Feb. 3 – Premier Kathleen Wynne helped open a new pregnancy clinic in Thorncliffe Park, an initiative driven by South East Toronto FHT and their partners. The neighbourhood has the highest birth rate and highest proportion of children under age 14 in Toronto. Partners include The Midwives Clinic of East York — Don Mills, Toronto East General Hospital, Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Flemingdon Community Health Centre and South Riverdale Community Health Centre.

Dec. 15 - St. Michael’s Academic Hospital FHT was profiled for their work addressing patients’ income security in the Toronto Star. Dr. Andrew Pinto and Karen Tomlinson (both of whom presented on this project at AFHTO’s 2014 conference) along with Dr. Gary Bloch were all recognized for their innovative focus on one of the key social determinants of health. Click here for further details.

On Thursday, November 27, 2014 the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) held their 2014 President’s Installation and Awards Ceremony as part of their 52^nd Annual Scientific Assembly. Family health teams and their affiliated physicians figured prominently in the proceedings, not the least of which was London Family Health Team’s Dr.

Nov. 26 - The government of Ontario announced the launch of a pilot program as part of the province’s Low Back Pain Strategy. Six AFHTO member organizations will be participating in this pilot:

Congratulations to Dr. Linda Lee of the Centre for Family Medicine FHT. Announced at Health Quality Transformation 2014, Dr. Lee has been awarded a Minister’s Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality & Safety. The award is for her work with CFFM’s Primary Care Memory Clinic (an initiative for which she also received a 2012 Bright Lights award.) Drs.

Dr. John McDonald, a 2014 Bright Lights Award recipient is interviewed for a profile on his work providing inter-professional health care to patients and promoting the system across Ontario and beyond in the Brantford Expositor. Click here to read the full article. 

Dr. Judith Davidson, a 2014 Bright Lights Award recipient for her treatment of patients with chronic insomnia, is interviewed for a profile exploring her use of cognitive behavioural therapy in the Kingston Whig Standard and the Queen's Gazette. Click below to read the full articles.

AFHTO has awarded 12 innovators in ten categories for their work in making meaningful changes toward improving the patient experience, improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. There were seven total themes and three special awards. Six of the 12 award recipients will receive education grants.

The 2014 Annual Report gives insight into the progress of AFHTO members – family health teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics – collectively supported by their association, to move toward their shared vision.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has announced the launch of the second annual Minister's Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality and Safety. This annual recognition program aims to honour exceptional work across the health system and showcase successes in cross-sectoral collaboration of health system partners to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across the continuum.