Allan Katz
@allankatz.bsky.social
Bilingual health system executive, strategist, and planner
Exécutif, stratège, et planificateur du système de santé bilingue
katzhealth.ca | Kingston, Ontario
Exécutif, stratège, et planificateur du système de santé bilingue
katzhealth.ca | Kingston, Ontario
There are several options to address #homelessness in Ontario. This action taken against an individual with #schizophrenia by the @CityofGuelph isn't the most compassionate: no mental health worker support on scene, no long-term plan. Probably the best example of what not to do. Please. Do. Better.
Tiny home housing homeless man in the woods torn down
For the last few months, Robert Godin had been living in a tiny home built in the woods by his son-in-law to stay warm during the winter. On Tuesday, it was torn down by the city
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 3:07 PM
There are several options to address #homelessness in Ontario. This action taken against an individual with #schizophrenia by the @CityofGuelph isn't the most compassionate: no mental health worker support on scene, no long-term plan. Probably the best example of what not to do. Please. Do. Better.
Hats off to the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal and the Résidence Tupper YMCA for creating an #innovative option for providing a #safe, #privaterooms for people experiencing #homelessness post #hospital discharge.
Time to push it beyond a #pilot! Spread it aggressively across Canada!
Time to push it beyond a #pilot! Spread it aggressively across Canada!
Inside the Quebec YMCA offering transitional housing to homeless people after hospital stay | CBC News
The YMCA and CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal launched "A Pathway to Recovery," a pilot offering 48 private rooms for homeless patients post-hospitalization. It provides clinical care and h...
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Hats off to the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal and the Résidence Tupper YMCA for creating an #innovative option for providing a #safe, #privaterooms for people experiencing #homelessness post #hospital discharge.
Time to push it beyond a #pilot! Spread it aggressively across Canada!
Time to push it beyond a #pilot! Spread it aggressively across Canada!
#Homelessness among #seniors has risen four-fold over the last two decades. Joan's fall combined with #job and #housing #insecurity found her living in her car. The NIA found that 81% of Canadians want to age at home but 62% have done nothing about it. Time for some aggressive upstream programming.
She was past retirement age and sleeping in her car — and it’s unclear how many other Ontario seniors are like her
Many older Ontarians, especially women who often live longer with less, the threat of homelessness is not well documented.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 5:09 PM
#Homelessness among #seniors has risen four-fold over the last two decades. Joan's fall combined with #job and #housing #insecurity found her living in her car. The NIA found that 81% of Canadians want to age at home but 62% have done nothing about it. Time for some aggressive upstream programming.
👍@CIHI_ICIS for launching this important series. The profiles are an assortment of contextual metrics to reflect the health of a community. The metrics should be published at least annually; and made available at the Ontario Health Team level to support decision making and drive resource allocation.
Health System Context Series | CIHI
Explore CIHI’s Health System Context Series, which provides data-driven profiles tailored to each province and territory. These profiles bring together factors and metrics organized into themes.
www.cihi.ca
January 16, 2026 at 4:19 PM
👍@CIHI_ICIS for launching this important series. The profiles are an assortment of contextual metrics to reflect the health of a community. The metrics should be published at least annually; and made available at the Ontario Health Team level to support decision making and drive resource allocation.
(JAMA) Do #dischargeplanners take this into account? Lower neighborhood #income was associated with #higher #postoperative #mortality, suggesting that improving surgical outcomes may require addressing disparities in #SDOH.
Social Determinants of Health and Mortality After Inpatient Surgery
This cohort study examines the association of neighborhood-level income, immigration status, and migration recency with 30-day mortality among adults in Ontario, Canada, who underwent inpatient electi...
jamanetwork.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:42 PM
(JAMA) Do #dischargeplanners take this into account? Lower neighborhood #income was associated with #higher #postoperative #mortality, suggesting that improving surgical outcomes may require addressing disparities in #SDOH.
Up to 70% of clinical decisions require a lab test. Yet, about 70% of Ontario #labs are experiencing #MLT #shortages.
Ontario should fund this @MLPAO proposal to place educators in labs to help students with their clinical placements. $2M per year for 3 years would be a very effective investment.
Ontario should fund this @MLPAO proposal to place educators in labs to help students with their clinical placements. $2M per year for 3 years would be a very effective investment.
Medical labs in Ontario are understaffed, more in-lab educators needed, organization says | CBC News
As medical labs across Ontario remain understaffed, one medical association is calling on the province to expand labs’ capacity for student placements by funding positions to train them.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Up to 70% of clinical decisions require a lab test. Yet, about 70% of Ontario #labs are experiencing #MLT #shortages.
Ontario should fund this @MLPAO proposal to place educators in labs to help students with their clinical placements. $2M per year for 3 years would be a very effective investment.
Ontario should fund this @MLPAO proposal to place educators in labs to help students with their clinical placements. $2M per year for 3 years would be a very effective investment.
Une agence provinciale doit nécessairement faire quelque chose d'incroyablement et délibérément malveillant lorsque 𝗹'𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 recommande d'ajouter plus de contenu en anglais à son site Web !
bit.ly/4aPTo28
bit.ly/4aPTo28
Santé Québec defends mostly French website despite anglo concerns
Still, the agency is in talks with the Office québécois de la langue française and the Ministry of the French Language about the possibility of adding some English.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Une agence provinciale doit nécessairement faire quelque chose d'incroyablement et délibérément malveillant lorsque 𝗹'𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 recommande d'ajouter plus de contenu en anglais à son site Web !
bit.ly/4aPTo28
bit.ly/4aPTo28
Tomorrow is White Ribbon Day. It has been 36 years.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
December 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Tomorrow is White Ribbon Day. It has been 36 years.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
43% of #physicians in #Canada surveyed do not feel #trusted or #respected by #government, according to AbacusData. I reckon a similar result would likely be obtained if repeated with other health care professions.
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
Canadian Physicians say Bill 26 and Bill 2 are Undermining Healthcare in Canada. - Abacus Data
%
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
43% of #physicians in #Canada surveyed do not feel #trusted or #respected by #government, according to AbacusData. I reckon a similar result would likely be obtained if repeated with other health care professions.
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
(Fierce) Excellent piece on rural health by Ayla Ellison. In large swaths of America, #hospitalclosures, #servicecuts and #fragilefinances are creating #rural #healthcare deserts or #survivalbysubtraction. Beyond intermittent #EDclosures, this is happening across #Canada without much discussion.
When the hospital leaves town
There are two kinds of Americans: those who live 12 minutes from an emergency department and those who live 72. | In large swaths of rural America, the basic expectation that an ambulance will reach a...
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
(Fierce) Excellent piece on rural health by Ayla Ellison. In large swaths of America, #hospitalclosures, #servicecuts and #fragilefinances are creating #rural #healthcare deserts or #survivalbysubtraction. Beyond intermittent #EDclosures, this is happening across #Canada without much discussion.
Since 2020, 116 #ruralhospitals in the US have closed their labor & delivery #LD units. Presently, 950 of the 2,396 rural hospitals offer #LD. Of the remaining hospitals, 127 are at risk of ending #LD. Is anyone collecting and publicly sharing similar Canadian information at the F/P/T levels?
ruralhospitals.chqpr.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Since 2020, 116 #ruralhospitals in the US have closed their labor & delivery #LD units. Presently, 950 of the 2,396 rural hospitals offer #LD. Of the remaining hospitals, 127 are at risk of ending #LD. Is anyone collecting and publicly sharing similar Canadian information at the F/P/T levels?
Interesting article reviews #access to #primarycare for ~10M urban and suburban Ontarians and recommends prioritization of access to care close to home. Unfortunately, the study excluded the rural population which merits a similar exploration: 30 km travel for rural residents? A walk in the park!
These patients have a family doctor, but they’re hours away. The hidden health-care struggle for thousands in Ontario
A study published Monday measured how geographical distance between family doctors and their patients might affect quality of care.
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Interesting article reviews #access to #primarycare for ~10M urban and suburban Ontarians and recommends prioritization of access to care close to home. Unfortunately, the study excluded the rural population which merits a similar exploration: 30 km travel for rural residents? A walk in the park!
Given existing and projected workforce shortages, this letter studied rates of #poverty, #foodinsecurity, and #housinginstability among #healthcareworkers in the US. Direct care/support workers reported the highest rates of hardship. Should we track this in Canada? #canaryinthecoalmine
Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Housing Instability Among US Health Care Workers
This study examines rates of poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability among US health care workers.
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Given existing and projected workforce shortages, this letter studied rates of #poverty, #foodinsecurity, and #housinginstability among #healthcareworkers in the US. Direct care/support workers reported the highest rates of hardship. Should we track this in Canada? #canaryinthecoalmine
(@IEDM_montreal) While #nursing vacancies have tripled in just five years across Canada, jumping from 13,178 in 2018 to 41,716 in 2023, Emmanuelle B. Faubert's report saw only BC and Québec saw improvements in #nurse #retention rates (inflow/outflow) since 2014.
Quebec: 37 nurses below the age of 35 left the workforce for every 100 new nurses that started in 2023, finds new MEI report | Montreal Economic Institute
Canada is burning through its young nurses at an alarming rate as healthcare systems across the country struggle to retain them, reveals a new publication released this morning by the MEI.
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
(@IEDM_montreal) While #nursing vacancies have tripled in just five years across Canada, jumping from 13,178 in 2018 to 41,716 in 2023, Emmanuelle B. Faubert's report saw only BC and Québec saw improvements in #nurse #retention rates (inflow/outflow) since 2014.
Congratulations to Sunnybrook and its partners for launching 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 - where patients with cancer and their families receive continuous support between appointments and after hospital stays. Where feasible and safe, this should be the #strategicdirection for all care.
Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Program launches Cancer Care at Home
Sunnybrook is launching Cancer Care at Home, an integrated model that brings more care into the home so patients with cancer and their families receive continuous support between appointments and after hospital stays. Enabled by an impactful donation
bit.ly
October 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Congratulations to Sunnybrook and its partners for launching 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 - where patients with cancer and their families receive continuous support between appointments and after hospital stays. Where feasible and safe, this should be the #strategicdirection for all care.
#IMGs will have to have at least 2 years of high school in Ontario - the only province in the country with such a requirement. Given the current status of physician vacancies across the country (i.e., desperate need), there will be nothing but negative consequences from this.
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
October 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
#IMGs will have to have at least 2 years of high school in Ontario - the only province in the country with such a requirement. Given the current status of physician vacancies across the country (i.e., desperate need), there will be nothing but negative consequences from this.
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
Toronto's Dunn House needs to be celebrated and spread. Congratulations to to Andrew Boozary and the teams at University Health Network, @FredVictorTO, and others for their commitment and perseverance. Politicians, public and private sector leadership must support this incredible transformation.
Jason Miles’ addiction cost $260,000 in emergency room, shelter and jail stays. A Toronto hospital’s radical solution: just give him a home
Jason Miles’ addiction cost $260,000 in emergency room, shelter and jail stays. A Toronto hospital’s radical solution: just give him a home
bit.ly
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Toronto's Dunn House needs to be celebrated and spread. Congratulations to to Andrew Boozary and the teams at University Health Network, @FredVictorTO, and others for their commitment and perseverance. Politicians, public and private sector leadership must support this incredible transformation.
(CBC) Apologies for being late to comment on #TylenolAutism, but I definitely think the #SaganStandard applies here : "𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲".
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
September 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
(CBC) Apologies for being late to comment on #TylenolAutism, but I definitely think the #SaganStandard applies here : "𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲".
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
(JAMA) While @samhhsagov data does not precisely mirror Canadian experience, the information presented here suggests that people with #mentalhealth conditions are at increased risk of developing #substanceuse disorders because they may #selfmedicate with #drugs or #alcohol.
September 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
(JAMA) While @samhhsagov data does not precisely mirror Canadian experience, the information presented here suggests that people with #mentalhealth conditions are at increased risk of developing #substanceuse disorders because they may #selfmedicate with #drugs or #alcohol.
Study indicates considerable variation in price markup exists across US hospitals and that high markups demonstrated 𝚋̲𝚘̲𝚝̲𝚑̲ 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚍̲ 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. These findings underscore that key initial policy targets for #pricingregulation, #transparency, and #qualityimprovement should take precedence.
Hospital Price Markup and Outcomes of Major Elective Operations
This cross-sectional study characterizes US national variation in the hospital price markup for 4 major elective operations and assesses the association of markup with perioperative outcomes and overa...
jamanetwork.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Study indicates considerable variation in price markup exists across US hospitals and that high markups demonstrated 𝚋̲𝚘̲𝚝̲𝚑̲ 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚍̲ 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. These findings underscore that key initial policy targets for #pricingregulation, #transparency, and #qualityimprovement should take precedence.
In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag is celebrated today, a powerful symbol of language, culture, and resilience. For five decades, this green and white flag has flown as a sign of unity and belonging for Ontario’s Francophones.
September 25, 2025 at 1:28 PM
In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag is celebrated today, a powerful symbol of language, culture, and resilience. For five decades, this green and white flag has flown as a sign of unity and belonging for Ontario’s Francophones.
En 2025, le 50ᵉ anniversaire du drapeau franco-ontarien est célébré aujourd'hui, un puissant symbole de langue, de culture et de résilience. Depuis cinq décennies, ce drapeau vert et blanc flotte comme un signe d’unité et d’appartenance pour les francophones de l’Ontario.
September 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
En 2025, le 50ᵉ anniversaire du drapeau franco-ontarien est célébré aujourd'hui, un puissant symbole de langue, de culture et de résilience. Depuis cinq décennies, ce drapeau vert et blanc flotte comme un signe d’unité et d’appartenance pour les francophones de l’Ontario.
@niageing's newest report underscores the urgent need for more coordinated, comprehensive strategies to tackle #dementia - one of Canada’s fastest-growing health challenges, including three policy recommendations (see infographic).
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
September 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
@niageing's newest report underscores the urgent need for more coordinated, comprehensive strategies to tackle #dementia - one of Canada’s fastest-growing health challenges, including three policy recommendations (see infographic).
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
(CMAJ) While #virtual care may have improved access and convenience for some patients, on the whole, the increased availability of virtual care did not meaningfully increase its use for patients living far from #specialists, especially for #rural residents.
Changes in driving distance to specialist physicians in the era of virtual care: a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada
Background: Whether virtual health care has changed access to services for patients living far from a specialist physician is unknown. We aimed to determine whether driving distances between patients ...
www.cmaj.ca
September 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
(CMAJ) While #virtual care may have improved access and convenience for some patients, on the whole, the increased availability of virtual care did not meaningfully increase its use for patients living far from #specialists, especially for #rural residents.
(Toronto Star) I don't post on Sundays, but I'll make an exception. Set aside the artificial points program and fast track permanent residency for Dr. Antil and the other 2,436 #GPs, 170 #surgeons and 519 #specialists in the talent pool ASAP! Read the room @CitImmCanada - this is a no-brainer!
This American family doctor in Toronto is trying to get permanent residence. Canada’s new immigration rule has thrown him a curveball
Age, lack of French and a rule change are obstacles for the U.S. family doctor, who has practised in Toronto for two years.
tinyurl.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:32 PM
(Toronto Star) I don't post on Sundays, but I'll make an exception. Set aside the artificial points program and fast track permanent residency for Dr. Antil and the other 2,436 #GPs, 170 #surgeons and 519 #specialists in the talent pool ASAP! Read the room @CitImmCanada - this is a no-brainer!