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Published 2026

We are proud to share the Sault Area Hospital Strategic Plan — a clear and forward‑looking roadmap shaped by the needs, values, and voices of the Algoma community. This plan reflects our commitment to being a Trusted Partner and delivering Outstanding Care, even as healthcare becomes more complex, demand grows, and the needs of our population evolve.

Grounded in a shared mission — Exceptional people working together to provide outstanding care in Algoma — the Strategic Plan reinforces our dedication to working collaboratively with community and regional partners. Together, we are building a stronger, more integrated health system that is culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive to the realities of our region.

This plan is rooted in engagement with patients, families, caregivers, staff, physicians, volunteers, and partners across Algoma. Their insights shaped a collective vision for a future where care is seamless, equitable, and accessible; where transitions between hospital, home, and community feel coordinated; and where every person feels heard, respected, and supported.

Anchored in SAH’s iCcare values — Integrity, Compassion, Collaboration & Partnership, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — the Strategic Plan is built on three priority initiatives:

  • Compassionate Person‑Centred Care
  • Healthy and Supportive Organization
  • Strengthening Our Operations

These directions guide our efforts to improve access to care, advance Indigenous health and culturally safe practices, support our workforce, modernize our tools and systems, expand research and innovation, and ensure long‑term sustainability.

The Strategic Plan serves not only as a roadmap, but as a promise — to embrace innovation, strengthen partnerships, and ensure every individual in Algoma has access to safe, high‑quality, inclusive care. Together, we are shaping a healthier, more connected future for our community.

Trusted Partner. Outstanding Care.

Click to read SAH's Strategic Plan on a Page

Inspired by Our Community

Healthcare in Algoma is changing rapidly, and this plan responds to the needs, experiences and realities of the people we serve.

People across our region are living longer and managing more complex health conditions, including chronic disease, multimorbidity, mental health challenges and substance use concerns, all while facing delays in access to care and the impacts of workforce strain.

Algoma’s unique context shapes these experiences: by 2026, nearly one‑third of residents will be seniors; many live in rural and remote communities; 14% identify as Indigenous; and preventable illness and higher‑than‑average mortality continue to affect families across the region.

At the same time, emerging risks — from vaccination gaps and infectious disease resurgence to wildfire smoke, air‑quality concerns, housing pressures, food insecurity and limited access to primary care — continue to influence people’s health and well‑being.

These realities underscore why this plan matters: it is designed to respond to the evolving needs of our community and strengthen the health system for the future.

Shaped by the Voices of Patients, Families and Caregivers

The Patient, Family and Caregiver Perspective was developed by Sault Area Hospital Patient and Family Advisors to illustrate what our strategic goals look like for the people who access our services. It remains a foundational element of our Strategic Plan because it reflects the principles that guide how we deliver care and how we partner with our community.

Sault Area Hospital is committed to creating an environment where patients, families and caregivers are active partners throughout their healthcare journey. Engagement means working together at every level of the system—individual care, organizational design and governance, and system‑level planning—to improve health and health care.

This commitment is also demonstrated through everyday interactions: being greeted with kindness, communicating openly with care teams, and being supported to participate meaningfully in decisions about care. The Patient, Family and Caregiver Perspective captures these expectations and reinforces the values that shape our approach to person‑centred, culturally safe and inclusive care.

Patient, Family & Caregiver Perspective

Our vision is that the team at Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is highly skilled at what they do. They always acknowledge and greet us with a smile and ask, “How can I help?” They see and treat patients as people and not a diagnosis. In addition, they are passionate about caring for all people. They enjoy their roles, feel safe and supported and are proud to work at the hospital. Health care in Algoma will look and feel like one system. When we visit different hospital departments or go from the hospital to home or elsewhere in the community, the transition is seamless and smooth. Providers have access to accurate and up-to-date information when and where they need it. SAH works within available resources to provide top-notch care. We need to travel to other cities for care only when it is in our best interests. When possible, care is provided at home, virtually or in the community rather than in the hospital. We can always get information, have our questions answered, and feel empowered to have a voice in our health care. The team at SAH considers and respects our wishes. We make decisions about treatment together, considering individual identity, beliefs, values, history, culture, and ability. Finally, we are confident that SAH will apply lessons learned to improve healthcare services for patients and families, both under ordinary and exceptional circumstances.

SAH Patient and Family Advisors Tweet
Us, We and Our: includes patients, clients, families, caregivers, people with lived and/or living experience, traditionally underrepresented voices, and/or other citizens and community members.

Guided by Our Vision, Mission and iCcare Values

Vision

Trusted Partner. Outstanding Care.

Mission

Exceptional people working together to provide outstanding care in Algoma.  

iCcare Values

Integrity: We say what we mean, and we mean what we say.

Compassion: We show concern and care for others.

Collaboration & Partnership: We promote teamwork.

Accountability: We are answerable for our actions and decisions.

Respect: We care about the well-being, dignity and uniqueness of everyone.

Excellence: We deliver our best every day and encourage innovation to continuously improve.

Informed by Our Community: Our Focus

The following priorities reflect our focus to strengthen care, support our people, and enhance our organization. The outcomes described below represent the future experiences and improvements we are working toward for patients, families, staff, physicians, volunteers, and our communities.

Compassionate Person‑Centred Care

We will ensure our patients and their families feel heard and empowered to be active participants in their care.

Priority Initiatives

Timely Access to Care

Patients will experience timely, seamless access to the right care at the right time as we reduce delays and strengthen coordination across the system.

Wellness & Preventable Care

Patients will experience more proactive support to help them stay well as we expand early-intervention efforts, reduce avoidable illness, and collaborate with community partners to reach people earlier.

Indigenous Health

Indigenous patients will experience care that honours their voices, rights, traditions, and community relationships as we advance culturally safe practices, deliver culturally safe care, strengthen relationships with Indigenous partners, and support staff, physicians, and volunteers in learning, engagement, and shared responsibility for this work.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Patients will experience respectful, inclusive care where they feel valued and supported as we remove barriers, improve representation and embed equity throughout the organization and in all aspects of care.

Healthy and Supportive Organization

Our leaders will enable their teams to do their best and ensure staff, physicians, and volunteers are healthy, well and safe at work.

Priority Initiatives

Enhanced Health Organization and Academic

Teams will experience expanded opportunities to learn, innovate and enhance care as we strengthen academic partnerships, support workforce development and cultivate an environment that encourages the contribution of ideas and drives innovation.

Enhanced Supportive Leadership and Improved Worker Well‑Being

Staff, physicians and volunteers will experience a healthier, more supportive workplace as we strengthen people‑focused leadership practices and invest in well‑being and healthy work environments.

Care for the Environment

Our community will benefit from our commitment to a healthier, more sustainable environment as we advance sustainability, reduce our environmental footprint and modernize our infrastructure

Strengthening Our Operations

We will ensure that our organization can best meet the health and care needs of the population we serve.

Priority Initiatives

High-Quality Hospital Care

Patients will experience safe, high‑quality hospital care and better outcomes as we strengthen our quality framework, expand research and innovation and advance continuous improvement.

Using Funding and Equipment Wisely

Our community will benefit from a sustainable hospital that invests where it matters most as we steward funding and equipment wisely through evidence‑informed decisions and optimized resources.

Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Investments

Patients will experience more connected, efficient, and user‑friendly care as we work to modernize services through digital health and AI innovations and move toward a fully integrated digital care experience.

System Collaboration

Patients will experience smoother transitions and better‑coordinated care as we deepen collaboration with partners across Algoma and the Northeast to create a more integrated health system.

Looking Ahead Together

The Sault Area Hospital Strategic Plan is more than a set of priorities — it is a shared commitment to the people of Algoma. It reflects the voices of patients, families, caregivers, staff, physicians, volunteers and partners who helped shape a collective vision for the future of care in our region. As we move forward, we will continue to listen, learn, and adapt to ensure our actions remain aligned with what matters most to the community we serve.

Our plan sets a clear direction for delivering compassionate, person‑centred care; supporting a healthy and thriving workforce; and strengthening the systems, tools and partnerships that make high‑quality care possible. Achieving this vision will require collaboration, innovation and a steadfast focus on equity, cultural safety and inclusion.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, insights and experiences. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected health system — one that supports well‑being today and creates a healthier future for Algoma.

Trusted Partner . Outstanding Care.

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