Fueling System Transformation

Anticipation filled the air as more than 200 guests of St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) crowded under a large white tent to celebrate a transformational donation. Yet they were unaware of just how significant it would be for the community and the future of mental health care.

On June 15, St. Joseph’s announced a $5 million gift – the largest known donation of its kind in Southwestern Ontario – from Ryan Finch, President of Finch Auto Group. The donation will fund research to create system change, making it easier for patients to access mental health care and receive the help they need.  

The announcement prompted thunderous applause from health care leaders, politicians, community members, business associates, friends and Finch family members who had gathered at St. Joseph’s Mental Health Care Building at Parkwood Institute. For Ryan, who sat smiling shyly in the front row, it was a proud moment witnessed by his parents, partner Haley Tweddle, and two children Wyatt and Georja. It was also a heartwarming reflection of what true success means to the London businessman – the ability and inclination to give back to the community.

“I hope this donation improves access for people in need,” Ryan told the crowd. “I hope this donation spurs research that leads to more treatment and breakthroughs. And I hope this donation inspires young businesspeople out there to share their good fortunes. But what I really want to do is to let everyone out there that’s hurting know we care.”

For health care leaders, the financial injection couldn’t come fast enough. As burgeoning numbers of people struggle with mental health concerns, significant change is needed to improve access to care.

It was an issue Ryan couldn’t ignore. It motivated him to work closely with senior leaders at St. Joseph’s to understand the full scope of mental health care needs and what it might take to transform the system.

As Site Chief of St. Joseph’s Mental Health Care Program, Dr. Viraj Mehta understands firsthand why changes to the system are essential. Lauding Ryan as a trailblazer in funding an often-overlooked area of care, Dr. Metha says the donation has him feeling extremely optimistic about the future.

“It is quite hard to truly describe how positive a feeling this produces for me,” says the physician. “This is an opportunity I didn’t think we would ever have.”

The mental health care system is a complicated one to navigate – both for people living with mental illness and for health care providers, adds Jodi Younger, Vice President of Patient Care and Quality at St. Joseph’s.  

“People can wrap their minds around breast cancer research, diabetes care or other health issues – how you diagnose it, the care pathway and the options. But that’s not the case with mental health.”

The generous donation will support an innovative new Research Chair in Mental Health System Transformation, a first in Canada, to lead the development of collaborative initiatives to advance mental health system changes in London. The funds will also support special initiatives to improve the system, as well as expand St. Joseph’s innovative research project Mental Health Incubator for Disruptive Solutions (MINDS 2.0).

Dr. Arlene MacDougall, principal researcher for MINDS says the current system should be proactive, not reactive, because too often it is only when a mental illness becomes debilitating that an individual seeks help.  

In recognition of Ryan’s generosity, St. Joseph’s unveiled the new name for the Mental Health Care Building – the Finch Family Mental Health Care Building. Ryan hopes attaching his family name to mental health will help tackle the broader issue of stigma.

“We are immensely grateful to Ryan Finch for his donation,” said Michelle Campbell, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation. “In addition to his generosity, the addition of the Finch name on our building opens conversations and breaks down community barriers.”

You can help

To contribute to the work underway in mental health system transformation, you are invited to support the Mental Health Care Innovation Fund. Contact Lisa Giroux, Senior Development Officer, at @email, or call St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation, 519 646-6085.