Our History
Stevenson Memorial Hospital was made possible by donations from T.P Loblaw, who rose to fame when he opened the first self-serve grocery in Canada. The idea of a hospital was a tribute to Loblaw’s grandparents, William and Elizabeth Stevenson. They had raised him at their farm just outside of Alliston after he was orphaned as an adolescent.
Mr. F.K. Morrow and other citizens of the town also made generous contributions to the building and equipping of the structure on Fletcher Crescent in Alliston. SMH officially opened on June 30, 1928. The present hospital was built in 1964 with money from the original fund as well as donations from public sources.
SMH received accreditation in 1968 and has retained that status through successive surveys.
Stevenson Memorial Hospital - Historical Timeline
Please continue reading below for a historical timeline of our community hospital.
June 1926 - Mr. T.P. Loblaw informed local merchants of his plan to build a hospital in memory of his grandparents.
April 1928 - Miss Jean Gillies, Superintendent, organized local women to assist the hospital. The first Auxiliary President, Mrs. Isabel (Thomas) Whiteside.
June 30, 1928 - Official opening of Stevenson Memorial Hospital with 27 beds.
December 9, 1938 - Nurses residence was built for $26,800.00.
April 24, 1963 - Construction began for the new SMH, contracted for $1,509,800.
June 28, 1964 - Official opening of the second Stevenson Memorial Hospital building.
September 1971 - Meals on Wheels service was initiated, sponsored by SMH, and was financially self-standing.
1980 - The Community Mental Health Clinic opens.
1985 - The Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation is established.
1987 - The Community Mental Health Clinic established in 1980 was renamed The Mary McGill Community Mental Health Centre, after its founder, psychiatric nurse Mary McGill.
March 1996 - Community Satellite Dialysis Program implemented, Video laparoscopy and enhanced mammography introduced, Midwifery Program initiated.
1997 - Bone Densitometry Program commenced. Creation of two Labour, Birthing, Recovery, and Postpartum rooms."Doula" Volunteer Program initiated. Stress Testing Clinic opened. The Prenatal and Postnatal Clinic opened.
1998 - Ambulatory Care Renovations were completed, and the Implementation of Day Rehabilitation Program.
May 2000 - Implementation of the Ontario Breast Screening program.
August 2002 - The Emergency Department reopens on a 24/7 basis and SMH celebrates its 75th Anniversary
December 29, 2005 - SMH and the Nottawasaga OPP signed a formal agreement for the provision of mental health crisis services through the Mary McGill Community Mental Health Centre.
July 26, 2006 - The hospital reinstated a physician waiting list for people who did not have a family physician in the community. For the first time, people were able to register using the internet.
January 25, 2007 - SMH announced that it has successfully achieved a three-year accreditation award through the Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA).
February 15, 2007 - SMH announced that a women's health program will be formalized in the Women's Health Centre. The Well Women's Clinic offers services to women from adolescent to geriatric ages. Women are now able to self-refer to the centre, allowing access to healthcare for women who are without a family physician.
September 2019 - The Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) launched the Because of You, We Can Campaign in support of hospital redevelopment, equipment, and technology.
October 2019 - SMH Names 2019 RPNAO Employer of Excellence.
March 2020 - Stevenson Memorial Hospital receives its first positive case of the COVID-19 virus and opens the COVID-19 Assessment Centre
June 2021 - First Recipient of the SMH Award of Excellence in Nursing is announced, Michele Cook.
January 2022 - Stevenson Memorial Hospital is Awarded Exemplary Standing in 2021 Accreditation Program.
May 2022 - As part of its plan to stay open, the Ontario government invests an additional $6 million to modernize and expand Stevenson Memorial Hospital.
January 2023 - Kasian Architecture was announced as the prime consultant for the SMH redevelopment project.
November 2023 – Early Works construction begins at SMH in preparation for hospital expansion, including the demolition of the Mary McGill Community Mental Health building. SMH also launches Stevenson@Home Program
January 2024 - A $1 million window replacement project gets underway
June 2024 - Spiritual Care Program returns to SMH after it was temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 2024 - Request for Qualifications issued for SMH redevelopment project