November 2, 1998

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Created

With the successful amalgamation of the three original hospitals and the appointment of the President and CEO, the new Board of Directors met for the first time to discuss the future of Toronto Rehab.

November 1998

Five Rehab Programs and Complex Continuing Care Implemented

The recruitment of Medical and Operations directors for the six rehabilitation programs marked the beginning of Toronto Rehab's new clinical structure:

November 1998

Dr. Gaetan Tardif Appointed V.P. of Medicine

Agreed upon by Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital and the University Health Network, Dr. Tardif was recruited to be the joint chief of rehabilitation medicine for all three hospitals.

April 1999

Foundations Merge

With the amalgamation of the hospitals came the decision to bring together the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Foundation and the Lyndhurst Hospital Foundation boards.

October 2000

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care announces Funding

Elizabeth Witmer committed $15 million ($3 million over five years) to fund rehabilitation research at Toronto Rehab.

October 2000

VP of Research Named

Dr. Jack Williams was named Vice President of Research at Toronto Rehab with a mandate to lead the hospital's new research program.

October 2000

First Endowed Chair in Research Co-Funded by U of T

With matching funds from the Toronto Rehab Foundation and the University of Toronto, a $3 million joint chair in rehabilitation research was created.

October 2000

The Saunderson Family Chair Created

Thanks to a private donation made by Bill and Meredith Saunderson, a chair in their family's name was created to support research in the field of acquired brain injury.

October 2000

Spinal Cord Research Fellowship Established

The Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario instituted a fellowship designed to yield $70,000 a year for a Clinical Research Fellow in spinal cord research.

November 2000

Toronto Rehab Team Wins Best Practice Award

At the 2000 Ontario Hospital Association's annual convention and exhibition, Toronto Rehab won the Healthcare Paper National Best Practices Award for the project: An Interprofessional Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Initiative.

January 2001

Oncology Rehabilitation Service Launched

Toronto Rehab's Musculoskelatal (MSK) Rehabilitation Program launched the city's only Oncology Rehabilitation Service that specializes in rehabilitation services for people who have cancer of the musculoskelatal system.

January 2001

Multiple Trauma Rehab Service Launched

A new Multiple Trauma Rehab service, also part of the Musculoskelatal MSK Rehab Program, was launched. This unique service is for people who experience multiple injuries, often as a result of traumatic circumstances.

February 2001

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program Launches Pilot Project

Toronto Rehab's Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program launched a pilot project with the goal of coordinating and evaluating access and delivery of cardiac rehabilitation services in Ontario.

2001

Toronto Rehab Receives Three-Year Accreditation

In its first ever survey, the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute received the highest available award from the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation - a full three-year award.

October 2002

VP, Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Officer Appointed

Karima Velji was appointed Vice President, Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Officer. Karima came to Toronto Rehab from Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, with the goal of advancing patient-centred care through professional practice.

April 2002

Hemodialysis Service Begins

In collaboration with the University Health Network, Toronto Rehab began providing dialysis treatments for geriatric and complex continuing care patients at its new dialysis suite at University Centre.

2002

Toronto Rehab's Challenge Card Campaign and Magazine Win Awards

Winning six awards in five competitions, Toronto Rehab's Challenge Card Campaign has been recognized internationally, promoting the hospital's outstanding services

June 2003

Toronto Rehab Co-Recipient of he National 3M Health Care Quality Team Award

The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital were awarded the National 3M Health Care Quality Team Award in non-acute care for the development of a new tool to measure outpatient satisfaction levels.

September 2003

New VP of Research

After the retirement of Dr. Jack Williams in June 2003, Dr. Geoff Fernie joined Toronto Rehab as Vice President, Research. Dr. Fernie is a distinguished researcher whose numerous innovations have helped people with disabilities overcome the day-to-day difficulties they encounter.

April 2004

Toronto Rehab receives second full accreditation

In its second accreditation survey by the Canadian Council for Health Services Accreditation, Toronto Rehab again received top accreditation standing.

October 22, 2004

Toronto Rehab's Lakeside Long-Term Care Centre Grand Opening

Ontario Health Minister, George Smitherman, officially opened Toronto Rehab's newest facility, Lakeside Long-Term Care Centre, a 128-bed residence operated by Extendicare (Canada) Inc. The opening of Lakeside brings the number of Toronto Rehab's clinical programs to seven.