The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit delivers programs and services to promote and protect health, and to prevent disease and injury in individuals, families, agencies and communities throughout Simcoe Muskoka. Much of this work is done in collaboration with community partners through initiatives and policies that promote and protect health, support well-being and enhance health equity.
The health unit is governed by a Board of Health and is both municipally and provincially funded. Our work is guided by the Ontario Public Health Standards, along with our vision of “healthy people, healthy places” and values of "respect, equity, collaboration, excellence, accountability and positive workplace." This Annual Report highlights the health unit’s work and achievements in 2025.
Message from the Board of Health Chair and Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
Ann-Marie Kungl, Board of Health Chair and Dr. Lisa Simon, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
For the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, 2025 was a year marked by significant evolution, beginning with a new organizational structure in January and a transition in agency leadership in October. Building on a solid foundation, the health unit renewed its 2024–2025 Strategic Plan and by the end of 2025 was wrapping up its strategic directions on programs and services, people, partnerships and future readiness. At the same time, we began developing a new four-year strategic plan to launch in 2026.
Throughout the year, we continued to deepen our relationships with Indigenous communities, attending meetings with the Chief and Council of Rama, Beausoleil and Wahta First Nations as well as meeting with the leadership of the Georgian Bay Métis Nation of Ontario Community Council. We also strengthened collaboration with other community partners, including signing an updated partnership agreement with two local school boards to support healthier school environments across Simcoe Muskoka. In addition, we worked closely with municipalities, bringing forward local data to inform poverty reduction and food insecurity initiatives, including efforts in Orillia to better understand the impacts of poverty on community well-being.
Further, we embraced innovative opportunities in partnership with other health units, launching our first AI-supported application processes to enhance efficiency and improve client service. This included the introduction of our 24/7 online virtual assistant SAM, which helped more than 3,500 visitors to our website access timely public health information.
At the same time, we continued to enhance the delivery of our core programs. From implementing new services such as GetAKit, a program that expands access to sexually transmitted infection testing and information, to investigating a local measles outbreak and protecting the public’s health during a severe ice storm, the health unit upheld its commitment to the communities we serve.
The work accomplished in 2025 was made possible by our dedicated and skilled staff of more than 300 people. Supporting our employees remained a priority and staff participated in a range of capacity-building opportunities, including training in Indigenous cultural safety, Safer Spaces and naloxone administration. These professional development initiatives reinforced our commitment to ensuring staff are equipped to deliver high-quality programs and services that improve the public’s health and reduce health inequities.
Strategic Plan Outcomes Scorecard Results
The Strategic Plan Outcomes Scorecard measures the health unit’s progress on the 2024–2025 Strategic Plan for each of its strategic objectives of programs and services, people, partnerships, and future.
The illustration below notes that SMDHU made considerable progress towards our strategic plan goals and objectives in 2025.
Operational Highlights
In 2025, the health unit focused on enhancing our programs and services to support the health and well-being of those who live in, work in, and visit our communities. The following sections provide an overview of some of the operational achievements made by the health unit’s programs and services.
Notable Department Achievements
In 2025, each department identified a select number of notable achievements that reflect meaningful contributions made throughout the year. While these highlights do not represent the full scope or most comprehensive work undertaken, they were chosen to illustrate key initiatives and outcomes aligned with organizational priorities and community needs. Collectively, they provide a focused overview of departmental efforts and demonstrate the organization’s ongoing commitment to effective, responsive public health service delivery.
Community and Family Health
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In December 2025, an updated partnership agreement was signed with the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
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Written partnership agreements remain in place with four of the seven publicly funded school boards in the region, alongside ongoing, collaborative relationships with all seven boards.
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Contributions were made to the development of the Ontario Early Adversity and Resilience (OEAR) Framework, a cross-departmental initiative promoting coordinated action to prevent adversity in infancy and childhood, strengthen protective factors, build resilience, and support healing. Staff from Community and Family Health, Corporate Services, and the Medical Officer of Health’s Office supported its development and implementation. The framework was endorsed by the Association of Local Public Health Agencies and recognized provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Clinical Services
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The GetaKit program was launched in 2025, expanding access to free and discreet sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) testing. Residents can complete testing at local laboratories and request HIV self-testing kits delivered directly to their homes.
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In partnership with the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s IPAC Hub, a fall respiratory season preparedness workshop was delivered for hospitals, long-term care homes, and retirement homes. Held in September 2025, the session focused on reducing the severity and incidence of outbreaks associated with COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
Environmental Health
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A 100 percent inspection rate was achieved for personal service settings in 2025, meeting all mandated requirements.
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New partnerships supported the delivery of a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic in Muskoka, improving access to preventive services for pet owners.
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Support was provided during two major emergency management responses: the regional ice storm beginning in March and the Collingwood watermain break in December, helping to protect public health and community safety.
