A message from our Chair of the Board and Past President and CEO
Since Unity Health Toronto came together as a network eight years ago, we have been guided by a deep commitment to caring for the whole person – mind, body and spirit – and to creating the best care experiences, together. In 2024-2025, informed by our Strategic Plan, we took a historic step forward in fulfilling this mission and saw the power of our network in action as teams across our sites worked together to meet the needs of our communities.
The implementation of our new Electronic Patient Record (EPR), powered by Epic Systems, is the most ambitious clinical transformation in our organization’s history. This monumental project – made possible by the tireless work of our Project Connect team and thousands of staff, physicians, learners and patient partners – brings all three of our sites together on one digital platform. For the first time, patients and care teams across St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence Healthcare are connected through a shared system that enhances safety, improves coordination, and gives patients more control over their care experience. Our new EPR also sets the stage for quantum leaps in our abilities to do work in quality and safety, operational efficiency and digital innovation.
Our strength is in our connections and in our communities, and this year we have demonstrated this more than ever.
Our new patient portal, MyChart powered by Epic, gives patients and families access to health records, test results and care plans from any device. It was built with equity in mind, offering ways to capture and respond to individual needs, identities and experiences and advances our commitment to inclusive and compassionate care for every person we serve.
Last year, teams across our hospitals and clinics launched new programs and partnerships to support our strategic priority of providing connected and coordinated care.
At Providence Healthcare, a new in-home rehabilitation pilot is transforming stroke recovery by providing patients with personalized therapy in their own homes. This innovative program is designed to bridge critical gaps in post-stroke care and improve outcomes for patients across the region.
Unity Health Toronto and Oak Valley Health collaborated to develop a streamlined care pathway that provides patients with timely access to advanced cardiac procedures and interventions at St. Michael’s Hospital. In addition, we also opened a new 36-bed, 25,000 square-foot Withdrawal Management Services facility, significantly enhancing our ability to promote wellness and recovery for clients living with substance use issues.
Our clinicians and scientists also tackled some of the biggest challenges in healthcare with advances in research and innovation.
Our researchers published a national study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal showing that CHARTWatch, an AI-powered lifesaving tool that uses data to predict patient deterioration, reduced unexpected deaths among hospitalized patients by 26%.
A study from St. Michael’s MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions revealed a concerning increase in accidental drug and alcohol-related deaths in Ontario, particularly those involving multiple substances, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive public health interventions. MAP research also led to Health Canada approving a dual HIV-Syphilis rapid test, enhancing early detection and treatment, especially in underserved communities.
Our researchers provided new insights into how cellular activation leads to fibrosis and organ scarring, advancing understanding of this major cause of death. While another St. Michael’s study found the longer immigrants reside in Canada, the greater their risk of developing multiple sclerosis, suggesting environmental factors play a significant role.
We also celebrated a Canadian first with the opening of an innovative hybrid biplane operating room at St. Michael’s, enabling life-saving, minimally invasive neurosurgical and cardiac procedures that push the boundaries of what’s possible in patient care.
And for the first time, Unity Health Toronto has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for our leadership in promoting Equity and Inclusion through initiatives like setting representation targets for Black and Indigenous leaders and launching an equity-based mentorship program – underscoring our dedication to reflect the diverse communities we serve.
The people of Unity Health are the force
behind our goal to deliver the best care
experiences, created together.
Unity Health has once again been named one of the Greater Toronto’s Top Employers – a distinction we’re proud to have earned for the fourth consecutive year. This recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering a supportive and innovative workplace culture, prioritizing staff well-being, and using advanced technologies like AI-driven tools and our state-of-the-art Simulation Program to enhance professional development and patient care.
This year’s theme, Advancing Care Together, reflects the spirit of collaboration and innovation at Unity Health and speaks to our collective drive to provide seamless, high-quality care.
As we reflect on this extraordinary year, we are filled with pride and gratitude – for the people who power Unity Health and for the communities we are privileged to serve. With a shared vision and unified platform, we are stepping into a new era of care: more connected, more informed, and more patient-centred than ever before.
We are advancing care – together.
Nora Aufreiter
Chair of the Board of Directors
Dr. Tim Rutledge
Past President and CEO
Thank you Dr. Tim Rutledge
As we reflect on Unity Health’s journey over the past year, I also want to recognize the significant impact that Dr. Tim Rutledge has had on this organization since we came together as one network. It has been a privilege for all who have had the opportunity to work alongside him and we wish him a happy retirement.
Tim joined Unity Health in 2018. As our inaugural President and CEO, he took on the immense task of unifying three hospital sites – St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence Healthcare – into one network committed to fulfill our tradition of compassionate quality care instilled in us by our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto. With vision, humility and tireless dedication, he brought people together under a shared mission and values, setting the foundation for what Unity Health has become: one of Canada’s leading academic health science organizations.
Tim led with deep integrity and empathy, always guided by what is right for our patients, staff and the broader communities we serve. From the launch of our first strategic plan to our response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim’s calm, courageous and principled leadership has been a source of strength and inspiration. He championed equity and inclusivity, ensuring they were not just ideals but embedded deeply in our practices and culture. His work in these areas will be among his most enduring legacies.
As Tim now prepares for his well-earned retirement, we offer our profound thanks – not only for what he has helped build, but for how he led: with heart, compassion and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Tim, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Unity Health community, thank you for your years of extraordinary service and steadfast leadership. You have left an indelible mark on this organization, and we are better for it. We wish you continued joy, good health, and precious time with your growing family in this next chapter.
With deepest gratitude and warmest wishes,
Nora Aufreiter
Chair of the Board of Directors
Welcome Altaf Stationwala
We are pleased to formally welcome Altaf Stationwala as President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto.
Since joining us this past summer, Altaf has already begun making a meaningful impact – bringing his unwavering ambition, thoughtful leadership and collaborative spirit to every aspect of our organization. With more than two decades of experience in health care leadership, Altaf has a strong track record of driving transformational change. Prior to joining Unity Health, he served for 13 years as President and CEO of Mackenzie Health, where he led the development of a two-hospital model, oversaw the opening of the state-of-the-art Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, and championed digital transformation across the organization.
Altaf’s commitment to innovation, health system integration, and delivering high-quality, patient-centered care makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide Unity Health into its next chapter. In his time with us so far, he has already demonstrated a deep understanding of the unique strengths of each of our sites, and a clear vision for building on our legacy while embracing fresh insight and opportunities for growth.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and deep commitment to equity, access and community partnership, Altaf shares our vision for compassionate and inclusive care. We are excited to be working alongside him as we advance our mission and serve our communities with excellence, innovation, and humanity.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, please join me in warmly welcoming Altaf to the Unity Health family.
Nora Aufreiter
Chair of the Board of Directors
Last updated October 14, 2025