For the second consecutive year, Toronto’s University Health Network (UHN) has been named the third-best hospital in the world by Newsweek. Not only that, UHN was the highest ranked publicly funded hospital globally. This is no small feat. The world is a big place, with thousands of hospitals delivering cutting-edge care. To see a Canadian institution standing shoulder to shoulder with the best is a moment of genuine pride, not just for Ontario but for the entire country.
Under the exceptional leadership of CEO Dr. Kevin Smith and an incredible team, UHN continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare. From robotic surgery breakthroughs to remote deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s patients, to the world’s first lung transplant using a drone-delivered organ, the hospital exemplifies cutting-edge research, clinical excellence, and innovative thinking. But while this recognition is a testament to UHN’s world-class capabilities, it is also emblematic of something broader: Ontario’s entire hospital system is a model of efficiency, innovation, and leadership we should all be proud of.
While UHN’s achievements are extraordinary, they do not stand alone. Ontario’s hospitals—large and small, urban and rural, consistently rank among the most efficient and innovative in the world.
As Anthony Dale, CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), would frequently point out, Ontario hospitals have been global leaders in efficiency, operating with one of the lowest per-capita hospital funding levels in the developed world while still delivering outstanding patient outcomes.
This recognition is not a fluke. It is the result of dedicated healthcare professionals, strong leadership, and an ingrained culture of innovation and adaptability.
Here are just a few examples of Ontario hospitals leading the way:
• North York General Hospital – A leader in patient safety and digital transformation, NYGH’s eCare project implemented barcode scanning for medication administration, reducing errors and streamlining care.
• Scarborough Health Network (SHN) – One of the most culturally diverse hospital networks in Canada, SHN has built tailored healthcare solutions for its multicultural communities, making it a national leader in health equity and inclusion.
• Trillium Health Partners (THP) – Partnered with Signal 1 to integrate AI technology into patient care, improving efficiency and outcomes while setting the standard for AI-driven healthcare transformation.
• Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) – A recognized leader in leadership development, HHS runs programs that train the next generation of hospital administrators and healthcare executives, ensuring long-term institutional excellence.
• Belleville General Hospital (QHC) – Under Stacey Daub’s leadership, QHC has focused on community engagement and healthcare innovation, ensuring that rural and regional care remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery.
These hospitals, alongside many others across the province, demonstrate the strength of Ontario’s healthcare system as a whole.
While the University Health Network (UHN) exemplifies the exceptional quality of Ontario’s healthcare institutions, it’s important to recognize that Canada’s commitment to medical excellence extends across the nation. In Alberta, groundbreaking advancements such as the development of MRI-compatible robotic neurosurgery systems have revolutionized surgical precision. Additionally, the Edmonton Protocol for islet transplantation has significantly improved the quality of life for individuals with hard-to-control diabetes. In Manitoba, St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg is home to the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, conducting leading-edge research at the cellular and molecular levels. Meanwhile, Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia houses the world’s largest facility dedicated to spinal cord injury research and patient care. These institutions, alongside Ontario’s esteemed hospitals, collectively showcase Canada’s robust healthcare system, reflecting a nationwide dedication to medical innovation and patient care that spans coast to coast to coast.
In reflecting on UHN’s latest recognition, Delphic Research’s Strategic Advisor, George Smitherman, former Ontario Minister of Health, shared this:
“Working with Ontario’s hospitals, their leaders, and frontline staff was an absolute privilege. Every day, I saw firsthand their dedication, and I couldn’t have been prouder of the care they provide.”
It is easy to focus on the challenges in our healthcare system—because there are many. Wait times, staffing shortages, and funding pressures remain serious concerns. And we must always remain vigilant in pushing for improvements.
But today is also a moment to recognize that, despite these pressures, Ontario’s hospitals continue to set the global standard for excellence. The fact that a publicly funded healthcare system can produce institutions ranked among the top three in the world—and that this is not an isolated success story but part of a broader trend of excellence—deserves recognition, respect, and pride.
Ontario’s hospitals are not just surviving—they are leading the world. And that is something worth celebrating.
