One Program – Two Sites: High Quality Cardiovascular Care in Thunder Bay

Dr. Barry Rubin is the Medical Director of the new joint cardiovascular program between Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC). The PMCC is one of the world’s leading cardiac and vascular centres, and is part of University Health Network (UHN), located in Toronto.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in this role. This partnership enables us to bring much-needed comprehensive cardiovascular services to underserviced communities in Northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Rubin.  “Our ‘one program on two sites’ model will ensure that the same high quality of care is delivered in Thunder Bay as at the PMCC, where more than 163,000 outpatients are treated each year with innovative and leading-edge technologies that support excellence.”

The “one program two sites” model will bring safe, quality cardiovascular care to patients in NorthWestern Ontario – the idea for this program was first proposed several years ago by Dr. Rubin and Dr. Gord Porter, our Hospital’s current Chief of Staff. Dr. Rubin will provide our Hospital with experience and guidance, and is responsible for quality patient outcomes across Cardiology and Vascular Surgery, as well as Cardiac Surgery, once that program is up and running.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Rubin’s expertise and leadership as we move forward on our quest to deliver quality cardiac care,” said Arlene Thomson, the Hospital’s Senior Director of Cardiovascular Program Development and Implementation. “He is an experienced surgeon and a skilled administrator, and has been involved in program development here at our Hospital, from training and recruiting, to providing support and mentoring our staff. Having him as part of our team will be of great benefit to patients and families across the region.”

With Dr. Rubin’s guidance, patients at our Hospital will receive the same high-quality cardiovascular care as they would in Southern Ontario, but without the added stress and expense of having to travel. It also enables patients living in Northwestern Ontario to receive the life-saving procedures they need in a community that is more sensitive to their needs and more familiar with their circumstances. “Providing high quality care closer to home is the whole idea”, said Dr. Rubin.  “Patients should not have to travel a 1,000 km to receive this care.”