Closing the Heart Health Gap in Northern Ontario
Supporting recovery, improving lives, and ensuring access to life-saving cardiac rehabilitation across North Bay and the Nipissing District
Inaugural Fundraising Dinner & Community Education Event
6pm July 23, 2026
Dr. Jari Tuomi, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Featured Presentation
The impact of cardiac rehabilitation locally and the vision for expanding across the Nipissing District
Scan To Get Your Tickets!
We're Excited to Announce a Special Guest Speaker!
Dr. Paul Oh
Heart Health Across Ontario – Strength in Collaboration
Speaking on the UHN-North Bay Collaboration, provincial and national heart health stats, Ontario cardiac rehap, systems of collaboration and more!
Dr. Paul Oh is Medical Director and GoodLife Fitness Chair in the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation Program at the University Health Network – Toronto Rehab and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He has a clinical advisor and working group chair on cardiac rehab for Ontario Health for over 20 years. He has been an author of over 350 peer reviewed publications, and is principal investigator on a number of grants examining exercise, uses of technology, behavioural and educational interventions for the primary and secondary prevention and management of cardiovascular conditions, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in multicultural populations.
WHY CARDIAC REHABILITATION MATTERS
27%
reduction in all-cause mortality
31%
reduction in cardiac mortality
Reduced hospitalizations and ED Visits
Improved quality of life
Better return-to-work outcomes
Stronger patients, stronger communities
*Only 35% of eligible Ontarians have access to cardiac rehabilitation
*The Challenge: A Tale of Two Ontarios
| 32% | higher rates of readmission to hospital after a heart attack | |
| 31% | higher rates of readmission to hospital after a stroke | |
| 16% | higher rates of readmission to hospital for heart failure | |
| 2.5-2.9 | years shorter life expectancy than those living in Southern Ontario |
* Statistics from Mahmood A, Ray R, Bin Salam SST et al. 2024 [link]
Postal code should not determine life expectancy.
The North Bay Solution
First comprehensive evidence-based cardiac rehabilitation program in the region.
Developed in partnership with UHN, Canadore College, Nipissing University, YMCA of Northeastern Ontario, and community healthcare partners.
16-week multidisciplinary program.
Provided at no cost to patients
Our Impact In North Bay & The Nipissing District
100+
Patients Served Since Launch
250-300
Projected Patients Served Annually
$500,000+
Estimated Annual Healthcare Savings
Growing
Demand Across the Region
World-Class Program. Local Access.
Program Includes
Exercise assessment and training
Education and self management
Nutrition counselling
Psychosocial support
Risk factor management
Ongoing follow-up and support
Patient Stories
"If they hadn't put me in touch with these people, I probably wouldn't have made it. I didn't even know I had taken a heart attack until they woke me up and told me they had to do open heart. In my opinion, they are the reason I'm here today."
~ Louie
"You basically leave the hospital and you feel like you're alone and this is a program where you're given a program that allows you to share with other people. After a few weeks of being in the program, people say they didn't know what to expect and now they can walk without assistance and they are not as short of breath. We were weepy when it ended. To have North bay be able to have a program is good for the community and it's something that is really required. The need is there. People are asking how they can get into the program, where they can find it, and what they do in the program."
~ Jackie
"I had cardiac surgery that resulted in a significant decline in my fitness and energy levels. The 16 week cardiac rehab program very much helped me regain my overall health, fitness, and wellbeing. The session leaders delivered a first-class program. I highly recommend it."
~ Wayne
About The Foundation
The North Bay Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundation is an incorporated not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the North Bay Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
Through community fundraising, we help ensure the program remains sustainable and accessible for all who need it.
Our Mission
Support recovery in the heart of Nipissing
Our Vision
A future where every resident of the Nipissing District has access to life-saving cardiac rehabilitation close to home
100%
of donations stay local and support cardiac rehabilitation services close to home
Foundation Leadership
Dr. Jari Tuomi
Chair
Martin Hunka
Treasurer
Dave Hansman
Secretary
Mark Wagner
Director
Hon. George Valin
Director
Debbie Deering
Director
Stacie Fiddler
Director
Honouring The Land And Communities We Serve
The North Bay Cardiac Rehab Foundation respectfully acknowledges that we operate on the sacred, traditional territory of the Anishinaabek Nation, specifically the peoples of Nipissing and Dokis First nations. These lands and waters are protected by the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. We recognize the historic and ongoing stewardship of the First Peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial. As an organization dedicated to heart health, healing, and rehabilitation, we acknowledge that true wellness encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and support the health of all diverse Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across this region.