Vibrant has recognized the growing complexities and demands in healthcare, particularly for smaller organizations, such as Vibrant, that face unique operational and financial challenges. By integrating our services with those of another organization, we aim to streamline administrative functions, optimize resources, and strengthen our ability to provide high-quality, coordinated care. Recent examples of successful healthcare integrations have demonstrated the benefits of unified efforts, including improved access to service, smoother patient care pathways and efficient resource management. By combining the strengths of Vibrant and Sunnybrook, we aim to provide a more seamless, coordinated care experience for patients.

Vibrant’s Board of Directors invited five organizations to apply to be Vibrant’s potential integration partner. The process included an expression of interest and an interview. Sunnybrook was selected by Vibrant as the potential integration partner of choice, based on the criteria outlined by Vibrant’s management and board. Sunnybrook and Vibrant have a successful history or working together even before the integration discussions, as both are health service providers supporting community needs of North Toronto. Both Sunnybrook and Vibrant are anchor partners of the North Toronto Ontario Health Team. We strongly believe that an integration between Vibrant and Sunnybrook presents a unique, client-centred opportunity to both expand and enhance existing programs for Vibrant’s clients and families. Sunnybrook will also bring more sophisticated systems, processes, and management resources to Vibrant, to address the anticipated funding constraints and increased demand for services.

Vibrant will continue to operate as a separate organization and current client services and service levels are expected to remain the same for the foreseeable future. Front-line staff will continue to be Vibrant employees and Vibrant’s collective agreement obligations and relationships for unionized staff will remain in place. Vibrant recently completed a strategic planning exercise where we heard from Vibrant staff, clients and stakeholders. The strategic goals we identified through this exercise will continue to be prioritized through the integration with Sunnybrook. While we are still working through the details of this integration, Vibrant staff and clients will receive updates throughout the coming weeks and months in a variety of ways (i.e. through email and updates on our, website).

Vibrant’s current client services and service levels are expected to remain the same for the foreseeable future. Vibrant has unique experience and expertise serving individuals, families and communities with complex needs who experience barriers to accessing care. The integration of Vibrant and Sunnybrook offers a unique opportunity to further build our existing areas of partnership to enhance client services by creating a more seamless care journey. Sunnybrook’s expertise in acute, post-acute, and community care will provide Vibrant clients with improved connections to a comprehensive range of supports. 

We are planning engagement sessions with staff, clients, community members and other key groups as part of the community consultation process. We are committed to promoting transparency and open communication, and engaging everyone in this process. As a local community health centre, Vibrant is an integral part of our community fabric, and it is important to have a robust engagement process. Mechanisms to engage key stakeholders include:

• Client forums (hybrid)

• Community session (online). Click here to register for the Session.

• Phone-in option for providing feedback. Leave a voicemail at (416)486-8666 ext. 340

• Website

• Online survey

• Email or mailed letters to all clients

• Flyers provided on-site at all locations (Yonge, Coxwell, Carlton, and Jarvis sites)

• Social media

• Vibrant Community Council engagement

• Vibrant Member info session and engagement

• Webinar for health partners (online)

• Staff Engagement Forums

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is an internationally recognized leader in research and education and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Sunnybrook has continually evolved to meet the needs of the communities it has served over its 75 year history. In recent decades, Sunnybrook has refined its community focus with demonstrated successes, with deep engagement with partners across the continuum of care. Sunnybrook has embraced its dual mandate to be an academic health sciences centre and a strong community hospital, and is committed to breaking down silos, working with and through community partners. Sunnybrook is also a member of the North Toronto Ontario Health Team, working closely with other partners and community members with a collective goal of improving access and coordination of care for the community served.

Sunnybrook’s approach to retaining the culture of Vibrant is rooted in our shared mission as healthcare organizations supporting universal access to care and serving clients with complex needs in our community. Sunnybrook will actively engage with Vibrant’s management team to collaboratively develop an integration communication and engagement plan that reflects both the operational and cultural needs of the Vibrant community. The integration will also be guided by the voices of Vibrant’s clients and families. Sunnybrook is ready to learn from Vibrant’s experiences, building on its robust engagement culture through advisory councils, committees, working groups and special projects. Sunnybrook and Vibrant have distinct cultures, and we are committed to respecting and preserving the positive aspects of each.