Health Sciences North (HSN) and the Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) are proud to announce the launch of their new five-year Strategic Plan, Together For You 2030—a roadmap to transform health outcomes for the diverse people and communities of Northeastern Ontario.
The launch event featured moving personal stories from patients like Carla Bossart-Pletzer, who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2022 and now serves as the vice-chair for the Patient and Family Advisory Committee. “It's thanks to the care I received at one of the best cancer centres in Ontario---the Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Centre---paired with the cutting-edge research happening right here as part of our academic health sciences centre. When the healthcare system comes together, with high-quality care, impactful research and the incredible support of donors and community partners, truly amazing things can happen,” she said.
President and CEO David McNeil emphasized that the plan was created with and for the people of the Northeast. “Together For You 2030 is more than a plan—it’s a call to action,” he said. “It reflects the voices of over 2,800 people from across the region and addresses the unique health challenges we face, from across the age continuum of the population of the Northeastern Ontario. The plan addresses our most pressing issues including the need to expand the hospital and deal with health system capacity challenges. It addresses issues of sustainability and confronts significant healthcare needs of the region related to pediatrics, healthy aging, cancer care, cardiac health as well as mental health and addictions. Our plan is a commitment to improving health outcomes through innovation, collaboration, and bold partnerships to advance our mission as Northeastern Ontario’s Regional Academic Health Sciences Centre.”
The plan outlines five key goals: providing quality people-centred care; empowering human potential; advancing equity through social accountability; achieving healthcare excellence through education and research; and strengthening organizational sustainability. It also sets the stage for major capital expansion, including an upgrade to HSN’s emergency department.
Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre underscored the plan’s importance as Northeastern Ontario grows into a global mining leader. “With economic growth comes new families and pressures on our infrastructure. HSN’s role has never been more critical—and Together For You 2030 ensures we’re ready.”
As we move forward with the goals outlined in Together For You 2030, the need for support will only grow. We’re already seeing greater demand for services, and we know that demand will continue to increase in the years ahead.
Anthony Keating, President and CEO of the Health Sciences North Foundation also reinforced the importance of donors and the need for communities to rally around HSN moving forward, “Together, we’ve raised $35 million toward our capital expansion—but we’ll need to raise even more to ensure HSN is the right size for this region and can continue to provide exceptional care closer to home. If we are to deliver on our vision of a healthier North, we’ll need your support to revitalize our surgical suites with state-of-the-art robotic technology—helping us deliver excellent care and attracting top-tier surgical talent to the North,” said Keating.
Rylee Restoule, Health Sciences North Foundation Research Coordinator for the HSN Research Institute, reaffirmed the plan’s focus on equity and inclusion. “We are committed to building culturally safe and inclusive care environments,” she said. “This includes expanding access to traditional healing practices, French-language services, and Indigenous leadership in research and care delivery.”
Dr. Grace Ma, Colorectal Surgeon and Physician Wellness lead at HSN spoke to the importance of having empowering human potential as a key goal in the plan and the role that Team HSN - our employees and medical staff, learners, volunteers, research institute, foundation and Board of Directors – will play in achieving this plan. She said, “If we want to provide the best care, we need our people to be at their best. Together, we’ll create an environment where the incredible and dedicated members of Team HSN can thrive and feel supported, recognized, and celebrated.”
As Northeastern Ontario’s regional hospital and referral centre, HSN serves nearly 600,000 people across 400,000 square kilometres and supports 23 partner hospitals. Together For You 2030 charts a path to a healthier, more equitable, and innovative future—built with the people it serves and designed to meet the evolving needs of the region.