes first steps at West Park
Just 27 days after arriving at West Park Yevhen Shlemkyvych, 21, a below-knee double amputee patient who had never walked, took his first steps.
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Helping People in Northwest Toronto Breathe Easier
COPD Health Services in Northwest Toronto gets support from TD to help improve people’s health and ability to breathe better.
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"Our Time Has Come"
CEO Anne-Marie Malek retires as her most ambitious dreams for West Park are achieved.
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The new West Park is open, and we have a new address!
On Monday, April 15, our new hospital building officially opened, ushering in a new era of rehabilitative care at West Park.
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One week to go! Countdown to the new West Park
Over the course of Sunday, April 14, all of our current inpatients will be moved into our six-storey, 730,000-square foot facility.
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Creating the World’s Leading Rehabilitation Centre
UHN and West Park Healthcare Centre have come together to form Canada's most comprehensive and specialized rehabilitation and complex continuing care centre.
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Countdown to the New West Park – just 12 days to move-in!
In less than two weeks we will welcome patients into our new hospital building and usher in a new era of rehabilitative care
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Tournament of Stars - A Huge Win for West Park!
The 5th Annual Tournament of Stars was a great success, raising over $650,000 in support of West Park Healthcare Centre!
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Countdown to the New West Park – one month to go!
In just one month – April 14 – we will welcome patients into our state-of-the-art new hospital building.
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West Park President & CEO Anne-Marie Malek to retire
After 19 years as President & CEO, Anne-Marie Malek to retire at the end of March 2024.
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West Park’s new hospital reaches substantial completion
This construction milestone means the facility is operational and has been officially handed-over from the contractor, EllisDon to West Park.
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Helping People Back to Active Life
West Park is the largest provider of inpatient amputee rehabilitation services in Canada and the new West Park will include a Prosthetics & Orthotics Centre that is more than double the size of our current space.
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The 2023 Donor Impact Report
Our 2023 Report to Donors celebrates our generous donor community and the impact their gifts have on the lives of West Park patients.
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Equipping the #NewWestPark
Did you know that West Park is buying 17,300 new pieces of furniture and equipment for the new hospital building?
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The Culinary Showdown
Join us on Sat, Oct 21 for the inaugural West Park Foundation Culinary Showdown, which will bring together 5 Celebrity Chefs and their teams of West Park supporters for an exhilarating, MasterChef-style competition!
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Geriatric Rapid Rehab Program
Learn about a new pilot project that offers a bridge to help seniors successfully transition from the emergency department and back to their homes.
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Moving House on a Massive Scale
Careful preparation will mean West Park employees can hit the ground running in the new hospital building when it opens in late November 2023.
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Physical Activity Intervention Research at West Park
West Park Amputee Research Scientist Dr. Crystal MacKay is conducting an exciting research study on peer support intervention to improve physical activity in people with Lower Limb Amputations.
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West Park Research Article Among Top 10
Critical research conducted at West Park was highlighted at the International Healthcare Design conference held in Texas last fall.
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The Therapy Pool in the New West Park
The therapy pool in the New West Park will be six times the size of the current pool with accessibility features to allow patients of varying abilities to access the benefits of hydrotherapy.
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A conversation with West Park Foundation's new CEO
Get to know Doug Earle, our new CEO, and learn his priorities for West Park Foundation.
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West Park Foundation appoints Doug Earle as CEO
West Park Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Earle as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 7.
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West Park Unveils New Visual Identity
Learn more about our new, contemporary logo, rooted in our connection to nature and dedication to helping people realize their potential.
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Foundation CEO to Retire
Joanne Cole is retiring after eight years as CEO of West Park Foundation. Her last day will be October 28.
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Learn About the Artistic Vision for the New West Park
Toronto Artist Mike Hammer gifts fourteen of his distinctive abstract art pieces to West Park, including some of his famous "blob" works.
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Creating Art, Music and Connection in Recreation Therapy
Recreation Therapy is giving patients the opportunity to explore their creative sides in art and music.
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Read the Fall issue of 'Giving Lives Back'
Read the Fall ’22 edition of the “Giving Lives Back” edition and learn about beautiful art for the new hospital, a reflection from our CEO, and a former patient who's giving back to West Park.
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Read our 2022 Donor Impact Report
Thanks to our donors, the past year was filled with excitement and achievement at West Park. Read our Donor Impact Report to learn more about the stories behind the generous support for our new hospital.
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West Park to Lead Provincial Long-Term Ventilation Strategy
Learn more about this exciting development for LTV patients across the province.
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Read the Summer Issue of 'Giving Lives Back'
Read the Summer ’22 edition of the “Giving Lives Back” edition and learn about West Park leading the provincial Long-Term Ventilation strategy, a long-time donor’s legacy, and the musical and artistic ventures of some of our patients.
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West Park Foundation Golf Classic
Our 2022 Golf Classic was a sell-out success in support of West Park’s critical mission.
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Watch our New Hospital Take Shape
Check out the latest videos on construction and see exciting previews about what our new hospital will look like and how it will serve patients.
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Read the Winter Issue of 'Giving Lives Back'
Winter at West Park saw the launch of our "I Am Not Done" Campaign, the creation of a time capsule, and exciting fundraising events. Learn more in the Winter issue of "Giving Lives Back".
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Wine, Dine, Valentine Was a Hit!
Thank you to all our participants and sponsors who joined us on February 12th for Wine, Dine, Valentine. This virtual culinary experience with Chef Lynn Crawford raised $124,000 towards our critical mission.
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Our Virtual Culinary Event Was a Great Success!
Thank you to all our participants and sponsors who joined us on October 22 for UNCORK UNTAP UNWIND. Our 6th annual event raised $115,000 in gross proceeds towards our critical mission.
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West Park Foundation Joins the Will Power Movement
There are many misconceptions about planned giving. The Will Power campaign is educating Canadians on the true impact of leaving a charitable gift in your will.
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20 Years of Service and Still Finding Time to Give Back
When Judeen Johnson is not working at West Park, she devotes much of her time and energy to giving back to the hospital and other causes close to her heart.
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The 2021 Golf Classic Was a Sell-Out Success
Thank you to all our participants for joining us on August 9 for a wonderful day of golf in support of West Park and the patients we serve. The event raised over $150,000 in gross revenue towards our critical cause.
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Read the 2021 Report to Donors
Read the remarkable stories behind some of the generous gifts we have received in the past year, and the impact they will have on the lives of our patients, their families and our staff.
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Wine, Dine, Summertime Was a Great Success!
Thank you to all our participants and sponsors who joined us on June 23 at Wine, Dine, Summertime, hosted by the Food Network Canada’s very own Chef Lynn Crawford.
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Read the Spring 2021 Issue of 'Giving Lives Back'
The latest issue of our newsletter includes a feature on West Park nurse Gayani Hettiarachchi, who has worked in the Chronic Assisted Ventilatory Care (CAVC) for nearly 14 years. Plus many more great stories.
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The 2021 Achilles St. Patrick’s Day Races Goes Virtual!
The West Park in Motion team enjoyed an exciting month of running, walking or wheeling their way towards the virtual finish line by accomplishing their challenge goals!
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Wine, Dine, Valentine Was a Sell-Out Success
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, February 14 for Wine, Dine, Valentine, presented by EllisDon and hosted by Food Network Canada personality, Chef Lynn Crawford.
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Important Update on the 2021 Tournament of Stars
With the ongoing restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re unable to hold the 2021 Tournament of Stars celebrity basketball event.
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Our First Virtual Uncork Was a Great Success!
Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 29 for our 5th Annual UNCORK UNTAP UNWIND, in support of West Park Healthcare Centre.
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Giving Lives Back as an Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists work alongside their patients to help them find solutions to the obstacles that interfere with their ability to perform activities of daily living.
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Patient Sells Artwork in Support of West Park
Robert Palpal has been an in-patient of West Park’s Tuberculosis service for the past several months. During this time, he has developed a passion for creating beautiful works of art.
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The New West Park Begins to Take Shape
New renderings show the hospital's outline overlaying the present construction site, and the in-patient and outpatient areas that will make up the new facility.
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Building for the Future
In a special op-ed for Your Guide to Charitable Giving and Estate Planning, our CEO Joanne Cole explores West Park’s past and how it’s helping to guide the hospital’s future.
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Past Patient Wins West Park Lottery
Congratulations to Marnie Whittaker of Collingwood, Ont., who is the winner of $10,000!
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Gourmet at Home with GEORGE was a Success
On June 18th, we hosted Gourmet at Home with GEORGE, a delectable virtual cooking adventure, expertly led by Chef Lorenzo Loseto, the award-winning Executive Chef at GEORGE Restaurant.
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Mother’s Neuro Rehab Inspires Daughter’s Career
When physiotherapist Melissa Duck was 11 years old, her mother Susan came to West Park for neurological rehabilitation.
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Patient Sells Artwork in Support of West Park
In the midst of this challenging time, Karen Mackay, a patient in West Park’s Complex Continuing Care unit, has chosen to learn a new skill and unleash her creativity through painting.
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Pandemic Shines Light on Vital Role of Respiratory Therapists
Three of our respiratory therapists discuss their role, the challenges presented by COVID-19 and how they are coping during this difficult time.
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West Park's Important Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic
West Park is helping to ensure that people who have become critically ill with the COVID-19 virus can be admitted to ICUs.
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Thank You to West Park’s Healthcare Heroes
We have reached out to our community to send messages of support, showing that they believe in our Front Line Workers.
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A Message From Our CEO Concerning COVID-19
As we deal with this unsettling time, I wanted to reach out to you and tell you how we are protecting our hospital community here at West Park.
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Celebrating the Generous Support of Three Families
On March 5th, West Park celebrated the support of three families that have made significant contributions to the Foundation's Get Your Life Back Campaign.
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February Was Recreation Therapy Awareness Month
When people think of recreation therapy at West Park, the first thing that may come to mind is the entertaining programming that is provided at the hospital
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New Year, New Entrance
If you have visited West Park in recent months, you would have noticed the bustling activity on campus.
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2019: Building Momentum and a World-Class Hospital
Fundraisers, construction discoveries and a brand new Lottery: thank you to our supporters for another great year!
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2018 Was a Momentous Year for West Park
Fundraisers, new appointments and a groundbreaking ushered in a bright new future for West Park Healthcare Centre!
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CIBC Donation
CIBC donation will create a new inpatient gymnasium at West Park.
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TD Donation
Leadership Gift from TD to Create New Resource Centre
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RBC Donation
RBC Donation will Create New Day Hospital at West Park
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