The Sunnybrook Story
Earlier this fall, Sunnybrook Hospital celebrated the opening of the new helipad at the Bayview campus. Although Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has long been considered a pillar of the Don Valley West community, it wasn't always the same expansive care centre we know today.
When the hospital first opened its doors in 1919 at 350 Christie Street, it was known as the Toronto Military Orthopaedic Hospital and primarily accommodated the large influx of injured soldiers returning from Europe in the aftermath of the Great War.
Meanwhile, across town, a wealthy Toronto couple by the name of Joseph and Alice Kilgour purchased 154 acres in what was then known as the town of Leaside. It was here that they opened Sunnybrook Farm, where they raised horses and hosted fox hunts. Following Joseph's death in 1928, Alice donated the Sunnybrook Farm to the City of Toronto for use as a public park in his memory. With the consent of the Kilgour heirs, 400 hectares of Sunnybrook Park was transferred to the Government of Canada as a site for the new veterans' hospital.
Following the end of the Second World War, Sunnybrook Military Hospital officially opened its doors to veterans.
Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King opens Sunnybrook Military Hospital
By the 1960s, Sunnybrook began serving the greater public by opening emergency, radiology and family practice care areas. At this time, the University of Toronto also took over the administration of the hospital for the cost of just one silver dollar – thus, Sunnybrook Hospital was born!
In 1976, Sunnybrook Medical Centre established Canada's first regional Trauma and Stroke Care Units. Over the course of the next three decades, Sunnybrook would open numerous units that specialize in areas such as cardiovascular, palliative care, and cancer treatment services, as well as opening major research facilities. They continued to pioneer extensive and excellent care centres, including Canada's largest gynaecological unit, a rapid diabetes assessment clinic, an expanded breast cancer centre, and the first North American clinic designed to provide specialized care to women with physical mobility handicaps.
The opening of the Bayview Campus Helipad, October 2019
Today, Sunnybrook is the largest trauma centre in the country. Last month, a new helipad was constructed on the M-Wing roof of the Bayview Campus, which will improve access to care units for critically ill and severely injured patients. This $13.5-million project was funded almost entirely by donors and will save valuable time in patient transport. Councillor Robinson was honoured to have been involved in this integral project and is looking forward to continuing to collaborate with the dedicated Sunnybrook team.