Stay informed and connected with us! Committed to supporting patients, families, caregivers, and health partners, we provide the latest insights, resources, and community highlights.
Together, we’ll build a healthier community.
Connecting residents to care at Barrie Public Library
On Saturday, April 25, the Barrie and Area OHT hosted a community table at the Barrie Public Library’s downtown branch, engaging more than 60 residents in conversations about accessing care and navigating local services. Through on-site support, the team facilitated more than 15 Health Care Connect registrations while sharing resources and promoting upcoming BAOHT initiatives.
Thank you to the Lived Experience Partner Council volunteers who played a key role in connecting with community members, helping ensure interactions were welcoming, informative and grounded in real patient and caregiver perspectives.
Pictured: Caleb Hooper, Communications Coordinator and Melissa Griffith, Lived Experience Partner, at the Barrie Public Library in downtown Barrie.
Supporting evacuees from Moose Cree First Nation
ISN Maskwa staff and first responders (Courtesy of ISN Maskwa)
The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team recognizes the recent arrival of residents from Moose Cree First Nation who have been evacuated to Barrie due to ongoing floods. Local partners and service providers have come together to support evacuees with access to housing, health care and essential services, reflecting a coordinated response across the region. This situation highlights the importance of culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care and strong system navigation to ensure individuals and families receive the support they need during times of displacement. As part of a broader, community-wide effort, the BAOHT acknowledges the work of health partners in welcoming evacuees, reinforcing a collaborative approach to care for some of the most vulnerable populations.
Barrie People Pharmacy & South Barrie Clinic - now open!
Barrie People Pharmacy & South Barrie Clinic physicians, pharmacists and staff alongside BAOHT partners and Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall
The BAOHT was excited to celebrate the grand opening of Barrie People Pharmacy & South Barrie Clinic on Saturday, April 25. This clinic is already making a strong impact by attaching patients from the Health Care Connect list, particularly those with complex needs and helping to clear the list.
With a walk-in clinic and extended hours, the site also improves access to care for community members beyond regular clinic hours. Congratulations to the team on this important addition to local healthcare services!
Strengthening coordinated care through the HART Hub model
The Barrie and Area OHT was pleased to attend the recent HART Hub of Simcoe County showcase, where community leaders, health system partners and frontline providers came together to explore how the model is improving access to coordinated care for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use. Through interactive discussions and a guided walkthrough of the client journey, the event highlighted how the HART Hub connects people to a range of integrated services including primary care, addictions treatment, supportive housing and social supports, with a strong emphasis on person-centred, low-barrier access and culturally appropriate care.
As a key partner in this collaborative initiative, the BAOHT continues to support efforts that strengthen care pathways, enhance system navigation and improve outcomes for some of the region’s most vulnerable populations.
Pictured: BAOHT Operations Team members, Suzanne Kings and Rebecca Coyle in attendance at the HART Hub of Simcoe County showcase
Remembering Mike Culver, Lived Experience Partner
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Mike Culver, a valued member of the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team Lived Experience Partner Council, on April 3, 2026.Mike joined the council in early 2023 as one of its first members, bringing a thoughtful perspective shaped by his lived experience. From the outset, he helped ensure that discussions and decisions remained grounded in what matters most to the people and communities we serve.
Throughout his time with the BAOHT, Mike was a dedicated advocate for compassionate, person-centred care.
He consistently championed the importance of listening to patients and caregivers, and worked to ensure that individuals felt heard, supported and connected within the health system. His contributions reflected a strong commitment to respect, inclusion and meaningful engagement, helping to shape services that better respond to community needs.
“Mike had a unique way of making sure the human narrative was never lost in the data. He fought so hard to ensure that patients and caregivers were heard and understood with an Indigenous perspective, and his legacy of advocacy is woven into the very fabric of the work we do at the BAOHT.” — Melissa Griffith, co-chair of the BAOHT Lived Experience Partner Council.
Mike’s kindness, honesty and unwavering commitment to improving the system for others left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him. His voice and presence will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts are with his wife, Heather, and his family during this difficult time.
Service details will be shared with partners as they become available.
Integrated Clinical Priorities Planning Day Recap
The Integrated Clinical Priorities Working Group met on April 7 to plan for the chronic disease prevention and management deliverable in alignment with the chronic care model. This day brought together partners across many sectors to discuss what is currently happening for chronic disease prevention and management and potential optimizations we could work towards.
Recognizing the people behind the care
As we mark Doctors’ Day on May 1, Nurses Week from May 11 to 17 and National Volunteer Week from April 19 to 25, the Barrie and Area OHT extends sincere thanks to the partners who contribute their time, expertise and lived experience to strengthening care across our region.
To Physicians: Your leadership, clinical expertise and ongoing engagement across committees, working groups and primary care initiatives continue to shape a more connected and responsive system.
To Nurses: Your compassion, professionalism and influence across clinical care, planning and system improvement continue to elevate the quality and delivery of health care in our community.
To Lived Experience Partner Volunteers: Your voices ensure care remains grounded in the real needs of patients, families and caregivers, guiding more inclusive and person-centred approaches across the work.
Together, these contributions reflect the collaborative spirit of the BAOHT and play a critical role in advancing a health care system that is compassionate, coordinated and built around the community it serves.
eReferral Updates
With increasing updates related to eReferrals, the Barrie and Area OHT is introducing a dedicated section to keep partners informed on key developments, support regional adoption and highlight tools and resources that strengthen coordinated, digital pathways to care.
Advancing eReferrals across RVH clinics
As part of Ontario Health’s Digital Health eReferral initiative under the Local Delivery Group model, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre has begun implementing a standardized, digital approach to referrals across select clinics.
Effective March 31, 2026, eight RVH clinics are now receiving referrals via eFax using Ontario Health’s Standardized Referral Form. This milestone supports a broader provincial strategy to transition away from paper- and fax-based processes toward a secure digital solution that enhances patient safety, reduces administrative burden and improves care coordination.
Upcoming Community Events
Creating Connections - A BAOHT Partnership Collaborative Event @ Lion's Gate Banquet Hall
Collaborate with partners to identify challenges and explore solutions to improve care delivery across the region.
🗓️ Wednesday, May 6, 2026
⏱️ 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 Lion’s Gate Banquet Hall; 386 Blake St, Barrie
Register required, please visit baoht.ca/creatingconnections
Barrie Farmers’ Market - Wellness Fair @ Barrie City Hall
Engage with residents and provide health care navigation support and resources for unattached patients.
🗓️ Saturday, May 9, 2026
⏱️ 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
📍 Barrie City Hall; 70 Collier St, Barrie
Enabling Integrated Care - A Primary Care Network Event @ Barrie Country Club
An evening of learning, connection and community engagement for members of the BAOHT Primary Care Network.
🗓️ Wednesday, May 27, 2026
⏱️ 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
More details and registration available to PCN members through Basecamp.
Caregiver Connect @ Traditions Banquet Hall
Support caregivers through access to local resources, learning sessions and meaningful community connections.
Please help promote this to your networks. A digital copy of the poster is available here.
🗓️ Thursday, June 11, 2026
⏱️ 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
📍 Traditions Banquet Hall;
142 John St, Barrie
Registration required; email info@baoht.ca to register!
Barrie Farmers’ Market @ Barrie City Hall
Connect with community members and support access to care through resource sharing and Health Care Connect registration.
🗓️ Saturday, July 18, 2026
⏱️ 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
📍 Barrie City Hall; 70 Collier St, Barrie
Sharing on behalf of New Path
commUNITY Art Project Opening @ MacLaren Art Centre
Join the MacLaren Art Centre for an afternoon of art featuring the commUNITY exhibition in support of Children’s Mental Health Week.
Presented as part of the May opening reception, the commUNITY art project brings together families and youth to explore themes of community, hope, growth and wellness through creative expression, with the colour green serving as a unifying thread. The event includes light refreshments, opening remarks and opportunities to connect with artists and curators.
🗓️ Saturday, May 2, 2026
⏱️ 1 to 3 p.m.
📍 MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie
Register at: https://maclarenart.com/product/may-opening-reception-2026/
Sharing on behalf of CFS Counselling + Wellbeing
CFS Counselling + Wellbeing: Men & Meaning Summit
Barrie and Area OHT partners are invited to attend the CFS Counselling + Wellbeing’s upcoming Men & Meaning Summit, a one-day event focused on strengthening community responses to intimate partner violence (IPV).
While survivor safety remains central, this summit emphasizes the importance of meaningfully engaging men and advancing effective, accountable services that support behavior change.
What to expect
The day will feature expert speakers, a panel discussion, and facilitated conversations designed to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and enhance coordinated responses to IPV.
Event details
🗓️ May 13, 2026
⏱️ 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
📍 Sheba Shrine Club;
142 John St., Barrie
Lunch: Provided
Registration: Space is limited. Partners are encouraged to register early to secure their spot:
https://forms.office.com/r/Aif4hK8mG7
Sharing on behalf of Central East Stroke Network (CESN)
CESN Regional Forum - June 2, 2026
Join the Central East Stroke Network for a regional forum featuring guest presentations, network highlights and “Brag & Steal” sessions showcasing quality improvement work across the region.
🗓️ Tuesday, June 2, 2026
⏱️ 12 to 2 p.m.
📍 Virtual (MS Teams)
Presenters: Dr. Aleksandra Pikula and Dr. Michelle Nelson
Register and learn more: HERE
Sharing on behalf of Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County
IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s – Simcoe County
Support individuals and families affected by dementia by joining the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, a community event dedicated to raising awareness and funding for local programs and services.
Hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County, this annual walk brings the community together to ensure that no one living with dementia walks alone. Participants are encouraged to register, donate or form a team to show their support.
🗓️ Sunday, May 31, 2026
⏱️ 10:30 a.m.
📍 Springwater Provincial Park
Register and learn more: https://assc.akaraisin.com/ui/walk2026