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Awards

January 12, 2026

Kitchener, ON — The Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is proud to announce that all three of its sites have maintained Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest level of recognition awarded by Accreditation Canada.

This achievement follows a recent supplemental survey of WRHN’s Midtown and Chicopee sites (formerly legacy Grand River Hospital sites). These reviews were part of a previously scheduled legacy cycle and serve as a testament to the network’s unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and clinical excellence.

 

A Legacy of Excellence

The “Exemplary Standing” designation is reserved for organizations that go above and beyond the requirements of Accreditation Canada, demonstrating a robust culture of continuous improvement and patient-centered care.

In the 2025 Supplemental Survey Report, assessors noted:

“Congratulations are extended to the organization for the work it has done to prepare for this survey visit. All areas that we visited during the evaluation exhibited a high level of preparedness, with staff actively contributing to the overall process.”

Looking Toward 2027

While this milestone marks the successful conclusion of legacy site assessments, WRHN is already looking toward the future. The organization is currently preparing for its first full organizational Accreditation survey as a unified network, scheduled for June 2027.

Over the coming months, WRHN leadership and frontline teams will engage in:

  • Comprehensive self-assessments across all departments.
  • The development of team-specific action plans.
  • The continuous refinement of patient safety protocols to deliver on the vision of “outstanding care that’s personal, seamless, and reimagined.”

“This result is a direct reflection of the dedication of our team members who strive to be their best every day,” said Nicole Thomson Vice President, Quality, Research, Patient Experience & Social Accountability. “Maintaining Exemplary Standing across all sites ensures our community can remain confident in the high-quality, safe care they receive at any WRHN location.”

 

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About Waterloo Regional Health Network  

Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities.

 

Learn more at WRHN.ca.

 

Media Contact: 
Cassandra Easton
Public Affairs Lead
Waterloo Regional Health Network
[email protected]
519-584-5548

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