Group Health Centre HPI Program Provincially Recognized

May 25, 2007 - Group Health Centre (GHC) was the recipient of one of six Celebrating Innovations in Health Care Expo 2007 Awards, presented by Ontario’s Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman yesterday in Toronto. GHC’s Health Promotion Initiatives (HPI) Program was the winner in the ‘Improving Quality and Patient Safety’ category.

"We are proud to honour these six winning organizations for their innovation, dedication to strengthening our public health care system and improving access to high quality care for all Ontarians," said Minister Smitherman. "Their outstanding creativity will have a lasting impact on our health care system."

After accepting the award in Toronto on behalf of the HPI Team, Dr. David Crookston, Algoma District Medical Group (ADMG) Family Physician and Chair of GHC’s HPI Program, stated: “It’s an honour to be recognized by the Ministry of Health and our provincial healthcare colleagues. This award is a tribute to the memory of Dr. Hui Lee, who was the driving force behind the creation of the program, and to our GHC team, as well as our patients, very important team members who benefit most from this innovative program. HPI’s slogan is “we make it happen” and through everyone’s participation, we are able to achieve the outstanding improvements in health outcomes that our patients continue to achieve.”

Dr. Patti Avery, ADMG President, said: “I would also like to acknowledge the HPI team and recognize the volume of work and time commitment on the part of the physician members of the HPI committee. Their dedication to team work and innovative ideas has helped achieve the outstanding outcomes we see in patient care today.”

Graham Clark, Group Health Association President & CEO, said: “We are very proud of the accomplishments of the HPI team, and congratulate everyone for the work that enabled it all to happen. We should be proud of this recognition of the progressive work being accomplished by the GHC partnership. We can be even more proud of the significance this has for the people in Sault Ste. Marie, who benefit from our innovative healthcare programs.”  

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Contact:
Elizabeth Bodnar, GHA Sr. Manager, Corporate Relations     
705-759-5529 or cell 705-542-9835
email: bodnar_e@ghc.on.ca