Ontario Shores and University of Toronto Partner to Advance Mental Health
Care

WHITBY, ON, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - A new academic affiliation with the University of Toronto brings exciting opportunities for research, teaching and education to Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores).

In front of an audience filled with stakeholders, community partners, patients, students and staff, Glenna Raymond , President and CEO announced its newest academic community affiliation with the University of Toronto .

"This is an exciting day for Ontario Shores," says Raymond. "The University of Toronto is well known across the country and around the world for its academic reputation, contributions to published academic research and unlimited learning opportunities. We are proud of this partnership and pursuing our role as an academic health science centre."

"The University of Toronto is pleased to welcome Ontario Shores to our network of community affiliated hospitals," says Catharine Whiteside , Dean of Medicine and Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions at the University of Toronto . "We attract the best students because we provide a variety of unique learning environments, and Ontario Shores offers a wonderful, quality educational opportunity for our learners."

Ontario Shores is currently associated with various colleges and universities to teach future professionals in nursing, psychology, social work and other allied health professions. In addition, Ontario Shores has facilitated placements and practicum for University of Toronto students studying nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work and dentistry.

"This is the first time Ontario Shores has a formal affiliation with a medical school," says Dr. Peter Prendergast , Physician-in-Chief. "With this affiliation, Ontario Shores will now engage in training future psychiatrists. As a teaching hospital, we will also have more opportunities for research, education and new advances in the treatment of mental illness."

Currently, Ontario Shores has 18 psychiatrists who have academic appointments at the University of Toronto . With this affiliation, Ontario Shores will expand its number of academic appointments, set up new residency programs and placements to enhance the student learning experience and promote knowledge translation.

Raymond says Ontario Shores is pleased to welcome the University of Toronto to its list of other academic associations. "It is through these partnerships that we can embrace innovation and discovery and work together to make mental health care even better."

About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a spectrum of specialized assessment and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system.

About the University of Toronto:

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto has one of the strongest research and teaching faculties in North America , presenting top students at all levels with an intellectual environment unmatched in depth and breadth on any other Canadian campus. With more than 75,000 students across three campuses (St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough) and over 450,000 alumni active in every region of the world, U of T's influence is felt in every area of human endeavour.

U of T boasts the highest proportion of prize-winning professors in the country, the largest number of undergraduates entering with high-school averages over 95%, more than 1,000 clubs and co-curricular activities, the largest graduate enrolment (with more than 70 PhD programs), 44 intercollegiate sports teams, one of the largest intramural sports programs in Canada , the country's biggest and best library system (ranked third in North America ), and a vibrant student exchange program spanning 40 countries. www.utoronto.ca

For further information: Susan Nakhle, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, [phone] ext. 6068, Cell: [phone], [email protected]