Sault Ste. Marie has a multifaceted health care system that includes support personnel, equipment, diagnostics, support groups, and health organizations.
With the opening of new Sault Area Hospital in March 2011, the consolidation of hospital-based services has been realized. This alliance of services has enhanced core programs including critical care, oncology, emergency services, surgical, and rehabilitation.
The Sault Area Hospital is a 289-bed facility serving a total catchment population of approximately 120,000 across the Algoma District.
With radiation treatment service and a state-of-the-art linear accelerator, Sault Ste. Marie's hospital is the only city in Ontario and one of the first in Canada to be approved for a single radiation treatment unit. The Algoma District Cancer Program provides a comprehensive cancer care service. The hospital's radiation service is a satellite of the Regional Cancer Program in Sudbury. In a collaborative partnership model, they have an identical clinical information system and resources. One floor above the radiation program is the the chemotherapy suite, which includes a waiting room with a fireplace for patients and their families, a dedicated resource room with computers and research material, and a classroom where nurse educators, dieticians, and social workers can educate patients on chemotherapy.
The Diagnostic Imaging Department at the Sault Area Hospital compares with the best that Ontario has to offer. The list of diagnostic equipment includes a 64-slice CT scanner that recently has been upgraded to the latest technology; a large-bore CT scanner; a new 1.5-tesla MRI unit; digital mammography; a state-of-the-art interventional suite for angioplasties, stenting and biopsies; and a SPECT gamma camera for nuclear medicine.
The Health Sciences Library is professionally staffed and is a part of the Northern Ontario Virtual Library (NOVL) program. SAHViL, the Hospital's customized web portal, can be accessed via the SAH website.
There are also two satellite hospital sites - Matthews Memorial, an emergency and outpatient hospital on St. Joseph Island (30 minutes east) and Thessalon Hospital, a four-bed hospital in Thessalon (one hour east). An active and successful foundation, Sault Area Hospital Foundation fundraises on the Hospital's behalf.
SAH is also proud to have approximately 1900 dedicated employees, over 400 volunteers and approximately 125 physicians on staff.
Sault Area Hospital
The Group Health Centre is Ontario’s largest and longest-established, membership-based health organization. It is a consumer-sponsored, prepaid, not-for-profit health care organization and an independent, multi-specialty medical group.
The GHC is home to more than 60 multi-specialty physicians with a support staff of over 300. The Centre provides leading programs in multi-disciplinary patient care, screening, chronic disease management and research - all supported by a comprehensive Electronic Medical Record System. Physicians at the Group Helath Centre receive furnished office space while retaining hospital privileges. Remuneration, at this site, is comparable to a private practice and partnership is an option after just three years.
Group Health Centre
algoma district medical group (ADMG)
algoma west academy of medicine
The ADMG is a large, well-established, multi-specialty, independent medical group. It works in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie & District Group Health Association in operating the Group Health Centre.
ADMG
Physicians in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District are members of the Algoma West Academy of Medicine (AWAM). Some members are in private practice, some work at the Sault Area Hospital and others are under the Algoma District Medical Group (ADMG) at the Group Health Centre.
ALGOMA HEALTH UNIT
The Algoma Health Unit (AHU) is committed to supporting healthy communities by providing a continuum of quality health services throughout the Algoma District. The goals of this organization are to aid people in attaining an optimal level of physical, mental, emotional and social health; to reduce communicable diseases; and to protect the public from adverse health consequence of exposure to toxic substances and conditions in the home, public place or workplace.
Algoma Health Unit
COMCARE HEALTH SERVICES
Comcare provides services in nursing, physiotherapy, home support, social work, speech language pathology and occupational therapy. Comcare is a community-based resource which is able to formulate, initiate, execute and document the health care strategy that best suits their clients’ needs.
Comcare Health Services
ALGOMA COMMUNITY CARE ACCESS CENTRE
In Algoma, people of all ages, in homes, schools, long-term care facilities and places of work may access information, support and health care services from the Algoma Community Care Access Centre. The services we provide include: nursing, personal support, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech and language therapy, nutrition therapy and placement services. These services are based on needs and are provided on a visitation basis. The services are provided at no cost to the client, as the Access Centre is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Community Care Access Centre
CHILDREN'S REHABILITATION CENTRE - ALGOMA
The Centre is dedicated to working with families in aiding children and youth with special long-term physical, perceptual or communication disorders or diseases.
Children's Rehabilitation Centre - Algoma
northern ontario school of medicine (NOSM)
Opened in September 2005, the Northern Ontario Medical School is a joint venture of Laurentian University, Sudbury and Lakehead University, Thunder Bay. The main campuses are located in those cities with multiple teaching and research sties distributed across Northern Ontario.
In December of 2006, the school announced its support for the creation of a clinical research institute in Sault Ste Marie. This institute provides the infrastructure and a central gathering place for the network of research initiatives taking place all across Northern Ontario, thus contributing a vital component for any scientist doing research in this part of the province.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine