Our Partners
Community Advisory Panels (CAPs)
Vital partnerships that bridge community and hospital
"Focusing on vulnerable populations through partnerships with local agencies, other hospitals and community care providers is one of our main priorities. " - Dr. Bob Howard
Collaboration - what CAPs are all about
St. Michael's Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) are leaders in community-hospital collaboration for health equity.
CAPs are a best practice model for health organizations around the world to improve hospital services through community engagement - particularly for those who are most vulnerable.
Our three CAPs focus on:
- Women and children
- People who are homeless or under-housed
- People with severe and persistent mental illness
CAPs are a dynamic mix of people - St Michael's staff, patients, consumers and community members who care about health. The program is coordinated through the Inner City Health Program.
Advocacy for those who are vulnerable
Since 1992, CAPs have maintained a crucial dialogue between St. Michael's Hospital and our broader inner-city community. They bring the community voice into the hospital - and take the hospital into the community. CAPs help to create and support inclusive services for those who are at-risk and have special needs.
Partners in patient-care, research and education
Our CAPs have contributed to 60 innovations in patient care, research and education that have had a huge impact on how we do our work at St. Michael's.
