NYGH Launches New Digital Platform to Empower Breast Cancer Patients to Manage Cancer Journeys
Toronto (March 28, 2024) – North York General Hospital (NYGH) is making it easier for breast cancer patients to make informed decisions about their care with a new, comprehensive and customized digital platform, MyJourney.
The platform is designed to help breast cancer patients and caregivers to understand all aspects of a patient’s condition and care journey so they can make the right personal care decisions. MyJourney is NYGH’s latest innovation to improve outcomes and experiences for people living with breast cancer. NYGH’s comprehensive Breast Cancer Program is the first and only in Canada to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons in recognition of its rigorous quality standards at every step of the cancer care experience.
“After the shock of a cancer diagnosis patients often face a long list of appointments, tests and consultations that can be overwhelming,” says Dr. Fahima Osman, a breast cancer surgeon at NYGH who designed the platform with help from a team of developers and input from patients. “MyJourney makes this easier for patients by helping them navigate each step of their breast cancer journey from diagnosis to life after treatment, all in one place and from the convenience of home through their smartphone or tablet.”
Seed funding for MyJourney was made possible by the generous support of NYGH’s donor community, including Brad Badeau and family, with further assistance provided by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) through the Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program.
“Through the Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program, our government is helping innovators across Ontario bring novel and comprehensive digital solutions to market,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “The launch of the MyJourney app demonstrates another key step towards advancing a connected and convenient health care system. We congratulate NYGH on this success, and look forward to seeing their innovative technology advance the standard of care for all those affected by breast cancer.”
With MyJourney, patients access accurate educational content that has been carefully evaluated and customized by their care team according to personal factors including their age, type of cancer and stage of life. For example, women under 45 who are undergoing chemotherapy will receive information on fertility after treatment.
“Through the MyJourney digital platform, NYGH is pioneering innovative solutions and setting new standards of care for those living with breast cancer,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation. “OCI is proud to support NYGH’s Breast Cancer Program through the Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program at the Ontario Centre of Innovation, enabling pioneering solutions that elevate the standard of care for those living with breast cancer.”
MyJourney also allows patients to keep track of their appointments and treatment plans and to communicate with their oncologists, surgeons and other members of the care team. Clinicians can use the platform to easily track each patient’s progress, automate workflows and connect with patients virtually. The platform is integrated with the electronic medical record systems of other hospitals a patient may visit for aspects of their breast cancer care to cover their journey more completely.
“MyJourney demonstrates how digital solutions can empower patients to be active participants in their personal health and healing,” said Everton Gooden, President and CEO, NYGH. “We thank the Ontario Centre of Innovation and our generous donors including the Badeau family for supporting NYGH’s Breast Cancer Program to provide the very highest standard of care to our patients living with breast cancer.”
North York General Hospital
NYGH is a top-ranked community academic hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto that provides high-quality acute, ambulatory, and long-term care to approximately half a million people across seven sites in Toronto. NYGH has been named Canada’s number one community hospital by Newsweek Magazine for six consecutive years and is ranked by Newsweek as one of the World’s Best Smart Hospitals for adopting advanced technologies for patient care, among other national and international recognitions earned by NYGH’s teams for high quality care.
Ontario Centre of Innovation
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.
As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent.
OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies. For more information: https://www.oc-innovation.ca
For more information, contact corporate.communications@nygh.on.ca