In the News
Check out the latest media coverage on Runnymede.
Runnymede’s lifeline for first responders’ mental health
OMERS Quarterly Member Newsletter
December 2024
OMERS recently featured Runnymede’s ground-breaking Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence for First Responders in its quarterly newsletter. With over 50,000 members who are First Responders, OMERS shares a strong connection to the vital work Runnymede is doing to provide mental health support and rehabilitation for those who serve our communities.
Comprehensive Redesign of a Rehabilitation Program at Runnymede Healthcare Centre
Healthcare Management Forum
November 7, 2024
This article in Healthcare Management Forum showcases how Runnymede Healthcare Centre redesigned its rehabilitation program to enhance patient care, staff satisfaction, and rehabilitation capacity. Key initiatives included group therapy models, measurable goals, and improved leadership practices, resulting in significant gains in patient satisfaction, staff engagement, and operational efficiency.
THE PENSION BLUEPRINT PODCAST: Mental health, PTSI and your pension
OMERS
October 2, 2024
Episode 3: Get a special close-up look at the lives and experiences of Ontario’s first responders in this episode. A panel discussion covers the importance of mental health, the challenges of post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) and what’s being done to support this community. Featuring: Celine Chiovitti, Chief Pension Officer, OMERS; Jon Reid, President, Toronto Police Association; Connie Dejak, President and CEO, Runnymede Health Centre; Mark Baxter, President, Police Association of Ontario.
Lieutenant Governor delivers Speech from the Throne
Premier of Ontario
August 9, 2022
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, delivered the Speech from the Throne where Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Rehabilitation Treatment and Assessment Centre was recognized.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
The Dispatch
Summer 2022
In March, when the announcement came that the Runnymede Healthcare Centre was opening a facility dedicated to the mental health of first responders, it came after four years of Connie’s vision, passion, education and dedication.
Ontario investing to improve mental health supports for first responders
Canadian Occupational Therapy
March 3, 2021
Ontario is investing $1 million to help provide better mental health supports for first responders. The funding will flow through the Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Rehabilitation Treatment and Assessment Centre, located in Peel Region.
Mental health centre to be built in Ontario for first responders
Global News Canada
March 3, 2021
A few weeks ago, dangerous thoughts raced through Kevin Doherty’s mind. The district chief with Toronto Fire was off work after getting his hip replaced and pain reverberated through his body.
Ontario Improving Access to Best-in-Class Mental Health Supports for First Responders
The Province of Ontario
March 3, 2021
The Ontario government is investing $1 million for Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Rehabilitation Treatment and Assessment Centre.
Federal support to Runnymede Healthcare Centre for feasibility study on PTSI for Public Safety Personnel
Public Safety Canada
March 3, 2021
Canada’s public safety personnel are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events that can take a toll on their mental health, putting them at high risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI) and other operational injuries.
Premier Ford makes an announcement in York
Premier of Ontario
March 3, 2021
Premier Doug Ford is joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General of Ontario, and Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, to make an announcement.
Province to fund treatment centre for first-responders experiencing PTSD; feds to fund study
Durham Radio News
March 3, 2021
The Ontario government says $1-million will go into a new treatment facility for first-responders experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from their jobs.
Premier Doug Ford announces funding for the Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s wellness and rehabilitation services project in Caledon
South Simcoe Today
October 15, 2021
Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Michael Tibollo, visited Runnymede Health Centre in Toronto yesterday. The Premier and Ministers discussed the action our government is taking, to help first responders suffering from PTSD.
Ontario breaks ground on new long-term care home in Toronto
CTV News Toronto
July 15, 2021
Ontario announced the groundbreaking of a new long-term care home in Toronto on Thursday afternoon. Runnymede Long-Term Care home, located near Dundas Street and Runnymede Road, is expected to be completed in 2021 and will create 200 new spaces for seniors.
Ontario Building New and Improved Long-Term Care in Toronto and Across Ontario
The Province of Ontario
July 15, 2021
The Ontario government is building a brand-new long-term care home in Toronto. With over 20,000 new and 15,000 upgraded spaces in development, Runnymede Long-Term Care Home is part of the province’s ongoing work to create a 21st century long-term care sector.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford on new long-term care home, COVID-19 reopening
Cable Public Affairs Channel
July 15, 2021
At a construction site in Toronto, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces his government is building a new long-term care home in the Runnymede neighbourhood of the city.
Runnymede safely reunites long-stay patients and families with easing of visiting restrictions
OHA Health System News and Seniors LifeStyle Magazine
August 1, 2020
When the Ontario government issued guidelines for the gradual reintroduction of hospital visitors, Runnymede acted with incredible speed, putting a detailed plan into action within days so long-stay patients could safely reunite with family after months of separation.
Runnymede welcomes family visitors
snapd Bloor West
August 1, 2020
Starting in late June, long-stay patients began to safely reunite outdoors with family after months of separation due to COVID-19.
‘It’s amazing’: Toronto man recovering after 104 days in ICU with COVID-19
CTV National News and CTV News
July 16, 2020
Bruno Iozzo, one of the first patients treated at Humber River Hospital for COVID-19, is undergoing rehab at Runnymede after months in ICU. After just five days in rehab, our interprofessional team has helped him get back on his feet and rebuild his strength.
Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation
Hospital News and Canadian Healthcare Facilities
June 1, 2020
Balancing patients’ emotional needs and their safety has never been more challenging than during the COVID-19 crisis. Find out how Runnymede developed a solution by putting patients and families at the centre of its decision-making process.
Nursing Week at Runnymede Healthcare Centre
snapd Bloor West
June 1, 2020
National Nursing Week was May 11-15, and Runnymede is grateful for their unwavering commitment to the care and safety of patients. The incredible devotion they have shown during this time has been an example to us all.
Social media prevents social isolation at Runnymede Healthcare Centre
Canadian Healthcare Technology
May 1, 2020
By rethinking how it delivers programs and using technology in innovative ways, Runnymede Healthcare Centre ensures patients are safe during their hospital stay, without sacrificing the patient experience.
Runnymede Healthcare Staff during the COVID-19 crisis
Snapd Bloor West
May 1, 2020
Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s ability to rise to unexpected challenges has never been clearer than in our response to the global COVID-19 crisis.
Social Distancing Doesn’t Have to Mean Social Isolation
Seniors LifeStyle Magazine
April 7, 2020
Balancing patients’ emotional needs and their safety has never been more challenging than during the COVID-19 crisis.