Strong Partnership between JBH and the BOHT Continues

Since the inception of the Burlington Ontario Health Team in 2019, Joseph Brant Hospital has been a foundational partner. The BOHT is able to advance its mandate with support from JBH in critical operational pieces as well as clinical initiatives and functions.  The BOHT has a vision “To co-create, with the community, a primary care-focused system of care connecting health and social services around patients, families, and caregivers” – the leadership and support from JBH is critical to achieving this goal.

 The leadership provided by JBH has been invaluable to the BOHT senior management and key multi-partner initiatives, such as the Integrated Mental Health Committee, and the Integrated Chronic Condition Committee.  JBH executive leadership has actively supported BOHT leadership tables over the last five years, including at the Digital Health and Performance Measurement, Funding and Compliance, Senior Management, and Steering Committees.

On January 15, 2024, the BOHT was incorporated as a not-for-profit entity, making it the second of 58 OHTs to reach this significant milestone. To achieve this goal, the BOHT brought together seven providers – including Joseph Brant Hospital – to create a new corporation that will be capable of advancing the BOHT mandate even further. The BOHT is thrilled to report that at the first meeting of the board on February 29, 2024, Eric Vandewall was elected as Chair of the inaugural Board of Directors. The role of Chair will be critical in guiding the BOHT through important next steps in our journey toward integrated care for the Burlington community.

 In addition to assistance provided by leadership, the importance of the support contributed by JBH through IT, Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement. These functions allow the BOHT to focus on its mandate of advancing care integration.

 The BOHT and JBH continue to work closely together to advance clinical initiatives. A major focus this year has been the development of new integrated care pathways for individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure. Future work will included the development of integrated care pathways for individuals with Diabetes and Stroke.

 There has been great work done through our Palliative & End of Life Integrated Care Committee, which is co-chaired by Kim Pearson, Executive Director of Carpenter Hospice and Dr. Arshad Hack, Chief of Family Medicine at JBH.  Members are committed to co-designing and implementing an Integrated Palliative Care Model for the Burlington community. Representatives from JBH at the Committee will continue to provide strategic and clinical leadership that ensures alignment with the shared vision and principles of facilitating care in community where possible, seamless care transitions, and an integrated model of care.