The Winter 2026 edition of the Bowmanville Hospital Redevelopment Community Newsletter is here! ❄️ Get the latest updates on key milestones, progress, and the work underway to build a stronger, healthier future for care in Durham Region. Read the full newsletter here: bit.ly/3Oq4UIC

Myth or Fact: Once you’re admitted, you have to stay in a hospital gown the whole time… think again. 😏👕 Join Terri Baumgartner, Registered Nurse in the Healthy Aging Program, as she shares how the #EndPJParalysis movement helps patients get up, get dressed, and get moving.

At our long-term care home, Lakeridge Gardens, Jeanette Dindial is more than a leader – she’s a familiar, caring presence for residents who call it home and the loved ones who visit. 💙 Get to know Jeanette, one of the 9,000+ team members who make up Lakeridge Health.

Healthy Aging means staying strong, staying connected, and feeling supported every step of the way. 💛 This week, you’ll see what that support looks like. #HealthyAging #ActiveAging #SeniorHealth #LongTermCare #LTC #ThisisLakeridgeHealth #DurhamRegion #OntarioLTC #OntarioHealth

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re highlighting Lakeridge Health staff and physicians who embody #BlackBrilliance through their care, leadership, and impact. Their contributions strengthen our health system and the communities we serve. 👇 Meet the team members we’re celebrating.

✨ Want a summer goes beyond the usual routine? ✨ Lakeridge Health’s 2026 Summer Student Volunteer Program is open for students 16+! Gain experience, build confidence & earn hours. Apply by Feb 13: bit.ly/4qj5aGv 💙 #LakeridgeHealth #HighSchoolVolunteers #PostSecondaryVolunteers

A great science career doesn’t start with having all the answers – it starts with being brave enough to ask the question. 🔬Today, on #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience, we’re celebrating the women & girls who keep discovery moving forward.

140+ active studies, 21.7% growth in research, a first investigator-led Health Canada–regulated clinical trial. This is what’s possible when community hospitals invest courageously in research. Read more: bit.ly/4rKX2Qn

🗓️ Mark your calendars! Pathways to Care is returning this spring for Grades 10 and 11 students. Registration opens Friday, February 27 at 7:30 a.m. Space is limited and fills up quickly! For more information, please email [email protected].

A stroke can happen to anyone, at any time – and knowing the signs can save a life. Our Integrated Stroke Unit team at Lakeridge Health shares the FAST acronym to help you recognize a stroke and act quickly. #ThisIsLakeridgeHealth #StrokeAwareness #FAST #KnowTheSigns #ActFAST

Women’s Health Symposium is back! 🎉 After a sold-out debut, join Lakeridge Health on Mar 9, 2026 for a free evening of inspiring speakers, community connections, food, prizes & giveaways. Thanks to sponsor Suncity Development Limited. Spots limited: bit.ly/4ccVslz

This #WorldCancerDay, we’re proud to highlight cancer care that puts people first. When care is built around people, communities, and culture, it changes lives.

Ready to help shape a healthier future for Durham Region? Lakeridge Health is recruiting volunteer Board of Trustees members to help guide strategic decisions & advance equitable, accessible care. Apply bit.ly/4qIwJKt #BoardRecruitment #DurhamRegion #OneSystemBestHealth

Care that puts people first – right at home. 🏡💙 We’re proud to share that Lakeridge Health has received national recognition for improving care for people with serious illness. 🏆

We begin #BlackHistoryMonth2026, marking 30 Years of Black History Month in Canada. We honour Black brilliance across generations and reaffirm our commitment to equitable, culturally responsive care – today and always. #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackBrilliance #HealthEquity

Lakeridge Health is pleased to recognize the dates of significance being observed this month. We wish everyone who is observing or celebrating a meaningful and fulfilling month. #DatesOfSignificance #InclusionMatters #Belonging #CommunityCare #LakeridgeHealth

Get to know the people behind our leadership team 👋 This week, we’re kicking off a new leadership spotlight series with President and CEO, Cynthia Davis. From fun facts to the best advice she’s ever received, Cynthia shares a more personal side and a glimpse into her journey: bit.ly/3NOzhIt

Inspiration looks different for everyone. For members of the Durham Mental Health Services team at Lakeridge Health, it’s rooted in helping others, supporting the community, and being part of care that makes a difference in people’s lives. Hear from the people behind the care: bit.ly/3M5ASZH

Save the Date! The Women’s Health Symposium is back for year two – and you won’t want to miss it! Join us for an inspiring evening featuring speakers, networking, and a vendor market designed to educate, connect, and empower students and professionals across #DurhamRegion.

Frontline teams at Lakeridge Health are improving how we care for older adults by bringing the Delirium, Dementia, Depression (DDD) Best Practice Guideline into everyday care, guided by our work as a @rnao.ca Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO).

💚 Volunteer Spotlight: Krista 💚 At Distress Centre Durham (DCD), volunteers are often the steady, compassionate presence someone needs in a difficult moment – offering immediate emotional support to people across Durham Region, seven days a week.

#DYK 70% of mental health challenges begin in childhood or adolescence? Dr. Kevin Chopra, Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director, Mental Health and Addictions Program, shares practical guidance for parents on supporting their child’s mental health: bit.ly/3NFDttX

Ready to influence the future of health care in Durham Region? Lakeridge Health is now recruiting volunteer Board of Trustees members! We’re seeking skilled individuals with governance expertise, experience contributing to non-profit boards, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact.

This time of year can be difficult – with shorter days, colder weather, and less sunlight. Mack, a Registered Nurse with Lakeridge Health’s Mental Health and Addictions program, shares three small practical ways to support your wellbeing during the winter months.

This week, members of our senior leadership team joined business leaders from across #DurhamRegion for a fireside chat with The Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, hosted by the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, Clarington Board of Trade, Whitby Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.

For the first time ever, the @sccmcriticalcare.bsky.social Fundamental Critical Care Support Paediatrics course was delivered in Canada – right here at Lakeridge Health. Take a look at how we’re bringing paediatric critical care preparedness close to home: bit.ly/4rcgtkS #ThisisLakeridgeHealth

#LetsTalk about mental health support in Durham Region. 💙 Today, take a moment for your mental health – and remember, support is available in many ways. Visit our website for more information: lh.ca/mha #BellLetsTalk #DurhamRegion #MentalHealthMatters

At its core, This is Lakeridge Health is about storytelling – spotlighting the teams, patients, and partners bringing care to life across Durham Region. Read the feature in @onthospitalassn.bsky.social Health System News: bit.ly/3ZkS2p9 #ThisIsLakeridgeHealth #OneSystemBestHealth

When Ranelyn Manabat joined Lakeridge Health as a dietary aide, she expected to nourish patients with food. What she didn’t expect was how often she’d nourish their spirits, too. Read the full story of how a little sunshine can make all the difference: bit.ly/4qSsRpY

Good news you can use this flu season ❄️💛 From vaccines to everyday prevention tips, our Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Dr. Dan Ricciuto shares how we can help keep kids safer throughout the winter months. 📖 Read the full article: bit.ly/3NsGiOX

Behind every diagnosis is a dedicated team of professionals. Courtney, a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) at the Ajax Pickering Hospital, helps ensure every sample is handled with precision and care – supporting patients and care teams every step of the way.

One year after welcoming its first patient, Lakeridge Health’s PET-CT scanner continues to change what’s possible for cancer diagnosis and treatment in Durham Region. #ICYMI, read the full story of its first year of impact: bit.ly/49mRR2G

🥁 Drumroll, please… our new X-ray equipment is here at the Oshawa Hospital! Patients can now benefit from this incredible upgrade. With smart technology, we can capture sharper, clearer images with a lower radiation dose – making scans safer for everyone.

World-class laboratory innovation is happening in Durham Region. A landmark blood culture study led by Grant Johnson, Clinical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Lakeridge Health, earned international recognition for advancing patient care. Read here: bit.ly/3ZayAvc

Before a diagnosis is made or a treatment plan begins, our Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Medicine teams are already at work—providing the information that guides decisions and shapes what comes next. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y2X...

Being in the critical care unit with a loved one can feel overwhelming and emotional. Here are some helpful tips from Dr. Shannon Fernando, Critical Care Physician and Medical Director, Trauma:

Camille’s Corner Gift Shop thrives thanks to volunteers like Susan & Cathy – giving back, supporting patients, and building community. ✨ You can make an impact too! Volunteer with us: bit.ly/4r7zu8R

Ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes in the critical care unit? Tag along for morning rounds – led by attending physician, Dr. Cameron Landry – where the interdisciplinary team aligns and patient care is guided for the day ahead. www.youtube.com/shorts/Le2IC...

What if one decision could change dozens of lives? At Lakeridge Health, organ donation is driven by the expertise and leadership of our Critical Care and Surgical teams, who support families through complex, time-sensitive decisions and make life-saving outcomes possible.

The future of Lakeridge Health is being shaped right now. Dr. Dixon and Dr. Lenga share what they hope for the years ahead – and what it will take to get there. 🎙️ Watch the full episode for more reflections: bit.ly/48HxEEs

In critical care, every breath matters. 🩺 Across Ajax Pickering, Bowmanville, and Oshawa Hospitals, Respiratory Therapists provide life-sustaining care – from advanced airway management to complex ventilatory support – bringing calm, skill, and compassion when it matters most.

Critical Care is where expertise, teamwork, and compassion come together – 24/7.❤️‍🩹 Hear from Eric Leblanc and Dr. Karim Soliman as they share how teams care for our most critically ill patients. #CriticalCare #HealthcareHeroes #ThisIsLakeridgeHealth

We’re incredibly grateful to The Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa for their generous support of our youngest patients. Their donation funded two new infant incubators and an infant warmer – life-changing equipment for families during critical moments. #ThisisLakeridgeHealth

Lakeridge Health welcomed the first babies of the year across Durham Region, including Baby Rielly Patricia Thornton, born just after midnight at Oshawa Hospital. New Year’s babies were also welcomed at Ajax Pickering and Port Perry Hospitals. Read more about these special arrivals: bit.ly/4jispP4

The best care is close to home. In the first episode of Voices of Lakeridge Health, host Shara Santan asks Dr. Lenga and Dr. Dixon to reflect on why people may still be leaving Durham Region to get the care they need and deserve. ✨ Watch the full episode: bit.ly/48HxEEs

Myth or fact? When it comes to HIV and viral Hepatitis care, the truth matters. Watch as Infectious Disease Consultant Dr. Jeff Craig of the Positive Care Clinic at Lakeridge Health breaks down common misconceptions – and introduces a safe place for expert care and real support: bit.ly/4sBcLCT

Care from Lakeridge Health goes beyond the walls of our sites. Across Durham Region, our teams deliver care in hospitals, community sites, schools, alongside partner organizations, and more – showing up when and where people need support.

A blanket made of kindness, respect, and community.🧶 Residents at Lakeridge Gardens created a dignity blanket to honour fellow residents as they leave the home following passing – a final gesture of love from their community. Read the story: bit.ly/3NeHG7u

This or that: holiday edition ☃️ Spending time in the hospital over the holidays isn’t easy – but a little fun can go a long way! Are you team Elf or team Grinch? ⬇️ #ThisIsLakeridgeHealth #PaediatricCare #ThisorThat

Lakeridge Health today isn’t the same organization it was 20 years ago. Dr. Lenga and Dr. Dixon reflect on how what started as hole in the ground became the Durham Regional Cancer Centre – now one of the province’s leading cancer programs. ▶️ Catch the full episode: bit.ly/48HxEEs