Message to the community
To the communities we serve,
A hospital’s story is never only about one year. It is shaped by the people and milestones that came before, the work happening in real time, and the progress being built for the future.
This year’s annual report is about LHSC’s history, what is happening today, and our continued work to improve how we operate as we make steady, deliberate progress towards becoming a stronger organization.
Past: Built on a legacy of great care, teaching, and research
In 2025, LHSC marked 150 years of great care, teaching, and research, an important milestone that reflects the foundation built by our teams and our community. We celebrated our milestone anniversary in several ways, including donating our archival collection to Western Libraries and hosting events that brought past and present team members together. Throughout the year, storytelling also played a central role, bringing LHSC’s history to life through exhibits, shared stories, and reflections.
Our legacy continues to shape who we are today: a hospital grounded in service, learning, discovery, and a responsibility to grow alongside the communities we serve.
Present: Advancing care for patients, families and care partners
Across LHSC, teams continue to deliver high-quality care, advance research, and support education every day. This year’s Annual Report highlights the people, innovation, and initiatives that are improving experiences, expanding knowledge, and strengthening how we deliver care across our region.
We are especially proud of the partnerships that are helping us advance more inclusive, equitable care. This includes the introduction of our Indigenous Healing and Cultural Practices Policy, created in collaboration with local Indigenous leaders, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to increase access to traditional healing practices and ceremonies. It also includes the Nurse Police Response Team, a partnership with London Police Service designed to provide timely, on-site care and connect individuals with appropriate support. These are just a few examples of the work happening across LHSC every day.
Progress: Strengthening LHSC through renewal
Our story today is also one of how we are addressing challenges and strengthening our hospital. While we continue to face a structural budget deficit, we are making progress in advancing our financial health, operations, leadership, governance, policies, and procedures.
As one of Canada’s largest academic hospitals, LHSC operates a health-care system with an annual budget exceeding $1.8 billion and serves patients from across Southwestern Ontario. While LHSC continues to face a structural operating deficit, the organization is making measurable progress. In 2025/26, LHSC improved its operating position by $40.7 million compared to the previous year. This improvement was driven by stronger financial controls, operational efficiencies, disciplined workforce planning, improved financial performance in funded clinical programs, and enhanced oversight of organizational spending and resources. We want to be clear that this does not mean our deficit is resolved. LHSC continues to face a structural operating deficit, but the organization is making measurable progress as we implement our recovery plan with support from Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health.
The progress achieved this year is particularly noteworthy given the significant organizational renewal work occurring simultaneously. As outlined in the Supervisor’s Interim Report, LHSC has been undertaking substantial governance, operational, financial, and cultural reforms while continuing to deliver care, advance research, and educate future health professionals. Throughout this period, thousands of LHSC team members remained focused on what matters most: providing safe, compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families. Their professionalism, dedication, and resilience have been instrumental in maintaining services while helping position LHSC for a stronger future.
Taken together, these improvements have led to a state of readiness for the next chapter at LHSC as we recently announced the renewal of our Board of Directors.
Progress is reflected in the tangible changes already taking place, as well as the longer-term work required to build a stronger, more resilient LHSC. This is steady, deliberate work, and it is designed to last.
We invite you to read the 2025/2026 Annual Report and explore stories that reflect our past, our present, and the progress shaping our future. As you navigate this year’s report, we hope you see the connection between where we’ve been, what’s happening today, and the work underway to strengthen LHSC for the years ahead.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in what LHSC can be today and in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
David Musyj
Supervisor
Deborah Wiseman
Vice President, Medicine, Emergency Services, Critical Care, Clinical Neurological Sciences & Corporate Nursing Executive
Dr. David Steven
Interim Chair, Medical Advisory Committee
Dr. Christie MacDonald
Interim Vice Chair, Medical Advisory Committee