Larger Text
Smaller TextSchizophrenia Service
General Description and Overview
The Schizophrenia Service has a mission to provide expert, specialized mental health care for individuals with Serious Mental Illness. A number of our services focus on those with Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, while others are centralized, multi-diagnostic programs. All of the services work with individuals to achieve their personal goals through symptom reduction and meaningful participation in life, through all stages of recovery.
The program is mandated to serve individuals living in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Brant and Haldimand/Norfolk. Multidisciplinary clinical teams use recovery-oriented, best-evidence practices to deliver exemplary care. Teams are made up of psychiatry, nursing, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, vocational therapy, recreational therapy, and nutrition.
The overarching philosophy of all programs within the Schizophrenia Service is providing the right level of care at the right time to meet individual client needs and support them in their goals. Clinical services focusing on those with Schizophrenia spectrum disorders include both inpatient and outpatient services designed to meet client needs at various stages of illness across the life span. Centralized services work to provide interdisciplinary care to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness from a psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery framework. These centralized services include Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, Vocational Rehab, Recreational Therapy, Homes for Special Care and a Community Treatment Order (CTO) Coordinator.
The Schizophrenia Service is also actively involved in research. We endorse an integrated view where research, clinical service and education work cooperatively to enhance client care. The Service boasts research expertise in the areas of cognition, neurobiology, functional outcome, and pharmacology. Additionally, all of the services are actively involved in education with students from all disciplines. Clinical placements include patient care within a multidisciplinary team, case discussions, educational rounds and in-service training.
Specialty Services or Clinics
- 3 Inpatient Units (B-2, C-2, D-2) located at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Centre for Mountain Health Services
- Transitional Outpatient Program for the Schizophrenia Service (TOPSS) — specialized transitional outpatient care, transitioning from inpatient to community living with bridging to a variety of community care providers. Based out of CMHS.
- Community Schizophrenia Service (CSS) — outpatient clinic in downtown Hamilton
- The Cleghorn Program — Early Intervention program in psychosis located in downtown Hamilton
Centralized, Multi-Diagnostic Services
- Hamilton ACT (HARTS) team
- Hamilton ACT-II team
- Brantford ACT team
- Haldimand / Norfolk ACT team
- CTO Coordinator
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Homes for Special Care
Active Faculty
- Dr. Suzanne Archie
- Dr. H. Arciszewska
- Dr. Henry Bibr
- Dr. Bruce Christensen
- Dr. Peter Cook
- Dr. JoAnn Corey
- Dr. John Deadman
- Dr. Sarah Garside
- Dr. Lindsey George
- Dr. Jeremy Goldberg
- Dr. Michael Kiang
- Dr. Jelena King
- Dr. Stephen List
- Dr. Rod Lough
- Dr. Duncan MacCrimmon
- Dr. Stephanie McDermid Vaz
- Dr. Sandra McNally
- Dr. Heather McNeely
- Dr. Bruce Menchions
- Dr. Natasja Menezes
- Dr. Jane Morgan
- Dr. Ed Rotstein
- Dr. Michal Sikierski
- Dr. Charlene Taylor
- Dr. Mohamad Warsi
- Dr. Albina Veltman
- Dr. Robert Zipursky
Contact Us
- Mrs. Mary Puntillo, Operational Service Manager
Phone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 36266 - Dr. Bruce Christensen, Academic Head of Service
Phone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 36239 - Dr. Peter Cook, acting Clinical Head of Service
Phone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 36423
