By Skaidra Puodziunas

The outdoor community day in celebration of the second anniversary of the Sumac Creek Health Centre
The outdoor community day in celebration of the second anniversary of the Sumac Creek Health Centre.

Yesterday the Sumac Creek Health Centre, one of six St. Michael’s Family Health Team clinics, celebrated its second anniversary by hosting an outdoor community day. More than 250 community members gathered at 73 Regent Park Blvd. to enjoy the summer weather over hot dogs, ice cream, dancing and more.

Since opening its doors in July 2015, more than 5,000 new patients have enrolled at Sumac Creek Health Centre, many of whom live with a low income and are immigrants to Canada.

“When we opened Sumac Creek two years ago, we promised that we’d be engaged not just with our patients but with the community so that we could deliver services and support that meets their needs,” said Jacqueline Chen, Clinical Leader Manager of the Sumac Creek Health Centre. “Regent Park is a special place and our anniversary is a chance to recognize and celebrate the community that has been so welcoming.”

The community day event included an ice cream truck and barbeque for Sumac Creek’s neighbours. Registered nurses, physiotherapists and registered dieticians were on hand sharing information about clinic services but also answering general questions about health practices.

The fun-filled festivities also offered free backpacks for children, colouring stations and a face-paint booth staffed by Sumac Creek personnel. At one point, several members of the Family Health Team and community members took part in a group dance.

With its six clinics, St. Michael’s Family Health Team is the largest academic family health team in Ontario. St. Michael’s focus on health equity and the social determinants of health has meant patients of these clinics can also receive non-medical assistance in areas such as finance, legal aid, social activity planning and help accessing basics needs such as food and clothing.

The clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and social workers—many of whom joined in the day’s events. The Sumac Creek Health Centre offers on-site services such as laboratories for blood and urine tests, diagnostic imaging and chiropody. The site also offers intensive mental health outreach support through FOCUS, a partnership program between St. Michael’s Mental Health and Addiction Services and Cota.

If you’re looking for a family doctor, our Sumac Creek Family Health Team site is accepting patients from area codes: M4X, M5A and M5E. If you live in one of these areas, please call our patient booking line at 416- 864-3076.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 29 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.