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We are excited to share our 2025/2026 Annual Report highlighting how our new strategic plan is making a difference to the people we serve based on our three priorities: Excellence in Care: Powered by Discovery, A Vibrant Workforce and Partnering for Impact.
From Vision to Action
This past year marked an important milestone for St. Joseph’s as we launched our new strategic plan – an ambitious vision rooted in our refreshed Mission, Vision and Values. As we reflect on this first year, we are proud to share how that vision is already taking shape across our organization.
Our 2025-2030 strategic plan is grounded in three key priorities that begin with a clear vision and over time, when nurtured and supported, turns into action. Inspired by the image of our mustard seed in our logo which signifies a tiny seed that once planted, grows into a large tree – this year’s theme of From Vision to Action captures how ideas have taken root and are beginning to flourish across programs, services and teams.
We have seen progress under each of our three strategic priorities:
- Excellence in Care: Powered by Discovery
- A Vibrant Workforce
- Partnering for Impact
They reflect lived experiences and the care we provide, strengthening the organization through partnerships and supporting the people who make it possible.
This report brings those priorities to life through stories and data that demonstrate the real impact of our work. From launching an innovative program to address gaps in care, advancing research to help shape the future of health care, and investing in our people and culture – each example highlights how our strategy is working to help the community and people we serve.
We are particularly proud of how our teams across the organization have embraced this shared purpose and direction. And while we have made significant progress in year one, we will remain focused on navigating upcoming challenges in the health care system which are complex and evolving. By continuing to work together, our patients, residents, staff, physicians, volunteers, learners, partners and community – are better off today than yesterday and will continue to drive greater impact in the years ahead.
Roy Butler, PhD, President and CEO
and
Donna Ladouceur, Chair, Board of Directors
Treasurer's Report
St. Joseph’s completed the 2025/26 fiscal year amid ongoing financial pressures affecting hospitals across Ontario. Demand for hospital services continued to grow, while costs increased across all areas of operation. While Ministry funding has remained stable, it has not kept pace with inflationary pressures, population growth and other cost drivers, resulting in ongoing funding challenges across the hospital sector.
Despite these challenges, St. Joseph’s focus remained on delivering care aligned with its mission and values and achieved all volume targets established with Ontario Health, including 336,000 patient and resident days, 23,600 surgeries, 51,100 urgent care visits and 848,000 outpatient and outreach visits.
St. Joseph’s investment portfolio performed strongly during the year and provided important financial support. However, it was not sufficient to fully offset the gap between revenues and expenses. As a result, the organization is reporting an accounting deficit of $4.7 million for the fiscal year.
Looking ahead, financial pressures across the health care system are expected to continue and represent a risk to St. Joseph’s long-term financial stability and its ability to maintain current service levels over time. While the organization will continue to focus on operational improvements and careful financial management, these pressures cannot be fully addressed through efficiencies alone. Lasting solutions will require sustainable hospital funding and system‑level solutions. St. Joseph’s will continue working closely with the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, and health system partners to address these challenges.
Josh Melchers,
Treasurer, St. Joseph's Health Care London Board of Directors
Excellence in Care: Powered by Discovery
Trauma Informed Care Program Supports More Than 230 Patients in its First Six Months
Recognizing a critical gap in access to primary care for survivors of violence and trauma, Dr. Susan McNair, Medical Director of the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program at St. Joseph’s and clinical manager Cassandra Fisher decided to do something about it. Together, they launched Canada’s first Trauma and Violence Specialized Primary Care Program to support individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of trauma. Patients are referred through several outpatient programs at St. Joseph’s and LHSC’s emergency departments.
Since seeing its first patient on Oct. 6, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the program has supported more than 230 patients on their journey to recovery, feeling a greater sense of safety, connection and ability to function. The program is a radically compassionate alternative to traditional primary care, recognizing that trauma is not just a background condition – but a central determinant of health.
Poop Pill Benefits May Extend to Enhancing Treatment for Various Types of Cancers
Poop pills or fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) capsules developed at Lawson Research Institute, the research arm at St. Joseph’s, may offer benefits beyond their original intended purpose. Designed to restore healthy gut bacteria by transferring stool from a donor to a recipient, the capsules have been used to improve digestive conditions such as C. difficile.
Clinical trials now suggest the pills may also benefit patients undergoing certain cancer treatments – particularly by reducing severe side-effects associated with those treatments. By minimizing the side-effects, patients may better tolerate their cancer treatment and potentially improve outcomes. Current cancer studies using FMT include melanoma, lung, renal, pancreatic and breast cancer. Research has shown that FMT not only reduces toxicity from cancer treatment but also improves the patient’s response to cancer therapies.
Like blood donations, fecal donations can save lives and the FMT program requires healthy stool donors for treatment and research. For information on how to donate, visit A unique way to give back | St. Joseph's Health Care London, contact Liesl DeSilva at @email or call 519-646-6100 ext. 65739.
St. Joseph’s Lawson Turns Fermented Food Research into Action
Lawson Research Institute, the research arm at St. Joseph’s is leading the groundbreaking effort to unlock the health benefits of fermented food through the launch of the Canadian Fermented Foods Initiative (CFFI) – a first of its kind resource in North America. The initiative brings together researchers, clinicians, consumers and industry leaders to advance the science around the benefits of ‘ferment-ceuticals’ and gut health.
Led by microbiologist Jeremy Burton, Chair in Human Microbiome and Probiotics at Lawson, Burton is looking into why people who eat fermented foods are generally healthier – their blood pressure and cholesterol are lower, they have fewer digestive issues and appear to be at lower risk of chronic diseases. CFFI is funded by the Weston Family Foundation, flowing through St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. Since launching the initiative in Nov. 2025, the website alone has had 25,000 visitors, 10,000 active users with a global reach into at least ten countries.
A Vibrant Workforce
Advancing Leadership Excellence Through Learning
Designed to strengthen leadership grounded in St. Joseph’s mission, vision and values, the Mission Leadership Program gives leaders, physician leaders and board members the understanding, reflection and skills to lead with purpose and advance the organization’s mission. Paused during the pandemic and due to leader turnover in the past five years, only 20 per cent of leaders had participated in the two-day course. Following a relaunch in 2025, more than 85 per cent of current operational leaders have now completed the program.
At the same time, St. Joseph’s medical leadership team partnered with the Canadian Medical Association’s Physician Leadership Institute and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP to launch a customized Medical Leadership Development Series. Thirty medical leaders participated, focusing on key areas such as conflict and engagement management, strategic planning and change management. The program also strengthened understanding of legislation related to physicians and their roles and responsibilities as physician leaders.
Strengthening Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) Through Education
St. Joseph’s is advancing our mission by deepening organizational understanding of inclusivity, unconscious bias, anti-racism, microaggressions and the historical roots of racism in Canada. In partnership with Western University, new learning modules were launched to all leaders and staff and participation exceeded expectations.
More than half of leaders across the organization received the full EDIB e-certificate by completing all of the learning modules. Staff engagement is also building with more than a third completing all modules within the first few months of launch. The strong engagement demonstrates a solid foundation for continued learning and a growing commitment to advancing EDIB work across the organization. St. Joseph’s has also established a new EDIB Advisory Council to help cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Linked by Gratitude - One Link at a Time
A well-being team initiative designed to highlight gratitude took root and grew beyond the team’s expectations. To mark Kindness Day and the International Day of Happiness in March, teams across the organization were asked to jot down on a piece of colourful paper something they are grateful for. The gratitude messages poured in and grew into a paper chain of more than 2,500 messages from staff, physicians and volunteers expressing thanks to their family, friends, health, work colleagues and their home.
The chain was displayed in entrances across St. Joseph’s and the impact extended beyond staff as patients and families were seen reading the messages. The vibrant display became more than an activity – it became a shared experience that connected staff across the organization.
Partnering for Impact
Partners in Motion
Expanding access to specialized adapted fitness programming for people living with a disability - once available only at the Parkwood Fitness Centre - was the vision driving a new partnership between St. Joseph’s and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario. Together, they removed barriers to fitness and created more opportunities in the community for people living with mobility challenges to stay active, connected and independent. The program called Partners in Motion: A Parkwood/YMCA partnership for supported active living, is designed to help patients in rehabilitation at Parkwood Institute continue their fitness journey after leaving the hospital, while also introducing adapted fitness programming to individuals who may be accessing these services for the first time. Participants meet twice a week with support from YMCA staff, building strength, friendships and camaraderie along the way.
And the need is clear. The Parkwood Fitness Centre has 60 active members and a growing wait list. Since the expanded YMCA program launched in Sept. 2025, 20 individuals have already participated – a sign of community impact and growing interest in the adapted fitness program beyond the hospital setting.
Celebrating 10-year Milestone Partnership with St. Leonard’s
Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care and St. Leonard’s Society marked a decade-long partnership that has supported patients through their rehabilitation journey from hospital to community living. The transitions are often complex and require intensive, highly individualized support, along with significant time and patience. Once a patient is eligible, St. Leonard’s offers two programs with varying levels of support and independence through the C.K Clarke Centre in London or the Forensic Supervised Housing Program.
The partnership is essential in helping individuals find stability and belonging – outcomes that reflect not just clinical success but patient-centred success. Each transition represents an intensive investment in care, involving far more than housing. It means rebuilding routines, relationships and ways of thinking to create meaningful, lasting change. The longevity of this partnership is a testament to the shared values of both organizations in providing compassionate care to those who need it most.
Supporting the Homeless Population Through Partnerships
St. Joseph’s recognizes that no single organization can address the complex issue of homelessness alone. And through strong partnerships, we are turning vision into action for this vulnerable population by building stronger communities for a healthier world.
In collaboration with the Homes For Heroes Foundation, construction is underway on the London Veterans Village located behind Parkwood Institute. Once open this fall, it will feature 25 tiny homes with wraparound supports for veterans experiencing homelessness, building on St. Joseph’s legacy of supporting veterans while helping them regain independence and stability.
Through our role in the Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response, St. Joseph’s has also partnered with Indwell on the Coves Landing highly supportive housing project. This initiative will help patients in the Mental Health Care Program who experience both a developmental disability, as well as mental health needs transition from hospital to permanent housing with ongoing supports.
What Connects Us
Every day at St. Joseph’s, thousands of patient and resident stories unfold of healing, resilience and connection, which is the foundation of our three priorities. In 2025, St. Joseph’s also launched our refreshed mission, vision and values to better reflect our purpose and North Star.
This video highlights that while each patient and resident’s journey is unique, what connects us isn’t always visible - but it is always present.