Working together for better health care

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are new ways of organizing and delivering care that are more connected to people and providers in their communities. OHTs aim to strengthen services locally and to make it easier for patients to get the care they need, when and where they need it. There are 58 OHTs across the province with the goal to ensure that everyone in Ontario can benefit from better coordinated, more integrated care. To learn more about Ontario Health Teams, go to the Ontario Health website.

Key priorities and guiding principles shaping how we improve care and support healthier communities.

Our Impact in Action

Strategic Directions

Guiding our work to improve access, strengthen primary care, and build healthier communities.

Core Values

Accountability, collaboration, respect, sustainability, and transparency guide everything we do.

Health System Goals

Improving patient experience, population health, provider experience, health equity, and system value.

Community Voices

“Being part of the OWFR OHT has been a valuable opportunity to connect and network with other primary care providers. In my role as NP Lead for the OVFHT Gender Affirming Care Program, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with clinicians who either provide or are interested in offering affirming care within their practices. I look forward to continuing to build capacity for gender-affirming care in collaboration with OWFR OHT members and partners.” ~ Krista Kennedy, Nurse Practitioner Ottawa Valley Family Health Team. 

Community Voices

“I'm a PFAC co-chair at Queensway Carleton Hospital. I found it very exciting to be part of the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team at the earliest stages; to be involved in and contribute to the evolution process. It’s been an amazing journey! I'm also a member of PFAC on Ontario Health Team East, and as a patient, family member of patients, and translator for patients with diverse backgrounds, I have a multifaceted interest in healthcare and being part of the solution to the situation we are facing with healthcare. It's great to be here.” ~ Maria Sabaye, Lived Experience Partner.

Community Voices

"My experience volunteering for the OWFR OHT was extremely enlightening, showing me the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary participation in clinical research. The team was fully supportive in every step, and encouraged me to develop a professional skillset that will last a lifetime. The projects from the OWFR directly impact and benefit the region, and I am proud to have been part of such an amazing team." ~ Sarah Whalen, University of Ottawa student.

Community Voices

"Being part of the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team has been a valuable opportunity to collaborate with regional partners around integrated, community-based care. Through OWFR OHT, we’ve strengthened relationships, shared learning, and worked collectively to improve how seniors and adults with complex needs are supported closer to home." ~ Arvind Mohandoss, Executive Director J.W. MacIntosh Community Support Services.

Community Voices

“As a student supporting the (OWFR OHT) and CareTeam project, I had the opportunity to contribute to a central goal of social justice: reducing social inequalities. My experience with  (OWFR OHT) in this project allowed me to better understand the complex challenges faced by older adults, many of whom live alone and on modest incomes. The mentorship and openness allowed me to develop practical skills while contributing to meaningful system improvements.” ~ Marie-Dominique Kouakou, University of Ottawa student.

Community Voices

''Through our partnership with the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, Hôpital Montfort and Santé Montfort have been able to pursue its goal of improving access to French-language primary care for francophones in Ottawa’s west end. This collaboration will help improve access to care for Francophones and strengthen the health of our communities.” ~ Stéphanie Bossé, Santé Montfort.

Community Voices

"Working with OWFR OHT was a truly exciting experience for me. The team was so welcoming and supportive. They gave me a space to speak up, practice new skills, and contribute to a real-world toolkit development. It was inspiring to see how their work creates a better, more connected health care system." ~ Belise Ashimwe Sangwa, University of Ottawa student.

Community Voices

“My time with the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team was incredibly valuable, providing me with hands-on research experience on a project focused on improving integration and alignment across health services. Through consistent mentorship and support, I was able to contribute to key aspects of a multi-phased project while developing skills in project coordination, data analysis, and knowledge translation. The guidance and connections I gained through this experience have been instrumental in shaping my path in health services research.” ~ Julia Menary, University of Ottawa Student.

Let’s Build Healthier Communities — Together

Ottawa West Four Rivers brings healthcare providers, community organizations, and residents together to improve access to care and strengthen local services. Learn more about our work, find support, or get involved in shaping healthier communities.

Our Partners

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation, on whose traditional and unceded territory our communities are located. As we strive for equal partnership in this Ontario Health Team, we acknowledge the need for reconciliation and will actively work to understand and address the individual and systemic harms that impact Indigenous Peoples.

We acknowledge and respect the rights and self-determination of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous communities. We are dedicated to building and sustaining meaningful partnerships grounded in respect, accountability, and trust, collaborating to advance health equity in ways that honour their traditional, cultural, social, and health priorities.​

The OWFR OHT is funded by the Government of Ontario. The views expressed on this website and in its publications are those of the OWFR OHT and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Ontario.