Image
Our Year, Our Stories
In moments of reflection, it is stories that mark our journey through the year. Stories of achievements, of partnerships that have propelled us forward, and of bold investments in our future – all that reflect the heart of who we are at St. Joseph’s.
Looking back on the past year, St. Joseph’s has told many stories celebrating both exciting milestones and everyday moments. Through reading, engaging and sharing, our community has lifted those moments with us.
Central to our work at St. Joseph’s is our drive to create a stronger and healthier city, region, country and world. Our leadership in the City of London’s Health and Homelessness: Whole-of-System Response, along with a landmark partnership with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to address workplace injuries and illnesses across Ontario, are powerful examples of how our commitment to collaboration is making a meaningful impact – both here at home and far beyond.
In parallel, our expert programs and services not only advance care, they play a vital role in supporting and strengthening the health of our community.
Our 2024/2025 Annual Report to the Community is a thank-you for being part of the St. Joseph’s journey. It highlights the stories that resonated the most with our community this year – from the launch of Lawson Research Institute, to a behind-the-scenes look at a day-in-the-life of our Forensic Rehabilitation team, and more.
As you explore our Annual Report, you will revisit the defining moments and stories that brought this past year to life and set the stage for what comes next.
We now look ahead through the lens of a new, ambitious strategic plan and refreshed mission, vision and values. Recently launched, they serve as a roadmap for St. Joseph’s and speak to our core purpose and the aspirations that guide our future. We look forward to sharing our progress and impact in the coming year and in the years to follow.
Roy Butler, PhD, President and CEO
and
Nawaz Tahir, Chair, Board of Directors
Treasurer's Report
St. Joseph’s ended the 2024/25 fiscal year in a strong financial position despite facing significant system pressures. Demand for hospital services continues to grow, while at the same time, cost pressures have intensified across all areas of operation.
St. Joseph’s met all volume accountabilities as established with Ontario Health including 336,000 patient/resident days, 23,600 surgeries, 51,100 urgent care visits and 848,000 outpatient and outreach visits.
St. Joseph’s ended the year with an accounting surplus of $19.9 million driven by strong performance of our investment portfolio and unplanned one-time funding from government. The surplus will enable important investments including ongoing renewal of our facilities, new clinical and corporate systems and strengthening partnerships across our health system and community.
A strong financial foundation allowed St. Joseph’s to make important investments in clinical care, infrastructure, and technology during the 2024/25 year. These investments included $32 million in capital improvements, including further expansion of our hospital-wide electronic health record system. Investments were also made in diagnostic imaging equipment and patient care environments, ensuring our facilities are well-positioned to meet future demand. These investments were made possible through a combination of hospital resources, government capital funding, and generous contributions from our Foundation and community donors.
As we look ahead, we recognize that the pressures facing our health care system will continue to grow. Inflationary cost increases, funding uncertainties, and rising service demands will require us to work differently, build new partnerships, and continue innovating. In the face of these challenges, St. Joseph’s remains committed to delivering care that aligns to our mission and values.
Mary Gillett,
Treasurer, St. Joseph's Health Care London Board of Directors
Feature Stories
$65.75M grant positions Lawson as Canadian leader in workplace-injury research
THE BIG PICTURE: In January, an investment by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to St. Joseph’s was announced to transform occupational illness and injury.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The investment launched the Occupational Injury Prevention and Treatment Research Network – a first-in-Canada hub where people, technology and science-backed innovation will help solve the human and health costs of occupational injury and illness.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Lawson Research Institute is now a global leader in finding solutions to the most pervasive issues affecting people in the workplace – including chronic pain, physical disability and mental health conditions. Every year they account for almost 250,000 claims registered through the WSIB, with benefit payments of approx. $2.5 billion.
Read why this investment from WSIB is a gamechanger for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of workplace injuries and illness for Ontarians.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The investment launched the Occupational Injury Prevention and Treatment Research Network – a first-in-Canada hub where people, technology and science-backed innovation will help solve the human and health costs of occupational injury and illness.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Lawson Research Institute is now a global leader in finding solutions to the most pervasive issues affecting people in the workplace – including chronic pain, physical disability and mental health conditions. Every year they account for almost 250,000 claims registered through the WSIB, with benefit payments of approx. $2.5 billion.
Read why this investment from WSIB is a gamechanger for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of workplace injuries and illness for Ontarians.
Discovery-driven, patient-focused
THE BIG PICTURE: In October, St. Joseph’s launched Lawson Research Institute, the research arm of the organization. Supported by 250 scientists and associate scientists, and a team of staff members, physicians, students, patients, donors and academic and funding partners – Lawson leads health research.
WHAT THIS MEANS: St. Joseph’s has a strong history in health research that has propelled Lawson to become a renowned leader in work that improves the lives of people regionally and around the world.
WHY THIS MATTERS: In imaging, mobility and activity, mental health, surgical specialties, endocrinology, metabolism and chronic diseases, and aging, Lawson is leading in researching some of the most pervasive health issues our world is facing.
DIVE DEEPER: St. Joseph’s is committed to sharing the discoveries that improve lives. Read more to see how Lawson LEADS in discovery-driven, patient-focused health research.
WHAT THIS MEANS: St. Joseph’s has a strong history in health research that has propelled Lawson to become a renowned leader in work that improves the lives of people regionally and around the world.
WHY THIS MATTERS: In imaging, mobility and activity, mental health, surgical specialties, endocrinology, metabolism and chronic diseases, and aging, Lawson is leading in researching some of the most pervasive health issues our world is facing.
DIVE DEEPER: St. Joseph’s is committed to sharing the discoveries that improve lives. Read more to see how Lawson LEADS in discovery-driven, patient-focused health research.
A dream come true
THE BIG PICTURE: St. Joseph’s is supporting the integration of internationally trained nurses into Ontario's health care system through the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) program.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The SPEP program offers internationally educated nurses a structured pathway to meet Ontario's licensing requirements, while leveraging their experience. This approach not only addresses staffing needs but also enriches the organization and enhances patient care.
WHY THIS MATTERS: By embracing the expertise of internationally trained nurses, St. Joseph’s fosters a more inclusive and skilled workforce. Nurses like Bryan Sanchez and Blessing Eleleme exemplify the program's success. Their stories highlight the transformative impact of the SPEP program on easing the transition of internationally trained nurses into the Canadian health care system.
DIVE DEEPER: Read more about Bryan and Blessing’s nursing journey and St. Joseph’s role with the SPEP program.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The SPEP program offers internationally educated nurses a structured pathway to meet Ontario's licensing requirements, while leveraging their experience. This approach not only addresses staffing needs but also enriches the organization and enhances patient care.
WHY THIS MATTERS: By embracing the expertise of internationally trained nurses, St. Joseph’s fosters a more inclusive and skilled workforce. Nurses like Bryan Sanchez and Blessing Eleleme exemplify the program's success. Their stories highlight the transformative impact of the SPEP program on easing the transition of internationally trained nurses into the Canadian health care system.
DIVE DEEPER: Read more about Bryan and Blessing’s nursing journey and St. Joseph’s role with the SPEP program.
New Kidney Stone Treatment Clears Fragments In One Go
THE BIG PICTURE: In a North American first, St. Joseph’s debuted an evolution in the treatment of kidney stones. Now, urologists have the possibility of completely clearing stone fragments in a single procedure and significantly decreasing the risk of recurrence.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Using a flexible ureteral access tube (sheath) as part of standard ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, stone fragments broken up by the laser are suctioned out of the kidney during the procedure. This eliminates the need for patients to pass the fragments on their own after treatment, which can be painful and may not result in all fragments passing.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Research shows the prevalence of kidney stones is on the rise. The new ureteral access sheath may allow the removal of stones up to three centimeters or larger using the less invasive ureteroscopy and laser procedure in a single treatment, rather than removing through an incision in the patient’s back.
DIVE DEEPER: St. Joseph’s has a long history of innovative firsts in urological care. Read more about this legacy and the people behind this work.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Using a flexible ureteral access tube (sheath) as part of standard ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, stone fragments broken up by the laser are suctioned out of the kidney during the procedure. This eliminates the need for patients to pass the fragments on their own after treatment, which can be painful and may not result in all fragments passing.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Research shows the prevalence of kidney stones is on the rise. The new ureteral access sheath may allow the removal of stones up to three centimeters or larger using the less invasive ureteroscopy and laser procedure in a single treatment, rather than removing through an incision in the patient’s back.
DIVE DEEPER: St. Joseph’s has a long history of innovative firsts in urological care. Read more about this legacy and the people behind this work.
Groundbreaking Alzheimer’s and cancer studies receive $7.2M boost
THE BIG PICTURE: Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) received $7.2 million in funding to advance the detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and personalize cancer care using molecular imaging and theranostics.
WHAT THIS MEANS: St. Joseph’s has a new, high-sensitivity GE HealthCare Omni Legend 2 PET/CT – the first in Canada. Using this PET/CT, researchers will study blood flow and glucose metabolism in the brain, both of which are believed to be contributing factors in the onset of Alzheimer’s. The cancer study will focus on theranostic techniques to better understand the exact amount of radiation a patient should receive during treatment.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The research has the potential to offer hope for solutions to some of the most prevalent and pernicious diseases affecting Canadians. For Alzheimer’s disease, the team hopes to uncover early signs that the brain is in trouble. For cancer, the hope is to maximize effective treatment while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
DIVE DEEPER: Molecular imaging and theranostics is a rapidly emerging field of medicine. Read how this investment positions Lawson as a leader in this area of research.
RELATED READ: In the first study of its kind, researchers at Lawson and Western University have found that about half of dementia cases in Canada can be influenced by 12 lifestyle factors. Read how many people could greatly improve their odds against developing dementia by making four, low-cost lifestyle changes.
WHAT THIS MEANS: St. Joseph’s has a new, high-sensitivity GE HealthCare Omni Legend 2 PET/CT – the first in Canada. Using this PET/CT, researchers will study blood flow and glucose metabolism in the brain, both of which are believed to be contributing factors in the onset of Alzheimer’s. The cancer study will focus on theranostic techniques to better understand the exact amount of radiation a patient should receive during treatment.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The research has the potential to offer hope for solutions to some of the most prevalent and pernicious diseases affecting Canadians. For Alzheimer’s disease, the team hopes to uncover early signs that the brain is in trouble. For cancer, the hope is to maximize effective treatment while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
DIVE DEEPER: Molecular imaging and theranostics is a rapidly emerging field of medicine. Read how this investment positions Lawson as a leader in this area of research.
RELATED READ: In the first study of its kind, researchers at Lawson and Western University have found that about half of dementia cases in Canada can be influenced by 12 lifestyle factors. Read how many people could greatly improve their odds against developing dementia by making four, low-cost lifestyle changes.
In the right hands at the right time
THE BIG PICTURE: In 2018, Tiffany Lukas had a routine pap test show abnormal cells and, after a minor procedure, was told she had very early-stage cervical cancer. Tiffany’s diligence in screening meant that the cancer was caught before it could progress and become invasive.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Early diagnosis and intervention is key for catching cervical cancer before it progresses. Most cervical cancers are found in individuals who have never been screened or aren’t screened regularly. With many Canadians currently without a family doctor, St. Joseph’s hosted the Pop-Up Pap Test Clinic to offer screening for people in the general public.
WHY THIS MATTERS: St. Joseph’s first Pop-Up Pap Test Clinic was hugely successful, seeing 103 patients. Since then, St. Joseph’s has hosted a number of these clinics and continued to see heavy interest from the community. Providing routine screening saves lives for people who may have been undiagnosed due to a lack of screening. Because Tiffany’s cancer was caught early, she was given the gift of time to grow her family before undergoing the recommended hysterectomy to avoid recurrence.
DIVE DEEPER: Read more about Tiffany’s story and the gap the Pop-Up Pap Test Clinics fill in the community.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Early diagnosis and intervention is key for catching cervical cancer before it progresses. Most cervical cancers are found in individuals who have never been screened or aren’t screened regularly. With many Canadians currently without a family doctor, St. Joseph’s hosted the Pop-Up Pap Test Clinic to offer screening for people in the general public.
WHY THIS MATTERS: St. Joseph’s first Pop-Up Pap Test Clinic was hugely successful, seeing 103 patients. Since then, St. Joseph’s has hosted a number of these clinics and continued to see heavy interest from the community. Providing routine screening saves lives for people who may have been undiagnosed due to a lack of screening. Because Tiffany’s cancer was caught early, she was given the gift of time to grow her family before undergoing the recommended hysterectomy to avoid recurrence.
DIVE DEEPER: Read more about Tiffany’s story and the gap the Pop-Up Pap Test Clinics fill in the community.
A day in the life of the Forensic Rehabilitation Team
THE BIG PICTURE: The Forensic Rehabilitation Unit (FRU) at St. Joseph’s Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care provides specialized care for individuals with severe mental health conditions who have come into contact with the law. Patients are typically in the final stages of their inpatient journey, focusing on rehabilitation and preparing for community reintegration.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The FRU operates with a multidisciplinary team approach, emphasizing individualized care and skill development to support patients' transition back into society. The team works collaboratively to address various aspects of patient care, facilitating a holistic approach to recovery.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The work of the forensic rehabilitation team is crucial in challenging societal misconceptions about forensic mental health care patients. By focusing on rehabilitation and community reintegration, the team helps reduce stigma and supports patients in rebuilding their lives.
DIVE DEEPER: The team is comprised of occupational therapists, social workers, therapeutic recreation specialists, nurses and more. To see what a day in their life looks like, read more.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The FRU operates with a multidisciplinary team approach, emphasizing individualized care and skill development to support patients' transition back into society. The team works collaboratively to address various aspects of patient care, facilitating a holistic approach to recovery.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The work of the forensic rehabilitation team is crucial in challenging societal misconceptions about forensic mental health care patients. By focusing on rehabilitation and community reintegration, the team helps reduce stigma and supports patients in rebuilding their lives.
DIVE DEEPER: The team is comprised of occupational therapists, social workers, therapeutic recreation specialists, nurses and more. To see what a day in their life looks like, read more.
‘Discovery comes from great questions’
THE BIG PICTURE: Lisa Porter, Vice President of Research and Scientific Director at St. Joseph’s, is propelled by the conviction that curiosity inspires better health research and patient care.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Lisa builds St. Joseph’s robust and long-standing legacy of discovery and innovation. She has a deep appreciation for the importance of multi-disciplinary, collaborative research that includes patients and the community to ensure maximum positive impact in health care.
WHY THIS MATTERS: As St. Joseph’s increases its local and global impact, Lisa envisions an expanded medley of partnerships bringing about a broader network of influence.
“I want research to be everyone, everywhere,” she says.
DIVE DEEPER: Read more about Lisa’s deep appreciation of multi-disciplinary, collaborative research and her role at St. Joseph’s.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Lisa builds St. Joseph’s robust and long-standing legacy of discovery and innovation. She has a deep appreciation for the importance of multi-disciplinary, collaborative research that includes patients and the community to ensure maximum positive impact in health care.
WHY THIS MATTERS: As St. Joseph’s increases its local and global impact, Lisa envisions an expanded medley of partnerships bringing about a broader network of influence.
“I want research to be everyone, everywhere,” she says.
DIVE DEEPER: Read more about Lisa’s deep appreciation of multi-disciplinary, collaborative research and her role at St. Joseph’s.
Paving the way for change
THE BIG PICTURE: Dr. Sukhmeet Sachal, a resident training at St. Joseph’s, is just getting started in medicine, yet he is already recognized as a global leader, thinker, doer and changemaker. Last year, Dr. Sachal was named a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeeper.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers are a global collective of diverse changemakers. This honour was given to Dr. Sachal for his work co-founding the Break the Divide Foundation, connecting youth nationwide for mental health and climate action, and the Sikh Health Foundation to enhance health interventions in Canadian South Asian communities with a cultural focus.
WHY THIS MATTERS: As a resident, Dr. Sachal hopes his community work and aspirations in plastic and reconstructive surgery will merge to offer reconstructive surgery for women and survivors of violence who have suffered disfigurement. For Dr. Sachal, helping the most people possible is his goal.
DIVE DEEPER: Dr. Sachal’s journey into medicine started at the age of five – read more to learn how his childhood experiences led him to where he is now.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers are a global collective of diverse changemakers. This honour was given to Dr. Sachal for his work co-founding the Break the Divide Foundation, connecting youth nationwide for mental health and climate action, and the Sikh Health Foundation to enhance health interventions in Canadian South Asian communities with a cultural focus.
WHY THIS MATTERS: As a resident, Dr. Sachal hopes his community work and aspirations in plastic and reconstructive surgery will merge to offer reconstructive surgery for women and survivors of violence who have suffered disfigurement. For Dr. Sachal, helping the most people possible is his goal.
DIVE DEEPER: Dr. Sachal’s journey into medicine started at the age of five – read more to learn how his childhood experiences led him to where he is now.
Recognizing a pain pioneer
THE BIG PICTURE: Joy MacDermid, co-director of the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC) at St. Joseph’s, has been honoured with the Order of Ontario for her foundational work bringing pain perception to the forefront of patient care.
WHAT THIS MEANS: When MacDermid started in HULC thirty years ago, there was no process for collecting patients pain experiences and their perception of their pain. MacDermid knew there had to be a solution – so she created one. Patient-reported outcome measures – tools that collect patients’ perceptions of their health – were pioneered by her, a method that captures patients’ first-hand experiences of their pain.
WHY THIS MATTERS: People often forget their pain once it’s relieved. Patient-reported outcome measures counteract the forgetfulness of the human mind and make evaluating treatment more accurate.
DIVE DEEPER: The Order of Ontario recognizes Ontarians who have left a provincial, national and global legacy in a variety of fields. Read how MacDermid’s legacy has grown alongside HULC’s, and the impact of her work.
WHAT THIS MEANS: When MacDermid started in HULC thirty years ago, there was no process for collecting patients pain experiences and their perception of their pain. MacDermid knew there had to be a solution – so she created one. Patient-reported outcome measures – tools that collect patients’ perceptions of their health – were pioneered by her, a method that captures patients’ first-hand experiences of their pain.
WHY THIS MATTERS: People often forget their pain once it’s relieved. Patient-reported outcome measures counteract the forgetfulness of the human mind and make evaluating treatment more accurate.
DIVE DEEPER: The Order of Ontario recognizes Ontarians who have left a provincial, national and global legacy in a variety of fields. Read how MacDermid’s legacy has grown alongside HULC’s, and the impact of her work.
An “extraordinary career”
THE BIG PICTURE: Dr. Susan McNair, Medical Director of the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program (RSADVTP) at St. Joseph’s, has been honoured by the 2025 YMCA Women of Excellence for her work as a leader and passionate advocate for the care of those who have experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The YMCA Women of Excellence recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions in their field. Honourees are also committed to fostering thriving communities. Over her career, Dr. McNair has worked tirelessly to transform care and services for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence in London and across the province.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Dr. McNair’s commitment to care and advocacy have been instrumental to the development and implementation of the RSADVTP in 1991, and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, which currently consists of 37 hospital-based clinics in Ontario.
DIVE DEEPER: Dr. McNair’s honour through the YMCA Women of Excellence is not her only achievement last year – she also received the Board Award from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Read more about that recognition and her extraordinary career.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The YMCA Women of Excellence recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions in their field. Honourees are also committed to fostering thriving communities. Over her career, Dr. McNair has worked tirelessly to transform care and services for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence in London and across the province.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Dr. McNair’s commitment to care and advocacy have been instrumental to the development and implementation of the RSADVTP in 1991, and the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, which currently consists of 37 hospital-based clinics in Ontario.
DIVE DEEPER: Dr. McNair’s honour through the YMCA Women of Excellence is not her only achievement last year – she also received the Board Award from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Read more about that recognition and her extraordinary career.
Our stats
0
Employees
0
Professional staff
0
Number of beds
0
Clinical trials
0
Volunteers
0
Square footage