Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has unveiled its new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, which focuses on transforming local healthcare through a two-site redevelopment model, emphasizing Quality Care and Safety, Partnerships and Collaboration, Innovation, and Team Strength.
During a Jan. 29 Huntsville general committee meeting, Cheryl Harrison, MAHC President and CEO, told council the refreshed strategic plan is focused on creating relations with internal and external partners while advancing the hospital transformation redevelopment project.
“We want to get together, provide outstanding integrated care to support people to live their healthiest lives. These words just didn’t appear on paper. This is what we heard from our community, from our internal team members, and I love our bold vision, transforming health care together,” she said.
The plan prioritizes the historic transformation of regional healthcare through the redevelopment of two modern, state-of-the-art hospital sites.
“Our current facilities, while having served the community well for decades, no longer meet the standards of today’s evolving healthcare environment,” states the plan.
The plan outlines that while each location will offer distinct services, the Bracebridge and Huntsville sites will operate in harmony to provide sustainable, compassionate care that supports the long-term health of Muskoka and its surrounding communities.
The Huntsville site will feature a Level 3 ICU, a designated stroke unit, and rehabilitation and reactivation services, while the Bracebridge site will serve as a surgical centre of excellence, offering enhanced diagnostic imaging, regional cancer care, and speciality clinics for women and seniors.
Harrison said they are currently in Stage 1.3 of the redevelopment, waiting for ministry review and discussion of the submission.
“We are just waiting, and we’ve answered every question that they need to know. And we’re hoping our schedule is to have to know by the spring,” she said.
The new plan is built around four key priorities, which include Quality Care and Safety, Partnerships and Collaboration, an Innovative Future, and Our Team is Our Strength.
Under the Quality Care and Safety pillar, the plan aims to lead strategies that drive continuous improvement and ensure seamless transitions in patient care.
The Partnerships and Collaboration priority aims to foster community engagement for better responsiveness to local health needs, deepen relationships with area physicians, and create a unified identity across both sites.
The Innovative Future priority focuses on adopting eco-friendly practices, utilizing technology to streamline service delivery, and maintaining strong financial health alongside operational excellence.
“The great thing with our new hospitals is that we have to look at innovation because the hospitals 10 years from now are going to look very different,” said Harrison.
Within the Our Team is Our Strength category, the goal is to cultivate a robust learning environment to attract and retain talent across all departments while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.
