Beyond Care

UniversalCare celebrates 15 years

UniversalCare was founded in 2010 and has since become a leader in seniors’ care across Ontario and beyond.

From the unique example it set during the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, to innovative new care practices and facilities, to record-breaking fundraisers, here is a timeline of how UniversalCare has evolved.

15 Moments for 15 Years

2010

UniversalCare Canada Inc. is founded and signs its first management agreement with York Central Hospital, now Mackenzie Health

1

2011

UniversalCare Foundation is established to raise funds for communities and stakeholders in need

2

2012

UniversalCare becomes the first long-term care provider to manage a specialized hemodialysis unit, setting a new standard for similar facilities across Ontario

3

2012

CEO Joseph Gulizia awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award

4

2013

UniversalCare Health Services is established to provide physiotherapy to its residents

5

2015

UniversalCare reaches 1,000 beds

6

2019

UniversalCare CEO Joseph Gulizia recognized with the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) Community Building Award

7

2020

UniversalCare is appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to assume operations of a facility owned by a large multinational to address its COVID-19 challenges, which it did successfully within 90 days

8

2020

During the pandemic UniversalCare was Ontario’s only privately held long-term care provider with over 10 homes that wasn’t taken over by the military, Red Cross, hospital, and/or any other public or private organization

9

2021

UniversalCare becomes the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) first ever global BPSP (Best Practice Spotlight Organization) Long term Care HOST

10

2022

UniversalCare becomes first organization in Ontario to integrate EPIC, a hospital medical record platform with Point Click Care at multiple sites, to improve communication between care homes and local hospitals to reduce errors

11

2022

CEO Joseph Gulizia awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee award

12

2023

UniversalCare assumes management of its first Indigenous long-term care home and begins construction on its second, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, a 128-bed facility that as of construction is the only net-zero carbon longterm care home in the province

13

2024

UniversalCare’s charity event, Strides for Seniors, raises a record $1.63M in a single day for the founding of a first-of-its-kind Residential Respite Centre for Dementia Care

14

2022

UniversalCare also becomes the first long-term care organization to support York Region Pride

15