Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care has released its 2024-25 Annual Report, symbolically themed around the life and transformation of a garden to reflect the past year’s progress in nurturing mental wellness and planting the seeds of long-term, systemic improvement.
The cover image of a young plant, the centre spread of a skilled gardener’s hands working the soil, and the vibrant flower on the back page reinforce a report that captures the essence of Waypoint’s vision: to change lives by leading the advancement and delivery of compassionate care.
“This year has been marked by extraordinary dedication and hard work — both within our hospital and across the broader health care system — as we continue to strengthen mental health, addiction and geriatric care,” said Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, President and CEO. “I feel deeply inspired by our shared commitment to changing lives by leading the advancement and delivery of compassionate care.”
ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Expanded services: The launch of Ontario’s first At Home program and the region’s first repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) service marked major advances in treating complex mental health needs.
- New capacity: Plans are underway to open 20 new in-patient beds and the first psychiatric intensive care unit in the region.
- Growing geriatric services: With new funding, Waypoint expanded its geriatric footprint, advancing early detection and prevention of dementia, delirium and falls.
- New healing spaces: The hospital moved forward with its master plan, a critical step toward modernized facilities that reflect a commitment to dignity, safety and healing.
The document was officially released at the Annual Report to the Community, an informative and celebratory event attended by staff, supporters, dignitaries and community members. They were among the first to learn about the launch of Waypoint’s 10-year strategy, which charts a course to becoming an internationally recognized centre of excellence by 2035.
“We’ve outlined a way forward that is bold and, at the same time, pragmatic,” said Dr. Sunderji. “Our new strategy honours our partnerships, recognizes the strength of our own people who will help bring this strategy to life over the next decade, delineates a focused direction for a research enterprise, and, most fundamentally, puts serving our patients front and centre.”
The afternoon also included a panel presentation on the Behaviour Success Agent (BSA) program, which trains hospital staff across the region to support people under their care with dementia and/or behavioural challenges. BSAs have improved care and reduced barriers that prevented these patients from being discharged from hospital. Dr. Sunderji moderated the discussion with Waypoint’s Annalee King, Dr. Katie Bingham and Cindy Kosynski, plus Crystal Handy from Georgian Bay General Hospital.
Prior to the Annual Report to the Community, Waypoint celebrated a significant moment with the official unveiling of a new donor wall. It displays the hospital’s most dedicated donors, annual supporters, event sponsors and community partners, as well as moments from past fundraising events and a look at what’s coming next.
“Today marks an exciting milestone in Waypoint’s journey,” said Steve Parry in his first official remarks as Waypoint’s new Board Chair. “This is a powerful tribute to more than a decade of generous community support and fundraising success.”