Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A hospital network in northwest Toronto will rename its flagship site in recognition of two people who have donated $50 million, its CEO says.
Humber River Hospital, on Wilson Avenue near Keele Street, will be known as Hennick Humber Hospital following the donation by local business leaders Jay and Barbara Hennick, according to Barb Collins, president of Humber River Health. The donation was made through the Hennick Family Foundation.
“This investment will help propel Humber River Health into its next chapter of excellence in care, in innovation and impact,” Collins said at a news conference Friday.
Collins said the donation is “transformational” to the health network and represents one of the largest philanthropic donations given to a community hospital in Canada.
“Its impact will be felt far beyond these walls.”
Collins said the money will allow Humber River Health to spend on advanced technologies, clinical programs, research and education and it will empower its staff to keep delivering quality health care. Humber River Hospital calls itself Canada’s first fully digital hospital.
It’s ‘not just an ordinary community hospital,’ donor says
Jay Hennick told the news conference that he and Barbara Hennick are proud to support Humber River Health and chose the hospital because they wanted their donation to have the greatest impact possible.
“Humber is not just an ordinary community hospital. It’s a leader in digital health, in clinical integration, in patient-centred care,” Hennick said.
“We were impressed not only by what Humber has built, but by the vision and the culture behind it.”
The announcement drew Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Sylvia Jones, Solictor General Michael Kerzner, who represents York Centre, York South Weston MPP Mohamed Firin and Toronto councillor James Pasternak, among other government officials.
Ford, who also spoke at the news conference, said the hospital is close to his family’s heart because he and his siblings were born at Humber River Hospital’s former Church Street site. He said the provincial government continues to support the hospital.
“Humber is using cutting-edge technology to ensure patients experience less pain and have fewer risks and complications and spend less time in the hospital,” Ford said.
Ford said the announcement celebrates the “extraordinary gift” from “two incredible people” and he thanked the Hennicks for their donation, calling them compassionate about health care.
“We’re forever, forever grateful,” he said. “We cannot run the health-care system without philanthropists like yourself.”