Stay Informed
Sign up to our newsletter and be the first to receive updates on the latest educational resources, upcoming events, and key insights from the Toronto Region Maternal and Child Health Network.
About Us
The Toronto Maternal and Child Health Network (TMCHN) is one of six regional maternal child health networks in Ontario. These networks aim to improve connections among healthcare providers and organizations to enhance health outcomes and equity for perinatal, neonatal, and pediatric populations in their region across Ontario.
The initial focus of the TMCHN is to strengthen inter-hospital partnership to support capacity building and improving access and flow across the maternal child health continuum in the Toronto Region.
Our Priorities
To improve health outcomes of the maternal-child population in Toronto, the network’s priorities are:
Local Gap Analysis and Planning
- Identify and understand service gaps, including barriers to underserved populations
- Understand and track current patient demand and health services activity to inform priorities and planning
Executing Improvements to Care
- Implement best practices and guidelines
- Use data for benchmarking, priority setting, and quality improvement
- Provide training and education to providers
Connect and Coordinate Providers
- Connect local systems in a way that supports coordination in the region
- Support local service delivery across settings
Inform and Provide Input to Provincial Entities
- Accountable to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ontario Health Toronto Region
- Collaborate closely with regional Networks and align activities with the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health and the Better Outcomes Registry Network
Key Milestones
2020 – 2021
Toronto Network Inception
The TMCHN was established with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) to build a foundation of knowledge and expertise in the Toronto Region and foster an integrated system to improve outcomes for perinatal, neonatal and pediatric health.
The initial focus of the TMCHN is to strengthen inter-hospital partnerships across the Toronto region, with a focus on building capacity and improving access and flow across hospital-based maternal, neonatal, and pediatric health services.
2021
COVID-19
Convened tables to support COVID-19 pandemic activities, including practice standards for the Region.
2022 – 2023
Unprecedented Pediatric Surge
Supported key pediatric priorities when an unprecedented number of pediatric patients with viral illness required hospital care, including, establishing transfer pathways to support the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
2024
Review and Refresh
Refreshed the form and function of the TMCHN in alignment with newly established Core Elements of a Maternal-Child Health Regional Network
2025 – 2026
Expand
As the TMCHN structures and resources grow and accountabilities/incentives in additional sectors align, the network plans to include providers in community sectors.
Meet the team
Mackenzie Heath
Program Manager, TMCHN
Paul Davis
Director, Clinical and Health System Strategy, SickKids
Stephanie Chu
Education and Quality Lead, TMCHN
Dr. Julia Orkin
Pediatric Clinical Lead and EAC Co-Chair, TMCHN
Dr. Andrea Lausman
Obstetrical Clinical Lead, TMCHN
Kelly Falzon
Perinatal Lead, TMCHN
Our Brand
In 2024, TMCHN created a design and logo to illustrate the role of the network. The logo depicts a mother and child with interwoven shapes that represent the region and its community, as well as a balance scale symbolizing a commitment to equitable care. The logo reflects the shared vision and collaborative spirit of over 60 members.
Governance and Operational Structure
The governance and operational structure of the TMCHN will evolve over time as the network matures. The governance structure includes representation from both community and academic settings, professional disciplines, and perspectives that represent the range of services and resources centralized in the Toronto Region.
Executive Advisory Committee
- Provides strategic guidance and executive leadership on the TMCHN priorities, projects and activities.
- Members of the Executive Advisory Committee are informed of provincial and regional priorities, and provide linkages between the network and other partners to fulfil the mandate of the network.
Neonatal-Pediatric Clinical Committee
- Provides oversight and input on neonatal-pediatric portfolio of the network.
- Identify gaps in access and services, recognize opportunities and recommend regional priorities for pediatric care based on research, expertise, and best practice. The activities of the committee will support an integrated, consistent, and coordinated service delivery model for the neonatal and pediatric care in the region for patients and families.
Perinatal Clinical Committee
- Provides oversight and input on perinatal portfolio of the network.
- Identify gaps in access and services, recognize opportunities and recommend regional priorities for perinatal care based on research, expertise, and best practice. The activities of the committee will support an integrated, consistent, and coordinated service delivery model for the perinatal care in the region for patients and families.
