Successes of 2022 help set the stage for an exciting year ahead for Waypoint
Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, President and CEO, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

At Waypoint we have already jumped head first into planning for what’s ahead in 2023, building on multiple accomplishments in 2022 and the work already underway to support healing and hope. While we have great things ahead, it’s also a time to reflect on where we’ve been and the important milestones our staff have achieved as they have worked so hard to make a difference in our patients’ lives. 2022 was a year of inspiring teamwork even as we continued to live and work through the pandemic. Here are some highlights to celebrate: 

• Continuing to support the acute mental health system by operating 34-40 acute mental health beds (relative to our usual 20 bed unit). With these extra beds consistently full, our staff have been working hard to plan for a new 20 bed unit in existing space in our Toanche building to provide a permanent home for this much needed support.
• Recognizing our Core Value Award nominees and recipients and Long Service Award recipients, and promoting regular appreciation for staff daily contributions through launching Thank You Thursdays.
• Saying farewell to president and CEO Carol Lambie with my tenure as Waypoint’s new president and CEO beginning in June.
• Welcoming other leaders into new roles including Dr. Kevin Young as VP Medical Affairs and Chief of Staff, Dr. Bernard Le Foll as VP Research and Academics and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Andrea Waddell as Medical Director Clinical Informatics and Quality Standards, Dr. Becky Van Iersel as Medical Director Integrated Care, and Dr. Ginette Poulin as Medical Director Concurrent Disorders.
• Launching of a major new module of our Electronic Health Record for outpatient settings in partnership with Ontario Shores and The Royal in Ottawa.
• Undertaking a second research study on staff engagement in partnership with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and action planning to support staff wellness.
• Launching of the Research and Scholarship Award Program by the Waypoint Research Institute, adding to opportunities for clinical and non-clinical staff to learn and grow within Waypoint.
• Embarking on new research initiatives with a focus on patient-orientated research including the Youth Resiliency Program, Trauma Among Psychiatric Workers, screen time and social-emotional competence in adolescence and the use of restraint and seclusion and the experiences and needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) patients.
• Successful fundraising events including the Volunteer Association 50/50 Draw launch, Get Your Mental Health in Motion, the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop and A Night to Shine the Light Gala to support purchasing essential hospital equipment, expanding access to care, and conducting leading-edge research to better understand and treat mental illness and addiction, and ultimately save lives.
• Working together to design a model of care that involves patients and families, leverages the strengths and interconnectedness of our teams, ensuring clear roles and accountability and all staff working to full scope of practice.
• Expanding ECT service from 3 to 5 days a week, helping more patients access this vital treatment.
• Receiving the Certificate of Merit from Excellence Canada recognizing Waypoint’s many years of commitment to workplace mental health and wellness.
• Engaging with groups across Waypoint and our partners in the development of five Enabling Plans that will tactically and tangibly advance our Strategic Plan goals of Serve, Discover and Lead.

As we move forward into 2023, we will continue to celebrate these and our many other successes.  There will be new opportunities to work with our partners and involve our staff, patients and families in how we shape the future. I share my gratitude to the growing Waypoint family of staff, volunteers, donors and partners as we look forward to continuing our journey together.