SOGH Story

1965-1970

Founded for the Community

Seven Oaks General Hospital is established in the mid-1960s when community members propose a north Winnipeg general hospital to the Manitoba Health Services Commission. The hospital’s objectives include health promotion-an innovative and unique approach to healthcare at the time.

1975

Fundraising with a Clear Vision

The Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation is established to fundraise for hospital equipment, programs, and research.

1980

Seven Oaks General Hospital Officially Opens

The Seven Oaks General Hospital officially opens in 1980 as a full-service general hospital with 174 beds and close to 600 staff offering clinical programs. In its first year, the hospital admits 2,341 patients, performs 2,765 surgeries, and provides 17,591 emergency treatments.

1983

Fitness Centre Opens

The Seven Oaks General Hospital opens an on-site fitness centre to support the health and well-being of its staff and the community. In 1986, the Fitness Centre is renamed in recognition of Joseph Zuken-one of the hospital’s founders.

1989 - 1991

A Prize Winning Partnership

The Seven Oaks General Hospital and the Joseph Zuken Fitness Centre begin making a name for themselves locally and nationally. They are recognized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Fitness Canada, the Canadian Hospital Association and by the City of Winnipeg.

1990 - 1993

Community Wellness Plans

The Seven Oaks General Hospital advances innovative plans in community health and health promotion. The University of Manitoba conducts a Feasibility Study for developing a Health Promotion and Wellness Center.

1996

Wellness Institute Opens

At the time of opening, the Wellness Institute is the first medical fitness facility directly affiliated with a hospital in Canada. It goes on to win numerous awards over the years for improving the community’s health and wellness including the honour of being Canada’s most “Health Promoting Hospital” — in partnership with SOGH.

2002

Dialysis and Oncology Clinic

A new Dialysis and Oncology Clinic opens as the first of many future dialysis expansions at Seven Oaks General Hospital. These expansions include in-center, hemo, peritoneal, and home hemo dialysis units.

2007

New Emergency Room Opens

The Seven Oaks General Hospital opens a new Emergency Room. This expansion allows the hospital to treat approximately 35,000 patients per year in the Emergency Department— about twice as many as when the hospital opened 25 years earlier.

2009

Surgery Consolidation

Seven Oaks’ orthopedic surgery consolidation excels-they see the highest number of hip fracture patients within 48 hours in Canada for years. The holistic approach and strategic measures set a benchmark for inpatient care.

2011-2013

Kidney Failure Risk Equation Developed

After two Landmark publications in JAMA, Seven Oaks General Hospital implements the Kidney Failure Risk Equation invented by CDIC researcher Dr. Tangri. The advancement reduces wait time for nephrology consults by two thirds and starts to become the standard globally.

2012

Family Medicine Clinic and Pharmacy Open

The Seven Oaks General Hospital establishes a large Family Medicine Clinic and retail pharmacy to increase access to family doctors and provide better-integrated inpatient care.

2014

Wellness Institute Model Goes Global

As a result of international interest, the Wellness Institute model is replicated seven times outside of Canada and connects hospitals to community health and health promotion.

2016

CDIC Established

The Chronic Disease Innovation Center (CDIC) is established to further Chronic Kidney Disease research and innovation as well as chronic disease prevention and management.

2017-2020

CDIC Expands

CDIC expands through more research staff, enhanced collaborations with academic institutes and commercial partners, and the construction of a dedicated center. Focus areas include patient engagement, clinical trials, and nutrition/lifestyle interventions.

2019

Update to Clinical Services

The WRHA’s System Transformation initiative transforms the hospital to offer Urgent Care, Subacute Family Medicine, Geriatric Rehabilitation and Day Hospital, and the largest kidney health and dialysis centre in Canada.

2021

Landmark Wellness Institute Study Published

CDIC publishes a landmark Wellness Institute study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study showed that membership at a medical fitness facility was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalizations.