Two men, one in black scrubs and the other in a red checked shirt, stand together in front of a hospital imaging scanner.

Your philanthropy at work

Our community’s generosity makes its greatest impact by supporting the highest-priority needs at Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH). Take a closer look at the difference donors made this past year and hear directly from our care teams about why it matters.

First-in-Canada technology

Behind every patient sample at MSH is our Laboratory Services team, providing vital results that help care teams make critical decisions every day. Thanks to community investment this past year, Oak Valley Health became the first site in Canada to install the Dxl 9000 Access Immunoassay Analyzer — a highly advanced system that is setting a new standard of care.

By maximizing information from every blood sample, this premiere system detects issues and responds to patient needs earlier, while producing more consistent results with shorter turnaround times. It moves blood samples automatically throughout the lab to avoid manual handling and can complete up to 450 tests per hour — an incredible advantage for a team that completes more than 1.8 million lab interventions at MSH each year, and more than 2.5 million in total across Oak Valley Health.

“We are extremely grateful for the incredible community support that has allowed us to purchase brand new, state-of-the-art Chemistry analyzers,” says Brent Burgess, Manager, Pathology. “Their advanced technology and innovative features have streamlined workflows, improved turn-around times, and supported our commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.”

A new chapter in diagnostics

With help from donor support, MSH’s Carlo & Angela Baldassarra Family Centre for Diagnostic Services is embracing advanced imaging and improving how it detects, diagnoses, and guides care for patients in our community.

Our hospital recently became the first in the region, and the second in Ontario, to install GE Healthcare’s StarGuide SPECT/CT scanner, bringing next-generation imaging capabilities to York and Durham regions.

With enhanced imaging that supports greater diagnostic accuracy and precision, the StarGuide offers important benefits for patients, including shorter scan times, the potential for lower radiation exposure, and improved detection of smaller lesions. Its cutting-edge technology will also support the future delivery of theranostics — an emerging approach in nuclear medicine that combines diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy to advance cancer care.

“On behalf of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Oak Valley Health, thank you to our generous donors for making our new StarGuide camera possible. Your support keeps MSH at the forefront of imaging technology, so we can provide the advanced, high-quality care our community relies on, close to home,” says Dr. Anoosh Sharif, Radiologist.

A clear picture of care

Our hospital’s X-ray services support inpatient care, the Emergency Department, and outpatient clinics, as well as referrals from community-based providers. To continue providing our growing community with the best resources possible, MSH updated its X-ray Department with the Carestream system this fall — an investment made possible by MSH Foundation’s generous supporters.

The Carestream system’s advanced technology produces clearer and highly detailed images, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses. Its superior range of motion puts patient comfort at the forefront of its design, while allowing care teams to offer a greater range of services and exam types. It also uses a lower dose of radiation, making imaging safer, especially for patients requiring frequent scans.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous donors for supporting the new Carestream X-ray equipment. Your generosity helps us enhance patient care, improve diagnostic capabilities, and ensure our community has greater access to quality care and equipment,” says Lauren Thornhill, Team Leader, Radiology.

“We are truly grateful for your continued support and investment in Oak Valley Health’s Diagnostic Services and supporting the well-being of the patients we support,” adds Julie Nguyen, X-ray Technical Specialist.

Growing with our community

The demand for cancer care in our community is rising each year. More than 7,600 chemotherapy sessions were facilitated at MSH last year, with all 14 chemotherapy chairs full and treating upwards of 30 patients daily.

This past year, our generous donors helped fund the ongoing renovation of The Shakir Rehmatullah Cancer Centre to help this vital care space keep pace with our growing and aging population. Donor support enabled the upcoming addition of three new chemotherapy chairs, and improved patient spaces such as an expanded waiting area. With construction underway, plans also include the addition of an oncology pharmacy adjacent to cancer centre for streamlined care.

“It’s wonderful to see these improvements taking shape knowing how much they’ll help our patients feel comfortable and cared for. The renovations will create a more welcoming waiting room, improve access to specialized medication support, and add much-needed chemotherapy bays,” says Melissa Antonios, Registered Nurse, Oncology Clinic.

“Thanks to your generosity, more people will be able to access cancer care and support they need in the community they call home. Thank you!”

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