Since the early days of civilization, the first attempts at medical treatment began to take shape. Medicine evolved through various stages, from the Ancient World, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance to the Modern Era.
With the advancement of medicine, medical institutions started emerging in every country. In Ottawa, in addition to specialized hospitals and clinics, there are four main hospitals, each with its own unique history. Ottawa One provides a detailed account of their journey.
The Ottawa Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital consists of the General, Civic, and Riverside campuses. But what preceded the hospital’s establishment? In 1845, Élisabeth Bruyère purchased a building for a general hospital at the cost of $240. The institution was managed by the Reverend Élisabeth and the Grey Nuns.
The year 1847 was particularly challenging due to a typhoid epidemic that spread across Ottawa. As a result, the hospital expanded. Three years later, Bishop Guigues acquired a building to relocate the general hospital, allowing the nuns to provide care to more people.
Between 1862 and 1866, the hospital changed locations again, moving to Water and Sussex streets. During this period, the first surgical operation was performed at the facility.
In 1876, the hospital’s founder, Élisabeth Bruyère, passed away. In addition to founding the Sisters of Charity of Bytown, she also established the first bilingual school in Ontario.
Interns and Nurses
A significant milestone in the hospital’s history occurred in 1897 when the General Hospital began accepting interns. By 1902, it introduced its first class of nursing students from D’Youville School. Notably, in 1926, the school became affiliated with Ontario RNs, and in 1933, with the University of Ottawa. The General Hospital was the first institution affiliated with the University of Ottawa’s medical school.
In 1918, Ottawa was engulfed by another firestorm, this time an outbreak of the Spanish flu. In 1922, Grace Hospital was built on Wellington Street, and two years later, the Civic Hospital officially opened.
In 1967, the Riverside Hospital was established.
Early Achievements
In 1986, Noëlla Leclair became the first person in Canada to receive an artificial heart at the General Hospital. A year later, the hospital welcomed Canada’s first quintuplets.
In 1988, the first unrelated bone marrow transplant was performed at the facility.
By 1995, the hospital celebrated its 150th anniversary. In 1998, three hospitals merged, forming Ottawa’s leading medical institution, The Ottawa Hospital.
Notable Figures
In 1943, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was born at the Civic Hospital, making history as the first royal child born in North America. On May 11, 2002, she personally visited Ottawa to unveil a commemorative plaque in the maternity ward.
The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Founded in 1974, CHEO receives funding from the governments of Quebec, Nunavut, the City of Ottawa, and generous community donors. Each year, over 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, Northern Ontario, and Nunavut receive medical care at CHEO.
After its opening, CHEO introduced a pediatric neurosurgery program in 1975, followed by a dental clinic, burn center, sports injury clinic, and pulmonary function laboratory. In 1985, volunteers helped establish the Children’s Activity Centre. In 2009, CHEO launched a Healthy Living Centre focusing on obesity and diabetes care. In 2019, the hospital officially adopted the name “CHEO,” eliminating its previous acronym-based designation.
Queensway Carleton Hospital
Located in Ottawa’s west end, this hospital specializes in primary and secondary healthcare services. It was inaugurated in 1976 by Ontario Premier William Davis.
In 1986, the facility underwent its first expansion, adding 160 emergency care beds and increasing its range of services. The first phase of a major expansion concluded in 2000, followed by a second phase between 2003 and 2005. The third phase, spanning a decade, was completed in 2012, introducing 10 new operating rooms, expanded outpatient services, a new rehabilitation and physiotherapy center, and a 15-station dialysis unit.
The hospital covers 51 acres (20.6 hectares) and receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health, the QCH Foundation, and various community donations.
Montfort Hospital
Founded in 1953, Montfort Hospital focused on family medicine. Its establishment was championed by Montfort Fathers, the Francophone community of Vanier, leaders of the Canadian French Association, and the religious order of the Daughters of Wisdom. Their collective efforts quickly made the hospital the preferred choice for Francophones in the region. In 1992, Montfort signed an official agreement with the University of Ottawa for clinical teaching in French.
Since the mid-19th century, Ottawa had a bilingual hospital, but the Francophone community feared it would not receive adequate services in French. This led to mobilization efforts to establish a dedicated healthcare center in Ottawa’s east end.
Quality of Healthcare in Ottawa
Annual surveys among Ottawa residents consistently show that they regard their healthcare system as one of the best in the developed world. Residents trust the healthcare system and institutions, which meet all regulatory standards. Everyone has access to medical services within their community.
The hospitals mentioned above operate on key principles of safety, patient care standards, and quality service. Perhaps this is why Ottawa’s healthcare system enjoys high levels of satisfaction, with minimal complaints from residents.
