Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (commonly known as Sunnybrook Hospital) is one of Canada’s leading academic health science institutions. Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Sunnybrook has evolved from a military hospital established in 1948 into a world-renowned powerhouse for clinical care, groundbreaking biomedical research, and medical education.
Handling more than 1.3 million patient visits annually across its main Bayview campus and specialized satellite facilities, Sunnybrook is renowned for its trauma care, complex cancer therapies, and advanced surgical interventions.
Key Specialized Medical Programs
Sunnybrook is organized into specialized programs designed to tackle high-acuity medical challenges with multidisciplinary care teams.
1. Odette Cancer Centre
The Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook is one of North America’s largest comprehensive cancer care and research facilities.
- Precision Radiation and Chemotherapy: Equipped with advanced linear accelerators and MR-guided radiation systems, allowing oncologists to target tumors with pinpoint accuracy while sparing healthy surrounding tissue.
- Specialized Disease Site Groups: Multidisciplinary clinics for breast, prostate, gastrointestinal, neuro-oncology, and hematologic cancers.
- Clinical Trials: Access to experimental therapies, immunotherapies, and biomarker-driven treatments through the Sunnybrook Research Institute.
2. Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program
Sunnybrook is an international leader in image-guided therapeutics for neurological conditions.
- Focused Ultrasound (FUS): Sunnybrook pioneered non-invasive MR-guided focused ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier for targeted chemotherapy delivery and to treat essential tremors and movement disorders without surgical incisions.
- Comprehensive Stroke Centre: Rapid intervention protocol utilizing mechanical thrombectomy and clot-busting therapeutics for acute ischemic strokes.
- Integrated Mental Health Care: Addressing mood disorders, complex dementia, and traumatic brain injury rehab under one integrated framework.
3. Schulich Heart Centre
- Interventional Cardiology: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), complex angioplasty, and structural heart repairs.
- Cardiac Arrhythmia and Surgery: High-volume cardiac surgical suites dedicated to coronary artery bypass grafting, minimally invasive valve repair, and advanced electrophysiology ablations.
4. DAN Women & Babies Program
- High-Risk Obstetrics: Level III Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) caring for critically ill, premature, and micro-preemie newborns from across Ontario.
- Accessibility Milestone: Home to North America’s first specialized accessible pregnancy clinic designed for women with physical mobility challenges.
5. Holland Musculoskeletal Program
- Operating primarily out of the dedicated Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre in downtown Toronto, this program is Canada’s premier center for total hip and knee joint replacements, major revisions, and sports medicine rehabilitation.
Canada’s Premier Trauma and Burn Centre
Sunnybrook houses the Tory Trauma Program, home to Canada’s first and largest Level 1 Trauma Centre.
- First ACS-Accredited Level 1 Center Outside the US: Verified by both the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and Trauma Association of Canada (TAC) for meeting elite trauma resuscitation, surgical readiness, and outcome standards.
- Ross Tilley Burn Centre: The largest specialized burn facility in Canada, treating complex, severe thermal, electrical, and chemical burns with state-of-the-art biological dressings, skin substitutes, and hyper-specialized ICU monitoring.
- Rapid Helipad Access: Equipped with an on-site rooftop helipad directly linked to emergency trauma suites and critical care ORs for air-ambulance transports across Ontario.
Sunnybrook Campuses at a Glance
| Campus | Address | Core Specialties |
| Bayview Campus (Main) | 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto | Level 1 Trauma, Odette Cancer, Schulich Heart, Hurvitz Brain, NICU, Emergency |
| Holland Centre | 43 Wellesley St E, Toronto | Joint Replacements, Orthopaedic Surgery, Musculoskeletal Rehab |
| St. John’s Rehab | 285 Cummer Ave, Toronto | Inpatient & Outpatient Physical Rehab, Burn Recovery, Amputee Care |
| Kilgour / George Hees Wings | Bayview Campus (L & K Wings) | Veterans Centre (Canada’s largest long-term specialized care facility) |
Patient & Visitor Practical Guide
1. Public Transit & Directions
- Subway + Bus Connectivity: Take the TTC Line 1 (Yonge-University) to Davisville Station and catch the 11 Bayview Bus, or exit at Lawrence Station and take the 124 Sunnybrook Bus directly onto campus grounds (stopping in front of M-Wing and A-Wing).
- Driving Access: Located at 2075 Bayview Avenue, situated between Eglinton Ave East and Lawrence Ave East, easily accessible from Highway 401 via Bayview Ave South.
2. Parking Information
- Standard Rates: Half-hour minimum increments with daily maximum rates apply.
- Multi-Day & Discounted Passes: 5-use, 10-use, and 30-use consecutive or flexible discounted passes can be purchased at the Parking and Transportation Office (C-Wing, Ground Floor).
- Digital Payment: Pay stations accept cash, major credit cards, and payments through mobile parking apps.
3. Patient Check-In Essentials
- Always bring a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card or equivalent out-of-province/private insurance documentation.
- Carry an updated physical list of current prescription medications, dosages, and relevant recent imaging or lab records.
- For Odette Cancer Centre clinics, check in directly at the automated kiosks or reception desk inside T-Wing.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre pairs high-acuity crisis response with compassionate specialty medicine, remaining one of Ontario’s most trusted healthcare institutions.
Navigating the Emergency Department & Acute Care
Sunnybrook’s Emergency Department (ED) operates 24/7 at the Bayview Campus (M-Wing, Ground Floor), functioning as both a community emergency room and the entry portal for the regional trauma system.
Triage Process
- Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS): Patients are evaluated immediately upon arrival by a specialized triage nurse. Care is prioritized based on medical severity rather than arrival time.
- Rapid Assessment Zone (RAZ): Designed for patients with acute but non-life-threatening conditions, facilitating faster diagnosis, basic imaging, and discharge without occupying acute care stretchers.
- Trauma Activations: Critical trauma admissions bypass standard waiting areas and proceed directly into the Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU).
Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI): Pioneering Medical Breakthroughs
The Sunnybrook Research Institute is an internationally recognized biomedical research enterprise with over $100 million in annual research funding. SRI bridges the gap between laboratory bench discoveries and bedside clinical care.
- Focused Ultrasound Centre of Excellence: Designated by the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, this center leads international clinical trials applying MR-guided ultrasound to cross the blood-brain barrier for Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and glioblastoma therapies.
- Biological Sciences Platform: Focuses on molecular and cellular biology to understand immune system responses, tumor resistance, and novel vaccine formulations.
- Evaluative Clinical Sciences: Develops health policy analytics, clinical practice guidelines, and artificial intelligence diagnostic algorithms that optimize surgical recovery times and hospital bed allocations across Ontario.
Canada’s Largest Veterans Centre
Located in the Kilgour and George Hees Wings (K and L Wings) of the Bayview Campus, Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre is the largest specialized long-term care facility of its kind in Canada.
- Dedicated Veteran Care: In partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, the facility provides comprehensive physical, medical, and psychosocial care for WWII and Korean War veterans, as well as modern military service veterans requiring specialized support.
- Cognitive & Dementia Care: Tailored therapeutic spaces, secure outdoor gardens, and multidisciplinary teams including gerontologists, recreational therapists, physiotherapists, and music therapists.
- Community and Commemoration: Active commemorative events, creative arts programs, and personalized therapy designed to maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life.
Digital Health Access: MyChart by Sunnybrook
Sunnybrook is a pioneer in digital patient empowerment through its proprietary and widely adopted platform, MyChart.
- Instant Record Access: View lab results, diagnostic imaging reports, pathology findings, and clinic visit notes securely online.
- Appointment Management: Check upcoming clinic schedules, view preparation instructions, and complete pre-visit digital questionnaires.
- Personal Health Diary: Track personal vitals, medications, allergies, and securely share health records with family physicians or external specialists outside the hospital network.
Amenities & On-Site Patient Support
1. Dining & Retail Services
- M-Wing Food Court: Includes Tim Hortons, Subway, and cafeteria-style hot food stations.
- S-Wing & T-Wing (Odette): Grab-and-go specialty coffee kiosks and light meal options for patients waiting between appointments.
- Pharmacy Services: Full-service outpatient pharmacies located in both the M-Wing and Odette Cancer Centre (T-Wing) for specialized oncology prescriptions, general medications, and medical supplies.
2. Accessibility & Support Services
- Language Interpretation: In-person and phone interpretation services are available in over 150 languages, along with American Sign Language (ASL) support.
- Spiritual and Religious Care: Multi-faith chapels and quiet reflection rooms located on the ground floor, supported by spiritual care practitioners from diverse faith traditions.
- Patient Relations: An independent advocacy office (E-Wing, Ground Floor) to assist patients and families with concerns, complaints, or navigation assistance throughout their hospital journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a doctor’s referral to be treated at Sunnybrook?
Yes, for specialized outpatient clinics—including the Odette Cancer Centre, Hurvitz Brain Sciences, and Schulich Heart clinics—a referral from a licensed family physician or medical specialist is required. Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma care do not require referrals.
How does Sunnybrook handle non-OHIP or international patients?
Patients without Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP) can access care through private medical insurance, international health plans, or self-pay arrangements. The patient billing department provides itemized fee schedules prior to elective procedures.
Are there accommodations available nearby for families of out-of-town patients?
Sunnybrook maintains partnerships with local hotels in North York and Midtown Toronto offering medical discount rates. Additionally, specialized short-term family accommodations are coordinated through Social Work for families of critically ill trauma and burn patients.